Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-31
For the Daily State Sentinel
Oar Army COrrespcndencc--Th Eif-
teenth Regiment in Virginia.
CAMP AT CHEAT MOUNTAIN Pass, !
r..lr-

Mn. EDIToR:-Having promised to give you
some account of the movements of the 18th regi.
ment of Indiana volunteers, short period of re
pose now for the first time permits the fulfllment
of the promise.
Nothing of Importance occurred between Indi-
annapolis and Clarksburg worthy of mention, ex-
cept the very kind reception given us by the citi-
zens of Cincinnati From Clarksburg, which
point we had reached chiefly by railroad travel,
we commenced our march on foot, and taking it
at first moderately, because of the necessity of
gradually inuring our men to the exercise and
also because a more rapid march would have left
our baggage train in the rear, we reached Buck
hannon in two days and half, where camping on
fne hill side. we closed the evening OF the 10Th
of July 10y dress parade
Here we received information that great bat
tie was expected near Roaring Creek, the head
quarters Of Gen. McClellan's division Much to
~ouF- satisfaction we received orders to Join the
main body, and by an early start, leaving all our
heavy baggage, We succeeded in making twenty
miles, thus reaching the Generals encampment
by six p. NJ, without much over fatigue to the
men, who were eager to be at once ordered into
Rich Mountain to take part i'll the sharp work we
saw going ON. We were, however, ordered TO
sleep on our arms, and in the morning were all
directed to prepare ourselves for the continuance
OF the battle. When ready to march intelligence
was sent into the General that his brilliant victory
(Of which the details have doubtless reached you)
complete, and We were marched on in pursuit
Of the enemy, passing by their tents fortifca-
tons, captured artillery wagons prisoners, killed
and wounded secessonists, &c, entering Beverly
without opposition in the rear of the 18th Indiana
preceded by the artillery and squad of Chicago
cavalry.
From this position, which was carefully pick.
etel during the night. part of the division in
cluding our brigade under Gen. SLEIGH. OF Ohio
was advanced, while the other brigade of the di-
vision remained to receive some 900 prisoners
who. finding themselves arrested in their pro-
gress onward toward Laurel Hill by Gen. Morris
commani and pursued by Gen. McClellan's troops
in the rear, surrendered uncOndtionalv, though
they afterwards expressed the opinion that they
expected little, if any, clemency. Gen. McC,el-
anS policy il, by treating all the inhabitants well
who are malcOntents without arms in their hands,
to disabuse their minds Of the impression that
Northern men are monsters COMM. to destroy the
resistess with fire. swcrd and atrocities Fortling
river near Hntt0nvIlle, the bridge of which the
enemy had burned, we were marched in hourly
expectation OF overtakng those rebels, who hld
taken the route tlsough Cheat Mountain Gap,
and whom scouts could occasionally see.
Here we camped for the night, and learned next
morning that the hying enemy had been reached
through n different Gap by the Indiana troops
under Coils. Dumont and Milroy and that Gen.
GArnett was shot near Cheat river by man in
Capt. Rabb'S company, number of prisoners be
ing secured at the same time.
The information which we obtain regarding
events that transpire elsewhere than Immediately
around us is so meagre that no doubt more re
liable intelligence reaches you directly than can
be furnished thus indirectly.
Our boys are generally in good health and
spirits. Some will occasionally complain of short
ness of provisions but latterly they have really
been fasting We are still, however, without
our tents, and as in these mountains it rains
nearly every day and is quite coOlin consequence
of the altitude, probably some 5000 feet above
the ocein, the fact that they have slept nights
consecutjvey in the open air, without grumbng
is much to their credit. They are anxious to he
ordered on, but as this is nearly the limit of the
Western division, it is supposed we shall be re
quired to aid in fOrtifying and occupying the
strongholds from which the enemy has just beer
driven.
Like good soldiers our bows will almost univer
sally cheerfully fulfill the duty assigned, even
should it be that which volunteers most dislike
the less active service of maintaining our posi-
ton, instead of the more attractive duty whicl
leads on to new enterprise.
| have thus endeavOred as far az consistent
with rules and regulations" which forbid those
in camp to enter much into detail or to offe
opinions. to furnish n few items for friends a
home who may be interested in the welfare of
The l5TH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEERS