Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-08-02
Army Correspondence.
Rrp Housr. Md.. Julr 22d, lsel.

Rt OTAItOn NJ "A NJ, On tuo lltni NuiiuB
which time we were not out of the cars, only
to take dinner nt GAINESVILLE, and cross the
Ohio at Bellair. We lay in the cars until
morning, when we pitched our tents, sta
toned guards and went into camp in earn
est. During the night VIC had two alarms,
both Of which proved false, however. The
regiment turned out promptly, and were in
battle array in throe minutes.
The next morning the regiment was di-
vided, and the Colonel with six companies
went on to the town of West Union. The
two Fremont companies were among the
number left behind The next evening we
wero ordered to march, or rather travel, for
we went in the cars, to tho village Of Oak
land, distance of forty miles by rail, ar
riviug there about Q p NJ, when all the
companies but company F were ordered on
to West Union, and it was detailed to guard
the town and Regimental baggage. The
next morning about A. NJ, the company
was ordered to this point, as the commander
Gen. Hill had received information that a
largo rebel force would pass this way in
their retreat from Laurel Hill. l was left
behind with twenty men to guard baggage
and quartermaster's stores. The boys came
up to this place on double quick, distance
of eight miles. When they arrived they
found the enemy gone, and the sth regiment
filing over a hill half mile distant on the
road which leads from West Union to this
place, in hot pursnst Of them. Then enemy
had been gone about six hours when our
lorces arrived here. They had left in hot
haste, leaving their meat cooking over tho
fire, and the feed Of their horses half eaten.
The road was strewed with all kinds OF
wearing apparel, and after they struck the
mountain largo number of them threw
away their knapsacks, guns, cartridge and
cap boxes, and the road was strewed with
letters torn, and uutorn. Some of the
letters were rather amusing others rather
unchristian. One of them written by a
young lady to her father requested him to
bring her at least three Yankee scalps.-
The pursuit was continued FIVE miles, and
the scouts who were sent ahead returned
and reported the rear of the fugitives only
two miles in advance, when from some
cause, Gen. Hill ordered a countermarch
and return to the Red House, where the
troops lay until eight o'clock, P NJ, when
they were again ordered to make forced
march in pursuit of the enemy. The boys
travelled twelve miles that night, and biv-
ouacked in the road, ate biscuit for break
fast and resumed their march. During the
day, our Quartermaster, assisted by Capt
Tillotson, captured forty-two head of cattle
5e s (. az cid Secesisis;s. That
night the boys had plenty of fresh beef
but no salt or bread. They continued the
pursuit in south-easterly direction to a
place called Greenland somo forty-odd
miles from here. Tho boys say it is ap
propriately named. Our regiment had
left their tents behind, and the first night
were without even a blanket. There Gen
Hill received an order from Gen. Mcclellan
to retrace his steps, as it was useless tc
continue the chase.
On Wednesday evening, having procured
teams by sending out and pressing them
into service, l started for the army. /
stayed at the Red House the the first night
and got nine miles further on the next day,
when l met the advance guard, returning.
The army stopped for the night on tho
North branch of the Potomac, seven miles
from here. That night the boys had a
good supper, the first full meal they had
eaten since they left Grafton. The next
morning we returned to this camp. There
were forty-odd prisoners taken during the
march; our boys took the larger number
Our brigade was composed of the 5th, 18th
goth, 10th, and 9th Ohio Regiments, two
companies of loyal Virginians, and a com
psny Of Pennsylvanians, armed with
Sharp's rifles, who call themselves Snake
Hunters. Our regiment alone, is left here
We have had but three pleasant days
since we have been in the mountains, anG
to-day is moro like a November day in oul
climate thon anything else. The boys arc
all with us, and able to man their rations
except Theodore Foster, who is in Oakland
sick with the lung fever, and B. D. Evans
whom VIC left at Grafton, with relapse o
the measles. We heard from them both
to-day. They are slowly recovering. Their
is a rumor that we will move from here il
day or two. We may and may not.
We could hear the faint roar of cannon
all day yesterday and occasionally through
the night. OF course we were very anxious
to know where it was, knowing that ther'
was hard contested battle being Tough
somewhere. Tonight we bad the pleasure
of learning that the Union forces had ia
ken Manassas Junction, the stronghold ot
the enemy.
We are almost shut out from the worlc
up here. The nearest post office is Grafton
forty-eight miles distant. The Colonel sen
messenger down on Saturday for the mail
and he returned to gladden. the hearts o
many of the boys with letters from home
l, unfortunately, was not of the number
Send us your paper, directed as usual t.
Grafton, Va, and oblige Yours, g. M. F.
Mr.. Zimmerman of our town, who was som
three months since compelled to leave Wester
Virginia, because of his devotion to the Unior
has handed us the following letter, dated
BUcKHANNoN, Va, July %, 1861.
H. J. ZIMMERMAN: Dear Friead:-We no,
have comparative quiet after weeks of excite
nnent and onnression nv mob violence under Nh