Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-10
Our Army correspond enCe.
LITTER FROM THE FIFTH REGI.
MRNT.
CAMP CHURCH, Va,
SeDtember G. 1861.

CAMP CHURoH, Va,
September 6, 1861.
To he Editors Of The Daily Prca
We were detached from our regiment about
two weeks since to guard telegraph COM
pany who are engaged putting up line from
Weston to Sutton. We came through as far
as Bulltown, when we were ordered TO stop
until further word from General Roscrans, ss
fight was apprehended at Sutton.
While at Bulltown the Bush Whackers
were. thick along the road from Bulltown to
Sutton and Glenville, and hardly a day
passed but some of our men were killed or
wounded while guarding trains or carrying
dispatches Our Captain, Theophilus Gaines,
on the start Of eur expedition put out party
of scouts on each side of the road, who have
kept them from disturbing the telegraph
company and our wagons. We had not been
out long before the Bush Whackers found
they were taken on more equal grounds,
their squirrel rifles being no account when
Uncle Sans boys could bring their muskets
to bear on them. The line was cut once, but
the threat Captain Gaines sent back to the
neighborhood was heralded far and wide
for miles on each side of the road, so that it
has been carefully watched since for fear.
This country is, or has been red hot Seces-
sion from South of Harrisburg, but while the
Federal troops are here they are all Union.
some who have taken an active part in firing
from the bushes, have been sent under the
ground. So far as | can learn this is the
first company that has come this far South
of ofClarksburg without being fired into.
l never saw the like for mountains, trees
end underbrush; the latter is 80 thick that a
| person in the road can not see through them
| twenty feet. The first night we were at Bull
town, dispatches came by the line to be for
warded by Express to Sutton. One ofour Ser
| geants and one Corporal, the former familiarly
known as "Slab," and the latter as "Nigger,"
were chosen from our number as the bearers
! The road was very dangerous, an express
| rider having been shot only the day before
! They were to ride it through that night, the
distance being sixteen miles, and return the
next day at twelve o'clock. We hardly ex-
pected to see them again, shook hands and bid
them farewell, and they started about eight
o'clock in the evening. They were armed
with Colts revolver each, and mounted on
the wagon horses. They met with no one
until about seven miles out, when two men
came up a dark lane on horseback. They
came out so suddenly as to be within eight
or ten feet before they we're seen; but as soon
as our boys saw them, they let drive ball,
which missed its intended mark. The riders
then came up, and "Slab" ordered them on
in front. This way they Travelled for five
miles, without word being exchanged,
when, on coming to place where the woods
MSlC InOlo iSNoli bnCJ uuou W eSCdpo
but "Slab" and "Nigger" were little toe
quick for them. ''Slab' sent the oldest one
reeliDg at the first shot, and the second fin
ished him. "Nigger" was not quite so sue
cessful, for he only wounded his man, who
got too far into the woods to follow. We
heard few days afterward, however, that ht
died from the effect of his wound. They
came back safely next day, after having fin
ished their business. l tell you we were glat
tn them The hOrap tha oldest rahal rods
was found next day with blood ON the sad
die, and it happened that "Nigger" rode 6
horse of the same color. The news wa;
brought into camp by an old lady, and VIZ
aSe SeE NOT % na w oF gfnS
all fears.
How long we will remain here am unable
to say, but if you will send us a few papers
directed to "Clarksburg, Va, in care of Cap
tain Gaines, Company F, Fifth Regiment, O
"" they will be forwarded by the first ex
press this way. CHARLIE.