Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-12-05

be eat, with an unsparing hand. Hav.
ing brought no meat with US, you may
be assured there was not much of the
eatable kind left by the time we left
next morning. We also appropriated
several pretty fair horses which the
owners demonstrated very heavily
against, but all to no purpose. The
next day we secured the country for
about 10 miles in the direction the
rebels we're said to be quartered, but
not to much purpose. Our advance
guards were met bY small squad of
cavalry, but upon discovering our
strength, wheeled and were off faster
than they came, followed by several
shots from our boys, which took no
effect. At sn other time a small squad
of bushwhackers were discovered across
the Gauley river from us, but they
were running for dear life and we lost
them. That is all we could see or hear
Of the force Of 500. We went that
night as far as the Cranberry Meadows,
where we again camped for the night.
These Cranberry Meadows are quite
curiosity. There are hundreds Of
acres Of swamp land in Webster county
covered with this fruit, and 1 think
they are as fine berries as ever saw.
But am told that but little attention is
paid to gathering the fruit, the inhabi-
tants scarcely knowing what they are
or what they are good for. Well that
night we put in similarly to the prece-
ding one, with the exception that some
of the boys captured ine lot Of honey
on which we feasted to our hearts con-
tent. Next morning consultation was
held, vhereupon it was concluded that
there was no considerable force any
where in reach of us and that we had bet
ter be getting back to camp, consequent
ly we turned our course homeward and
reached Summerville about 8 o'clock
P. NJ, having travelled that day so
miles.
/ should have stated that on that road
for thirty miles there were but about
half q dozen houses, but were tenant
less, the families having mostly all ab-
seconded; and where we found houses
occupied no men were about, having
either joined the rebel army or fled to the
woods. There are scores of families in
this and adjoining neigbborhoods where
the men don't pretend to stay at home.
particularly at night, both on the Union
and rebel ride, both afraid of being ia
ken prisoner by one side or the other
The country has the most wo-begon,
God -forsaken appearance of any coun-
try that ever 1 saw, and the inhabitants
are the same.
l have Just leraned since writing the
above that Merriman, the mail carrier,
has made his escape from Meadow
Bluffs and is now in camp. He reports
the force there at 1000. He says they
are in a great state Of excitement, hav-
ing Just learned that Rosecrans has
Floyd surrounded and cut to pieces, end
that he was marching on to Meadow
Bluffs. He says they were busily en-
gagged in putting up winter quarters pre-
Vious to this report, but had now sus-
pended all operations Of that kind and
we're holding themselves in readiness to
retreat to Lewisburg in case the news
was true. He made his escape last
night and reached here tonight, dis
lance Of As or so miles. He reports
The army at Meadow Bluffs in a very
bad condition, being poorly clothed aud
badly fed, with great many sick. The
particulars OF Rosecrans' proceedings we
;an't learn a word Of. although we have
telegraph communication from here to
9auley bridge. He appears to be de-
.ermined to give US no particulars un-
il after something decisive is done. In
act we get scarcely any news Of any
Kind outside of our immediate neigh
oorhood. The only item of news Of
my Importance that we have got for
'ome time is the burning of Guyandotte,
md that we got from the Gallipolis Jour
lal, which mysteriously strayed into
'ur camp. Would you be so kind as
o send me copy Of the Journal upon
eceipt of this; and please state whether
,eace is declored or not. II it is we
night as well 60 home, il not we had
letter await orders.
Yours truly, II.