The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-11-27
Army spondence.
CAMP KEYS, RoMNEY. Va /,
October 30th, 1861.

old friends in Monroe county. In the
future I will try and repay them for my
past neglect.
I suppose you have already been in.
formed that the Graysville and Bethel
boys of old Monroe county took an active
part in the engagement at this place,
on the evening of the 26th ult. But TO
hear OF the same action from all old citi.
zen whose company hail from the old
honored county, would afford more pleas
ure and satisfaction to our wives, children.
brothers, sisters and our old friends in
general than all the honor that may have
been given by other parties. a
+ According to order, we struck our tents
at Camp Kelly, Grafton, and stored them
in the cars as tidy as we could under the
circumstances this was the night OF the
23rd, which proved to be very dark and
rainy. We also embarked for some point
unknown to many of the men, and it re-
quired the patience Of Job in answering
ths many questions in relation to where
we were going.
The morning of the oath found us at
Oakland. all in good health, and anxious
for brush. At I O'Clock The iron horse
give the shrill whistle for all to be aboard.
| in Eve minutes Wa were on our way to
Newcreek station; we arrived there ~
o'clock A. NJ, and laid over there until
The evening of the 25h. We received
orders to be ready to march at midnight,
at l o'clock our tents fell, and ut the
hour appointed our column moved, we,
continued our march during the night,
the morning of the 26th came and we
were at the Clay Pike. Gen. Kelley
joined US here, and commanded in person.
Lieut. Col John G.. Kelley had command
of our Regiment. at this point, we were
Joined by the 4th Ohio Regt., the 9th
Ohio. and detachment of the 2nd Va.
Regiment. Our Regiment the 7ths Va,
took the center; at 6t o'clock the order
to march was given and promptly obeyed.
We continued our march to Patterson's
c:eek. IL miles from Romney. here We
halted enc hour for rest, we then resumed
the march for the hot. bed of Secesb.
when within four and half miles of ROM
aey we had reception, and sneh one
none of my boys ever had before IL the
history of their lives. Yet they behaved
like soldiers. This was about O'Clock
ta the afternoon; the result Of the frs,
loHset vas lively exchange of shots, which
tcontinued unit! our guns silenced The
tcebel's batteries, and they retreated back
TO their strorg Eolds on the heights al
the town of Romney
| We continued to follow the rebels at .
double quick march, when within one mile
lof the town we cane in view of the bold
front of their pieces once more. Atthi.
point our forces could scarcely form foul
Tiles in the road. it being very narrow
The mountains on our left. the Potomac OF
Dur right, you may form some idea in re
gard to The unfavorsble position we oc
rupied. Their pieces had full commanG
of the road that We occupied; yet firm ,ht
| boys stood under their CALLING Gre fol
lsome half an hour At this crisis of tht
engagement their guns threw shells among
Ius, and killed one poor fellow and wound
led four Others, (which were memhers o.
our 7th regiment. Happily for my com
lpany none ofaus received any injury ex
cept being minus a few knapsacks which
the boys unslung at the commencement o
action. The order came at last to charge
npon the batteries at double quick. NJ
sooner said than done. The boys yelled
whooped, aud the charge was made. auo
our good old guRs q l2 FOUNDER done
taoble execution with the aid of Capt
: Keys Company of Cavalry :.
This company Of Cavalry is nobl,
set of boys and should be proud of ID i
{ noble Ca,tair. The result of the charg e.
WAS total route of the rebels, leaving
,hpir artillery for Uncle SANS service
q d ths,ent;rs store, was feft, and ,hsil
federal forces took possession Of hem
We are here and have Romney' in oul
possessi5u, We have considerable forcs
here now. ~ SOS ta4a' 3tel
The number of men engaged in the
action was estimated at two Thousand
The rebel forces not go strong in number
, hut in forti6cation and position they have
a decided advantage. But the eight i.
over and the result of it have been pic
tured In more glowing style than an
fcapable of doing. i leave the engage
: ment and come at once to the condition
of my company. aSa sd -.
4 At this time We have twelve cases o
msasIee, eli doing we'll and out of danger
Iu all eighteen on the sick list--all re.
cvering none dangerous. Iu the cloth
! ting line we have abundance. My boys
have the great coats, blankets. aad the
J,.ct article t,f all ia tha rum hlan kat