Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-08-14
Camp CORRESPONDENTS.

NA ASNAaiE NlCDCNh AAi
ridge between the Little Kanawha and thu
Liz River. We remained there till tn,
afternoon Of July 9th, when we marched
in a heavy rain to Flat Woods, six mile.
distant. Here We found where there hat
been a rebel camp. 1 should judge from
the appearance Of the camp, that their forcC
numbered about 400. Accompany o fcaval
~ was stationed in the woods which skirt.
ed the road on which VIC came. We haC
heard Of this force some time ago, and
should have routed them before, but wished
them to collect in sufficient force to Civ,
Us battle before we attacked them. Wher
We were within ten or fifteen miles of their
camp, they became frightened and disheart-
ened; some desiring to give US battle, 9TH
ers wishing to 60 their homes as a means
to save themselves from our troops. Al
last they all agreed, with the exception o.
two companies, to fall back on Sutton
These two companies, when ordered tc
march, brought their guns to an aim and
refused, saying they would as soon die in
a fight at hat point, as to leave their homes
for the Southern army. The commandant
finally permitted them to act their own
pleasure. They Immediately dispersed to
the hills and undoubtedly remained there
till alter we had left tie country. At
Flat Woods they had erected some fortif-
cations, but as a general thing they were
weak and untenablc. They Lad a sort Of
rough shed constructed for their men, made
by setting slaves up end wise, which they
had split out of timber; the roof also be-
ing made Of the same material. They had
straw thrown in for a place to sleep. These
sheds looked more like a pig pen, than a
place for men to inhabit. We saw where
they had written their names on the sides
of trees. These r@ascals had taken every
thing in the line of food from cattle down
to chickens. Every orchard was stripped
Of its halfgroBn fruit. and every Oat field
was destroyed to feed their cavalry horses.
Every Union man in the vicinity was rob-
bed, and compelled to fee to the woods for
safety. Such is the state Of things in the
T;cinity where these devils encamp.
We rem2incd at Flat Woods till Sunday
afternoon, when we struck our tents and
marched to Sutton, q distance of S or 10
miles. There ne were to await orders.
The village is small one, containing a.
bout 500 inhabitants and the county site
Of Braxton county. 1t is situated on the
bank of Elk River at the base Of the hills.
The hills rising abruptly at a distance of
from GO to 100 yards from the river. On
the uorth side of the village, on the top of
the first range of hills, is a beautiful table
land containing about a thousand acres,
with 4 second range Of hills rising abrupt
ly as the first, as 4 back ground, while
the even slope of the table land is here
and there relieved by brook. vending its
way through a rayine to the valley below.
It Is q little remarkable, but no less true,
that these hills contain numerous springs
of very cool water, at 4 distance of 200
feet above the river. There is a fine
spring directly in the centre of the ground
where We encamped, which was extensive
to supply the whole camp with
drinking water. The only entrance to our
camp, was over a rough road which led up
a rarinc. from the village. The 4th artiI-
lery, Capt. Mack, Was stationed across the
river on the hills commanding the road
towards Summersville, also two Virginia
companies. On Monday our company
commenced an entrencbment, three miles
out on the above road, while the otker COM
panies we're at work on breast works for
the guns. The usual manner of construct
ing Notifications for cannon, isfrst to build
breast work on which to mount the can (
non, and below this, directly ia front, to
build a rihe-pit in which to station sharp
shooters to protect the men working the
guns. These pits arc generally built in a
circular form 50 as to command the flank
Of the battery. By this means the enemy
arc prevented from picking off the men at
the guns. Tuesday l vas directed to con-
Struct q rife pit on the South East side of
the encampment, SC, as to command piece
Of woods on the side of the opposite hills,
and also'the road leading down the river.
worked on this fertilization till Thurs
lay night, building the angle exposed to
he road. strong enough to resist artillery.
The structure was five feet high and from
even to twelve feet thick, I60 feet long.
As l am writing, Capt. AsPer is waving
'ur flag from a point of rocks 1000 feet
lbOye US, and only J mile from US. Our
boys work like heroes. They 60 out as
,heerfully with the shovel and pick as with
he musket We built a number of hun
lrel yards Of Notifications while at SUIT
on. $4,000 men could never have taken
,ur force, stationed as we were behind our
,n~trenchments. They would have had to
lttack US in front, and but one way of
'eaching US even from that direction; VIZ:
~ the way Of the narrow road, and our
,uns played directly upon it. We made
t a very strong point, as We expected tie
emain for along time.
The Elk River is the finest stream of