Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-06-13

bB~To GRAFTON AND BAcK.-In COM
pany with several of our citizens, we avail
ed ourself of the opportunity to see our
troops by the excursion train run to Grafton
on Sunday by the Bait. & Ohio II. r. Co.
We left Wheeling at about 6 clock, A. NJ,
and reached Grafton little after 10. We
had good opportunities of seeing the devo-
tion to the Union of the people along the
line Of the Rail Road, and we are free to say
that IT there are people anywhere in the
country that are true to the flag they may be
found in North Western Virginia. At every
station and at the humble homes of her
people the Old Stars and Stripes were thrown
out. The trains are stopped, except for the
transportation of troops and supplies for the
army, and as these pass through they are
greeted at every point with the waving of
handkerchiefs and the liveliest demonstra-
.tions of satisfaction. The troops are scattered
all along the line Of the Road from Wheeling
to Grafton; but not until the traveller reach
es Warrington, and the Burnt Bridge Dis
trict, does he see many of the soldery col
lected. AT the latter place he comes upon
an encampment of part of the 10th Ohio
Regiment, with their neat white tents pitch
cd at the left side of the road, and the "boys"
as lively as though they were at wedding.
The train was stopped here few moments,
and was Immediately surrounded by the
boys, asking for newspapers. Ofcourse,
all that were in the train were shelled out to
them, cigars We're thrown out without stint,
and the passengers were sorry they had not
brought more. The bridge destroyed at
this point was reconstructed by the 10th
Ohio Regiment, and is as strong as ever
Our West Virginia neighbors think this the
hest regiment they have in their midst.
Our State may be proud of such men.
When we reached Grafton we found the
hills white with the tents of the troops.
Our party procured pass, through Dr.
Thoburn, Surgeon the Virginia Regiment,
and set. off for the camp of the 18th Ohio
Regiment, expecting to find Capt Wallace s
company. When at the camp, however, we
learned Capt. Wallace's company was at
Phillippi We looked around this camp,
and then passed over to that of the 10th
Regiment. From thence VIC went to the
summit Of the hill on the North side of the
town. Here We found the encampment of
the Cleveland Light Artillery, Col Barnett,
and that of the 9th Indiana Regiment, Col.
Crittenden.
The entire force at Grafton amounts to
about 1000 men-at Phillippi to about 5000,
while there are small detachments scattered
all along the road from Wheeling to Grafton.
AT Glover's Gap is Company B, 10Th Ohio
Regiment. At Warrington Company A,
of the same Regiment. At Burnt Bridge
Company f, 10th Ohio Regiment. At Fair
ntthe Rough and Ready Rifles, lst Virginia
Regiment. A part of Col. Kelly's Virginia
Regiment is stationed at Rowlesburg, (Cheat
River grade,) 25 miles beyond Grafton. The
whole of this force is under command of
Brigadier-Goneral T. A. Morris, of Indiana,
who, with his Brigade Major, Love, and
Aid, Capt Hascall, are all graduates of West
Point, and experienced army officers An.
other tower Of strength to the army at thi:
point is the gallant Capt Benham, Of the
Corps of Typographical Engineers, U. s
Army.
While at Grafton the llth Indiana Regi
ment (Zouaves) under command of Col
Lewis Wallace, passed through, on its wa.
to Cumberland Nd, to which point the roat
is now open. This is the crack regiment Of
the State. They are splendidly equipped
being furnished with the Long Range Rifle
fine uniforms, knapsacks, canteens, haver
sacks, and everything else calculated to max
soldier comfortable. Forty women, dress
ed in neat uniform, accompany the regi
ment as nurses.
Adjutant-General Darlington reach e.
Grafton on Sunday, and it is to be hoped
for the credit of our State, that he will con
trive some means to make our Ohio reg
ments more comfortable than they are q
present They are but lily provided for, an
poorly clothed. Many of them left home
Of ease and affluence to defend their countr
in the "tented field" 1t is shame tn,
q great State like Ohio-a State that hs
offered its money without stint-should sufft
soldiers to be treated as these at Grafton al
treated. There is gross incompetency an
nismanagement somewhere. We do nc
conceive that all the fault lies with the Stat
authorities Men are suffered to have con
mand ofsome regiments that have been SUI
cessful politicians, but are totally untitled ft
the field. As an instance Of this we nee
but refer to the 18th Regiment, Col. Al
drews. The 10th Regiment, Col. Irvine,
provided for, in every respect, the same q
the 18th, but it is different looking reg
ment. But, Notwithstanding all this, tn
boysare fullofpatriotic ardor and enthusiasm
and "spoiling for fight" May they a
return safely to their homes, when the strii
Is over, and enjoy the fruits of their privs
tions and hardships.