Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-26
Our Army Correspondence.
CAMP McGINSIs, Cumberland, Nd,
Iune IL 1891

but have been kept so busy attending to military
duties, that l could scarcely find time to eat and
sleep, much less to write. We have been living
under constant excitement since we left Evans
vile. The enthusiasm and hospitality manifested
for us at Terre Haute and indianapolis, only
seemed to increase at every station until after
had passed Cincinnati. From Cincinnati to Bell
air, although there were crowds at the stations
who greeted us with cheers, yet there were but
few manifestations of hospitality, and our haver
sacks, which had been so plentifully supplied
with eatables by our Indiana friends, afforded us
great comfort, and were soon emptied. We
passed Xenia about III o'clock at night, and
fund quite crowd at the depot, mostly ladies,
who bestowed upon the boys many fond, sweet
kiss. We relished them immensely, and attribu-
ted such affectionate actions more to the dark
ness of the nigh: than our good looks. After
good nights rest at Bellair, We crossed the river
at 6 o clock on Sunday morning, and with three
cheers and tiger" placed feet for the first
time upon the enemy's soil Our train moved off
at 9 o'clock and reached Cumberland about 4
O'Clock next morning. Quite contrary to our ex-
pectations the people of Virginia along the route,
exhibited stronger and more earnest Union feel
ing than we witnessed in eastern Ohio. Crowds
of women and children were assembled at the
stations, and sang the "Star- Spangled Banner,
"Red, White and Blue" and showered us with
boquets. The scenery along the route through
the mountains was indeed beautiful, and afforded
a rich treat to US Hoosiers, who had been accus-
toned to the prairie lands of the West.
Our reception at Cumberland much
better than we had expected. The Union men
were rejoiced to see US, and exhibited the most
generous feelings. What few secessionsts were
there, have become strong Union men publicly,
and those who had become lukewarn by having
their prejudces excited, soon as they learn our
real sentiments, agree with us in every respect,
and are good Union men.
Wehad some difficulty in procuring a suitable
camp. and were engaged all day Monday in
searching for a place. At night we were again
obliged to sleep in the cars, and were shipped down
to Newburg, about twenty miles from here, with
the expectation of encountering some companies
of secessonists who expected to be there
that evening for the purpose of burning the rail
road bridge at that place. They did not come,
however, and we came back to Cumberland,
cooked our breakfast, and at Z clock formed into
battalion and marched through the city to beau
tiful cedar and pine grove on the mountain side,
overlooking the city, where We pitched our tents
and prepared our camp. We are within few
hundred yards of the spot where General Wash
ington once encamped. At the foot of the noun
tain hundreds of springs, gushing forth their pure.
crystal streams, afford a bountiful supply of
carry it up the hill. its quality amply repays one
for the trouble. When we behold the lofty noun
tains, the clear streams and beautiful scenery
around u.s. we do not wonder why so many of our
citizens who have lived here and afterwards mi
grated to the West, speak in such high praise of
MARYLAND and the scenes of their childhood.
On Tuesday evening while we were consoling
ourselves with the sweet prospect of good
nights rest, we were called into ranks and pro
ceeded to march to the scene of
OUR FIRST sKIRMIsH.
Eight companies started on board the cars,
Oeaving companies and at home to guard
the camp) and proceeded first to Piedmont,
twenty one miles above here, and from thence
to place called Romney, eighteen miles distant,
where a party of secessionists were encamped.
We left Piedmont about l. o'clock, marched all
night over mountains, through creeks, and climb
ing hills through the dark, and arrived at Rom
ney about O'Clock in the morning. When With
in about one mile OF town, our advance guard
was fired upon by the enemy's picket, and return
ed the fire. The picket was on horseback, and
fed Although almost worn out from our long
march with nothing to eat, the sound of the mus
kets put new vigor in the boys, and we all started
on the double quick. AS turned the bend in
the mountain, we came in full view of the enemy
who were also on the double quick Much to our
surprise, however, they were going in the same
direction we were. They we're on the mountain
side opposite u.s. about mile distant, running for
the woods When came to the bridge the
Colonel ordered halt, and started us across two
at a time about twenty PAGES apart. This was
done to avoid their cannon which was stationed
point above us, and aimed at the entrance,
ready to fire as soon we came throughby COM
panies When four or five had passed the bridge
a fire was opened on them from a brick house
about hundred yards off, one shot, undoubtedly
aimed at Capt. Foster, struck between his feet,
glanced and struck Sergeant Grooms upon the
suspender buckle, stunning and bruisng him con-
siderably, but not Otherwise hurting him. His
suspender buckle undoubtedly saved him from
receiving a serious wound. Orders i'm
mediately given to charge upon the house,
while other companies were to depoy and
enter the town. The house quickly sur
rounded and every door burst open, but not
person could be found; they had made their es
cape through the wheat field in the and got
into the mountain The deploying and scouting
about the town was done in the Zouave style, and
in excellent manner. We entered the town and
found it deserted, except by few old citizens and
negro slaves. 1t was a scene of wild excitement;
old men, women, children and slaves were in their
residences pleading for their lives, but were soon
hushed by the boys, who told them If they were
peaceable, loyal citizens of the United States that
no harm would be done them, and as for their
women and children, We were more of gentle
men tian to harm or insult them. After We had
entered and examined all the houses and arrested
those that were at all suspicious, we then taxed
them for such bread, butter, milk, and eatables
as they had on hand. They seemed very gen.
erous, and willingly gave us the best they had.
The secessionists had been using the Court house,
Jail, old store rooms, etc. as barracks to quarter
in, and were armed with horrible old flint lock
muskcts and rifles. We got some fifteen or
twenty guns, besides two or three wagon loads of
provisions, tents, uniforms, etc. We got one
small piece of ordnance, but it was not mounted
and almost worthless, so it was left behind
1t WAS amusing to see how eagerly the boys rush.
ed for the secession flag. One very nice one was
taken by Mr.. Phelps, of company Z; another
large blue banner, on which was the inscription,
"Sic Semper Tyrannis." was taken by Howard
Stretcher, besdes n great many small ones, by
various persons. Each one wore the flags or such
uniform as they could get, around their bodies,
and many of them resembled members of an
Earthquake" company more than Zouaves. The
party who remained to guard the bridge and the
house of Mr.. Gibson, where the first fire came
from, discover the old man riding toward them
with n white flag i'm his hand. He came up, de-
clared himself a strong friend to the Union and
was released bv the Colonel. Our picket guard
captured man on horseback early Ia the morn
ing He riding at full speed, and his horse
was covered with foam. When halted, he said
he was going to Romney for physician, but upon
questioning MIN ne COMMUNICATED himself sc'ei'h
times, and was kept a prisoner. We after
wards learned that he is Major of the regi-
ment, and has been very instrumental in press
ing men into service. He is now prisoner
with us, and | understand that all we can
do is to make him swear true allegiance to the
United States If that is all that is required
of prisoners We might well let them alone,
for not one would refuse to swear, and in ten
minutes after his release shoot Union man
for declaring his sentiments. We started back
about one O'Clock p NJ, and after slow march
reached our camp about four O'Clock this morn
ing. tired. weary, hungry and sleepy, assure
YOU When you take into consideration the fact
that we have not enjoyed an hours sleep-excePt
what we could steal leaning upon each Others
shoulders in a car-since Saturday last, march
of eighteen miles on foot over a mountainous