The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1861-07-18
Camp Correspondence.
CAMP EARRING TON, Ohio,
GAIIIPoLIs, July 7th, 1851

GALLIFoLIs, July 9TH, lSGlA
FRIEND BAILEY:-Inasmuch as there are many
Of our friends who are anxious to hear from and
as we cannot write to all of them, am requested
to write a statement of our condition and conduct
for the last week. Last Sunday, about five o'clock
in the morning aparty of thirty three rebels under
command of Capt. jenkins, seized two Union men
near Point Pleasant at the mouth of the Kanawha,
within six miles Of our camp, and carried them to
Charleston, some sixty miles distant. AS soon as
the news reached our camp, Col. Norton, in com
mand of detachment of our regiment went up the
river in pursuit. but could not overtake them. The
pursuit being given up, the detachment was subdi-
vided, and upon our return to Camp Darlington the
various squads brought in thirty secessionists.---
Some of these prisoners were very prominent men,
and their capture created much excitement. On the
third day of July the prisoners were sent to Column
bus, and the whole regiment was ordered to Rip
ley Landing, above Mason City on the Ohio river.
Arriving at Mason City, we were joined by two
companies of the Ohio 18th and one company of
Home Guards. In all we were about thirteen hun
dred strong. With this force, we took up line
of march from Ripley Landing about three O'Clock
in the morning for the town of Ripley, about thir-
teen miles distant, expecting to attack rebel camp
in that town. This was first real march, and it
being on the 4th Of July, with full expectation of
a fight in few hours, many enquiries were made
as to "what our friends were thinking about" and
"what if they knew we were going to fght,' and
"who thought of this last 4th of July" and many
other subjects were discussed until the effects of
smart walk and an occasional "double quick y
caused the boys to throw away many of their over
coats and procure water whenever an opportunity
was offered We went into Ripley in double quic+,
time," and the boys raised howl-and such a
howl The very hills shook as it echoed among
them. Soldiers can not bear disappointment. The
boys appeared very much choptall en-vcry much
80, when the word went along the line that the rebels
had fed! We encampcd for few hours on their
camp ground, and then took up our march again
for the Ohio river. Very few persons were found
in Ripley, and when l saw it, | thought it was
the "descrtcd village" which Goldsmith tells us Of
Along the road many of the farm houses were de-
serted and their property seemed utterly destroyed
Fields of wheat were being trodden down by boys
and CATTLE and in fact the country is desolatcd The
rebels have appropriated everything which they
can use without any distinc ction of parties. The
day was exceedingly hot, and on return to the
landing many Of the boys became much exhausted
and being without wagons ourselves as we'll as inl-
possible to procure means of conveyance along the
road we had to walk We arrived in Camp Car
rington on the fifth, and am sure all were anxious
to get some rest after having gained (bloolessl
victory.
On the evening of the 9th, so men from company
f, SO from company c, and so from company G,
and 25 from Capt Georges company of Dragons
under command Of Col. Norton went to capture a
small camp said to be on the farm of the notorious
Capt. Jenkins, about sixteen miles from Gallipolis
The good people woke up in the morning and found
themselves well guarded, but there was no one
found to fight. We captured eghtpoor fellows whe
were harvesting for Jenkins, but as it was believed
that little Joe. Lindsay could whip the whole o
them they were let 20 about their business. Jen-
kins has turned his farm into camp for the rebels
and as there was lot of fine horses and cattll
found there, they were declared contraband of wal
and are now at the disposition of the Governor
The contraband goods l should judge to be wortl
$500, which is no small item with the rebels. Oh
the morning of the 7th we arrived again at CAM
Darlington, where we now are in good health ant
spirits. Yours truly, a. NJ.
July 9th,--I have delayed mailing for want of al
opportunity to do so. To-day the prisoners sen
to Columbus have returned and will probably be re
supremacy of the United States and will be retain
ed. There will be two more regiments here to-day
We get most important news from home. The
Cincinnati Gazette and Commercial furnish us the
news in regard to ourselves. A. NJ.