Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-12-05
Army Correspondence.
For the Gallipolis Journal.
CAMP SUMMERvILLE. VAL
Nov. 2lst, 1861.

MR. HARPER-Dedr Sir:-Thinking
perhaps something from the 36th might
be Of interest to some of our Gallia
friends, thought to give you a few
items as to its whereabouts. doings,
DC. The 36th is commanded by Col.
Geo. Crook, a West Point graduate,
and is said by Gen. Rosecrans TO be one
of the best Colonels in the service. He
is undoubtedly a man of fine military
attainments, and with all, a perfect
gentleman. He has seen some 10
years service. mostly on the frontiers Of
Oregon and California, and consequent
ly is just the man to command an army
in Western Va. According to special
order no - from Gen. Rosecrans, Col.
Crook commands all the forces in the
vicinity of Cross Lanes and on this
side Of the Gauley river, consisting Of
the 36th, part of the 47th or Wills
tach Regiment and a portion Of the
3oth at Sutton. making in all about
two thousand. We occupy as quarters
the town of Summerville, the county
seat Of Nicholas county, which perhaps
contained at one time about $50 or 800
inhabitants. There are at this time
however, only three families living
here. the rest being all secesh, and
have left for parts unknown. The con-
sequence is we have very comfortable
quarters. Our regiment makes the
fourth, or rather the fourth army that
has quartered here since the war be-
gan. First Tyler was here, then Floyd,
then Rosecrans, and lastly the 36th.--
How long we will remain here depends
entirely upon circumstances, but the
probability is we will make this our
winter quarters. Our entire regiment
is armed with Enfield rifles. We are
also well clothed, and as well fed
The frequent complaints made by some
of the Western Va. regiments about
clothing and food, certainly cannot be
made by ours. And here / would re-
mark that great praise is due our Quar-
ter-master, Mr.. Levi Barbour, for his
untiring efforts in his particular depart
ment. Next to a good Colonel is un-
doubtedly good Quartermaster, and of
a surety we have that. And further
more, think / can safely say, that
with very few exceptions we have No.
1 field and company officers. Our
Col. is putting us through a thorough
course OF drill in which our men are
improving very rapidly. We think we
can make about as good show on dress
parade as the most of regiments that
have been learning no longer than we
have. We have been interrupted con-
siderably in drill by frequent scouting
expeditions which by the way our men
are very fond Of.
We have taken at different times
quite a number Of prisoners, some Of
which represent the county Of Nicho- |
las at Columbus. On several Of these
expeditions powder has been burned
and some blood spilled, but no lives
lost on our part. Several. however,
have been slightly wounded. We are
at times much annoyed by bushwhack-
ers and rebel scouts from the secesh
army, which have often ventured with
in few miles Of us. A few days ago
some l2 or Is cavalry from Meadow
Bluffs came down within Eve miles of
us and took prisoner man by the name
Of Merriman, a mail carrier from
Clarksburg to Gsuley. And 10 connec-
ton with this we received information
that six hundred rebels were in the
neighborhood Of Cranberry Meadows,
in Webster county, some 90 or 80 miles
Northeast of US. The two circum-
stances created considerable excitement.
Consequently six companies, viz: Cap
Isins Taylor, Dunhsm, Holster, Beck
ley, Devol and Stephens were ordered
out under command Of Lieut. Col.
Clark. to follow in that direction and
Il possible clear the scoundrels out
We took three days rations OF bread
and salt in our hayersacks and started
for the enemy's country. We travelled
the FIRST day go miles, to what is called
Beaver Greek, through some Of the
widest and most romantic country II
ever saw, when we eamped for the
night. The neigtborhood in which we
were then in, being all secesb, We
pitched into turkeys, chickens, hogs.
sheep, and in fact everything that could