Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-08-22

Spring, and the 9Th Ohio Regiment rebuilt it
Al every briGgc ofany consequence dotaohmcn.
Of soldiers was statianod 10 guard by them we
were greeted with rousng cheers a. We passed -
felt sleepy and tired as night approached, and
soon found relief In refreshing sleep.
Natures sweet rcstorer,"
ana did not awake until morning, when I nsccr
taincd that VIC were Mt Clarksburg, having passcd
through Grafton during the night, changing our
course from South east to Southwest. Clarks-
burgh is the county scat Of Harrison county, and
Is 22miles Southwest OF Grafton, on tic Parkcrs
burg branch Of the Baltimore a. Ohio Il. r. It is
but n small place, although it has been talked of
as Capital for New Virginia. We encamped
here in meadow, the property Of rank Scccs
sonist, right opposite his mansion, as he occupies
nice brick building, but he Is now under arrest
Clarksburg was sometime ago threatened to be
attacked by Gov. Wise, but the Indiana boys had
everything in readiness for giving him warm re.
ception, when the gentleman failed to call. Our
troops had breastworks thrown up on high hill
close TO town, ard IL would have been almost i'm.
possible to dislodgc them. Our stay at Carks
burg WAS brief. The next day after arriving thcrc
we started on a march for Weston, % miles south
This was on the Sabbath day, and whilst our
friends at home were resting from the labors of
the week, or probably attending the House of
God for religious instruction, we were tramping
along Virginia road, fatigued, and the pcrspira-
ton streaming from every pore. We travelled
II miles thatday. campcd that night in meadow,
and the day following reached Weston about
noon. We encampcd ON n rising piece of ground
little to the south of Weston, and commanding
view of the village, at which place we still re-
main. Weston is but n small place. although the
county scat of Davis county. and is situated
amongst the hills, on the West Fork OF the Monon-
gahoa River. This has become place of some
note since the commencement of the present diff
culties, although it is, or, | think, has been,
quiet and retired little place, with no sort of
munication with other points except such as is
furnished by the public highway. A telegraph
was in process of construction between Weston
and Clark sburgh at the time of our march; it has
since been completed, and is now being extended
onward to Sutton in Braxton county, and probably
will be to Gauley's Bridge, 80 miles south ofherc.
The Legislature some time ago passed an act
for the establishment of a Lunatc Asylum at this
place. The foundation has been partly laid, and
by appearance. it will be an extensive building,
when completed. Work is now suspended, in
consequence of existing troubles. 1t appears to
me that this was an act of unexamplcd foresight
in the WStcreS of the "Old Dominion for an
institution of this kind would be most appropr-
ate place for good many of the prominent char
actcrs of this State who have figured in institutng
the present National discord. Money to the
amount of S27, 600 did lay here in the bank to be
applied to the construction of this building, but
by order of Governor Pierpont, it was removed to
Wheeling and deposited in place of safety, for
fear the disciples of Floyd might wish to take a
lesson of instruction. The 7th Ohio Regiment
under Col. Tyler, were the first Union troops that
entered this part of the country, coming about the
last of June. Secessionists were quite numerou.
previous to their arrival, although, at the election
in May the county went Union. A good man,
of the ScceShers have since taken the oath, Will,
others have seeded from the community, "lcavin!
their country for their country's good"
After being here l2 days, until last Saturday
40 from Company G., and the same number from
Company II, were detailed to go on a scoutin.
expedition about 80 miles south of this, and ha,
the fortune to be amongst the number 1t wa
reported that some 80 or 60 Rebels had n rcndez
vous somewhere in the edge of BraXton county
amongst the mountains, at>thc residence of an oil
Scccssionist. They were seen on Sunday at
O'Clock, and we confidently expected to captur
them. Saturday aften or we started from Weston
and travelled strai ght ahead until after midnight
Only stopping to cook supper. We travelled nca
20 miles, and lay by all day Sunday, but sent
man ahead to obtain information; he rcturne
about O'Clock in the afternoon and the compan
Immediately thereafter prepared to push forwarJ
We had gone some or miles, when we captur
ed two old Secrssonists who were watching Us
and took them along. We went ahead until abou
10 or | O'Clock at night, over miserable road
proceed the remainder of the way @ niles owe
a most miserable road uphill, and the most of tn
way SO dark You could not distinguish persOl
before you; so dark, indeed that we were some
times obi ged to catch hold of each others knap
sacks to keep together. About | or 2 O'Clock il
the morning we surrounded the house, or rendcz
vous, and there lay on our army until daylight
when we closed in; but much to our disappoint
ment and chagrin, the bird had flown, but the mes
, was warm, for have every reason to believe tina
the Rebels had left but u hort time before, the,
being warned by Il son of one of our prisoners o
} our approach. We Immediately went buck t,
our wagons, and, after resting until noon, VT
started on our return MS we had but day
ratons with us. We got back Tuesday (ycstcr
, day. afternoon, after 3 days absence, marchn,
in that time over GO miles, through very hilly
| country, poor roads, and mostly quite muddy
bringing with us tour rank Secessionsts who hay
been acting as scouts or messengers for the Rebel
What disposition will be made Of them, am uIl
| able to say.
! have written quite lengthy letter, but fea
not an interesting one. | could extend this t.
double its already voumnous size if l shoul
give You every hing in detail, but, for fear bcn
tedious, will cut this short soon. You must cx
cuse poor writing, and my want Of system, bu
, when you will take in consideration the fact tina
| am obliged to squat flat on the ground, to us
my knee for Il writing g-dcsk, and piece of papc
Tor porttuho and not beng gifted with remark
ably descriptive powers, the result would not per
, haps meet the wishes of many If get time,
will write soon again My health has been ex
eel lent, and feel in good spirits, at present. L
my friends in Little Holiness" | tender my bcs
respects, and would say to them, if they wish t
, show their friendship for the soldier, to write t
him frequently.
Yours Truly, &c,
CHARLES HAY.
Company II, 23d Regiment.