Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-10-16

Jenkins 1t extends from Little Guyan
dotte, to a point opposite Miller's Port
Ohio, distance of eight miles. 1t is
much finer farm than that rascal deserves
He is in command of 6Ody of cavalry
but has done nothing to deserve a grca
reputation. The mention of his nam
strikes terror to the hearts of many peopl'
of Western Virginia. He was at the bat
tie of Scarry, and gave the order to charge
but his men would not obey the order, un
less he would lead them. He has, howev
er. the reputation of having some bravery
A detachment of his men, made charge
on company of the KY regiment, neal
Charleston, short time since, and scat.
tered them, taking 25 prisoners. Jenkins
wife is very bitter on the Union troops.
Near Maysville, VIC met feet of boat:
transporting the S4th Ohio regiment,
These men look as if they would make good
soldiers if they we're under good discipline.
They were noisy and rough; cheering vO-
ciferOusly at the sight of every slight DEM
onstration on shore. Three months service
in Western Virginia, will tend to cool their
ardor.
The village of Portsmouth looks very
much deserted. There appeared to be but
very little business doing in the town.
There was not boat at the landing, or
any sign of activity. We arrived at Gin
cinnati at about . o'clock, P NJ, of Mon
day, in a heavy rain storm. A large
crowd met US at the leYee, as they had al
ready received the information of our COM
ing. The friends Of Col. Lowe, took charge
of his remains, and Immediately sent them
to the place. of his former residence, which
believe, is Batavia; though for a short
time previous to his having entered the ar
my, he lived at Xenia, Ohio.
Cincinnati, like all other places which 1
have seen, has the appearance of being
very dull, in a business point of view.
There seems to be the same amount of a.
musement as ever,-the people appearing
to be quite as merry as in former days
There we're some anxious faces at the boat
upon our arrival, but outside of that, saw
little depression in the spirits Of the peO-
pie. At the levee, numerous boats are tied
up, with nothing to do. Probably one
half of the boats which have hitherto been
employed on the Ohio river, are now lying
idle. The appearance of the levee remind
ed me of passage in I. Buchanan Reeds
poem, entitled, The Closing Scene -
The old old sea, as one in tears
Comes with its foaming lips,
And knocking at the vacant piers,
Calls for its long lost, multitude of
skips.
There are a number of boats employed
by the government, which gives some ac-
tiVity to trade. A large amount of army
stores are sent from this point up and down
the river. If it were not for the large a.
mount of labor, which the government
furnishes the poorer class Of people, there
would be a great amount of idleness, and
consequent misery.
CHARLESTON, Va, Sept 90, 1861
Since writing the above, we have suffered
some degree of hardships, not however on
account of cur enemies, but from food
which suddenly swept over this valley.
The Kanawha river commenced rising on
the afternoon of the 9th, ..and by dark had
gained an elevation of Is feet Last eve
ming it had risen, full 45 feet,-l0 feet
higher than it has been for eighty years.
In the lower part of Charleston, the water
was as high as the upper story of the hOu-
ses. Women and children could be seen
on the hOuse-tops, begging of those on land
to save them. The boats were kept run
ming all day, on the 2Sth, rescuing these
unfOrtunates from their perilOus positions.
Many houses were seen going down the
river. On the top of one of them, was a
man crying for help, but the current was so
swift, that it was impossible to go to his
rescue. Fragments of buildings, and ma
chinery from the salt works, above, were
seen floating down. The entire salt works
are perfect wreck. Not a building re-
mains standing, The Kanawha valley is
one desolation. For the first time since
we have been in Charleston, the people
have shown some interest in our welfare.
The regiment was engaged ali day yester-
day, in rescuing lives and saving property.
Finally the water came into our encamp-
ment; when We were compelled to look to
our own interests. The people generously
invited some of the officers to take up their
quarters in their houses. This we deemed
very kind. after what we had done for
them To-day, the people are not as indie
pendent, by one half, as they were three
days ago. If armies viii not conquer them,
the clements will.
AS am writing, there is steamboat
noOred, nearly in front of the house and
directly over the street.
Our Chaplain and myself are very CON-
fOrtably located in room provided for US
BY a secession family. The gentleman
who formerly resided here, is Captain in
The rebel army. -