Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-09-18
Camp Correspondence.
September 8, 1861.

l. Camp Correspondence.
CHEAT MOUNTAIN, VA,
September 8, 1861.
CHRONICLE FRIENDs-The oath Ohio
is the advance arm towards Central Vir'
ginia from La Belle River, and Co. F is
the advance guard of that Regiment
y 'twere not fitting to say how many miles we
: are on towards Staunton-but cas- ting the
eye on map of Virginia let it rest on Wheel
ing Paramount, Grafton, We bster, Phil
, lippi and BealingtOn, then ri sing the Lau-
rel Hill range find on its Southeastern
: slope Beverly, still beyond, nesting in a
lovely valley, Huttonsyille, the blue peaks
farther on ar, the Cheat; (cheater, cheat
est up them we marched and now encamP,
for what purpose and in what manner in
due time 1 may write you, one thing is
certain we do not intend that Lee shall
through this route lead his army to win
ter upon the Scioto or Muskingum as some
rebel writers predict. Brigadier General
Cox guards the more southern pike and
passes, at the same time perhaps slowly
advancing towards StauntOn-I say slow
ly-shOuld write creep, fer amid these
mountain ranges ten fold force must ap-
proach with caution to new positions, as
the topography of this region admits of
vast defensive power.
At one o'clock Sunday morn, Aug. 25th,
Co. F, struck their tents, bid farewell to
rail guarding for the time being, and fill
ing up some four cars sped to Clarksburgh,
where with Co. B, received six days IA
tiOns, left John Supple as Hospital Stew
ard, Drixler in the Ipartermaster's de-
partment young Lane at the depot with
papers that will enable him to ret Urn home
in couple of weeks, took aboard See sTeant
Williamson who looked thin from a thretH /
weeks sickness at hospital, two snorts
from Mr.. Locomotive and away to Web
ster, leave cars to rest under big ash
whilst Joe Williams gets up a good din
ner prior to our afternoon march of four I
miles and half, the COmmissary avails Z
himself of our presence to send along sew 6
enteen teams for which the two companies
made strong escort.
Mondays early morn found us ready for
the mountains beyond, feeling fine after the
open bivOuac (tOO much trouble to pitch 1
tents unless it rains) yet ali feeling that
knapsacks stood in the way of nOn-fatigue.
As we fled on to the pike, advance II
guard-fx bayOnet-prime-d dOublequick +
march, sent Orderly Brooks with twelve n
stalwart six footers forward some hundred
yards, whilst this individual moved to the t.
front as conducting guide to the division Y Y
which marched by the right flank with the r; r
head-wagoner as pioneer. 81
At ten o'clock we rounded the nights
overlooking and commanding Phillippi- y
here the advance swept along at "charge, "
bayOnet," Brooks finding time to shout h
back 'yOnder's where the Artillery gave Sc
hem fits" as his eye caught the position :. y
which the Geneva and Cleveland guns oc-
'upied as they sent their skies and twelves k,
INTO the rebels encamped below them, it al
vas here that Col. Kelly was wounded, o.
reported dead) he is now in command of -
he division of Grafton,-we rested for din E,
her mile beyond the town, which showed
he marks of bullet shower. The infan-
ry came too late to reap many prisoners, be
'ut you remember they got the baggage, 70
&c. of the entire Sesh Regi- ~ ~
nent. Once more refreshed we wound ~
lowly over the hills leading to the Laurel 90,
angc, many feet becoming sore, all KNAPP tn
acks weighing. "star. how do vou feel -, liz
all right, but this cOnsarned pack weighs
tun!" night found US at the foot of Lau- 90
el Hill as alike at the base of strong NJ
'OsitiOn near BealingtOn, from which the WI
ebels retreated after skirmish which &C
Tould have prolonged general battle but 81
Or their backward movement ultimately ba
nding in the Rich Mountain victory which hi
crippled them up. Another IN
ay and We are beyond the great hill and &c &c
itch tents at Beyerl y where a couple of
legiments are stationed. Our encamp- on
lent afforded a fine view of the Rich de
fountain fighting ground. Recruited by co
late start we logged on, leaving William s,' w.
On and New Jersey Hill at the HOspi- he
Al, with Turkey" Smith driving our am ha
ulance, he done me good turn by taking on
~ OvercOat-this day the pike wound along an
be valley some two miles in width, most - -
plendid level farming land, it should have hi,
,emed with thrifty settlers and thriving we
,wns have dotted the road, but not SO, MI
Notwithstanding the good pike the march IN
egan to tell upon us, those knapsacks how an
,rribly they weigh down, "halt !" would on
rop hundred and ninety men, quick as or:
shot, fat on their backs, rest to sore feet, de,
st to lame shoulders, to chafed loins and WI WI
lighs, how weary many were, you of the the
rave 18th, you of the gallant 9TH, you for
ave tested its toll, you know of its wea- hi.
: miles, yet how soon two days in Camp his
stores US, finding US perhaps stronger Cio
an before, muscles tOughened, the tread uu
.mer, spirits livening up from the grand ma
II of surrounding peaks and way down
the valley" which, tOresume our tramp, ]
: left on the fifth day and commenced me: