The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-08-21
Army Correspondence.
GRArroN, VA. Aue I6 1881

ippi,, once said the Ghost of Caesar to |
Rrutus. Our company, it seems, is to be
he Cesar's spirit which meets the seces-
lion Brutus at Phillippi In other words.
'ur company has gone to the village of
Phillippi, sixteen miles south east from
here, for the purpose of protecting q
bridge. The company started for that
point yesterday morning, and are now,
doubtless. located at that point. 1t was
q matter OF sore regret to myself as well
as tothe company, that could not go with
them; but I have been detailed as mem.
berlof general court martial, and can
not leave for the present. I have. also
been detailed as judge advocate of reg
mental court martial, which meets as soon
as the general court martial adjourns.s 4
hope, however. that / will be able to join
my company by the time this reaches you.
The town to which we are assigned, I am
informed, is wholly deserted-the Seces.
sionists having driven out the Union men,
aud when the Unionists took the place,
they returned the compliment by driving
out the Secessionists. This town, it will
be, remembered, was 8 the battlefield at
which General Kelley was wounded. Our
duties at that place will not be very Ia
borious, but will require vigilance and &C.
tivity, as the loss of the bridge would cut
off provisions for ten or fifteen thousand
troops. Well protect it. ~ sa .3taae9
Capt. Washburn's company has been
sent to .Huttonsville to guard battery
which was proceeding to that point
They started on Wednesday, and expected
to be absent from this place about eight
days. Lieut.. Jones could not accompany
the expedition, as he was, like myself, q
member Of the court martial. hoa aas5eia
Capt. Charlesworth'sg company is di.
yided; part of it being stationed at
Rowlesburg and part ct Oakland, some
distance east of this place on the railroad.
There was smart sprinkle of skir-
mish about L or IL miles south west from
here, on Tuesday, between q Virginia
company (Union) of 50 men under Cap.
tain Dayton, and a party Of $50 or 200
secessionists. K Dayton had been informed
of the presence Of an armed force of Sc,
cessionists, numbering SO o. so, not many
miles from his encampment which was at
Webster, aifour miles from here, and he
proceeded to ind them. After travelling
bard, securing the country for 90 hours
on one meal, he came to the house Of an
cid ladys.and on epquiribg of her whether
any rebel troops were in tho neighbor.
hood, she told Capt Dayton that in less
than half an hour he would be attacked
and cut to pieces by 200 seceshers. The
Captain replied. that he would stay all
day if there was any hope of seeing tha,
done. He, however, commenced search
10 the neighboring woods. Hehad gone
but short distance, when he discovered
rebelapicket running at the top of hil
speed. The picket was fred on ani
wounded. and party of five were sent il
pursuit of.him. When Dayton's men hat
adval ced few PAGES further, they wert
fred upon by force of rebels entrehchet
behind breastwork of stone. The firi5e
wasskepe up briskly for some time by boil
parties. and Captain Dayton, finding i
impossible ito dislodge the enemy, de
tachedi aaportion of his men to pas
around to1their left so as to Gre on thei
rear As soon as the 200 valiant rebel
saw themselves about to be surrounded b.
SO patriots, they left their entrenehment
and broke for safer quasters.i Captain
Dayton called back the. men he had de
tached, and gave hot pursuit. The 6rin,
on the part of Dayton's men now becam
quite destructive several rebels falling q
every voliey. The pursuit was kept u]
by Captain Dayton's men until they wer
wholly exhausted, adding another 2evi
| dence to the ilong>established fact tha
the rebels aresfeet-footed. d The anumbe
of killed and wounded on the part ofth
i rebels was a, ,othe number of missing 81
Captain Dayton called his men togethe
to ascertain who was missing, and foun
that euery enaan acas present unhurt. Bo'
have the facts in regard to this affair f-or
the official bareportl of Captain Dayton
There is, therefore, no doubt about th
I truth of the account. ssxas o. gaiaIig!az
u Yesterday morning Capt. divers com
pany, of onr regiment, was dispatched t
assist Captain Dayton in cleaning ont no
only the remnant of the defeated party
bat all Others in that vicinity 1t is be
lieved, however, that this signal discom
6ture will prevent the organization q
armed rebels in this part. Of Virginis
hereafter, though the ssffair at Manassa
encouraged them to break silence, an
commence their depredatioos.i So asT .
Captain Holiis,er passed sihroughaher
q few days siDces OF his way home. H
J was recovering from a feser, and locke
somewhat ,enfeebled. His company ii
near Beve-ly.eaa ~ ssl1sls gsst ,bsef
The health of the boys is pretty goot
only two being sick at present, aud the
are not at all dangerous. ils Il d 4 J
Before closing, Iawish to express I'm
thanks TO friends in the different parts {
the county, who have. written to me, an
i, especially am j under obligations to