The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1861-07-18
letter from Virginia.


7th Regiment, 0. V. NJ, Lewis Co., Val
WESTON, July 4h, 1861.
EDITOR JOURNAL Il know of no other way of
giving to the patriotic feelings which inspire
the heart of every true American citizen on the
Z" Glorious Old Fourth" even though he be on Sc
cession soil so write to the ever remembered
JOURNAL. l left the almost unbrokcn plain of
northwestern Ohio on the 24th of June, and reoin-
ed the 7th at camp, from which place we made our
exit on Wednesday, 26th. at 6 p. m. Went by way
of Xcniay Columbus, Newark and GAINESVILLE to
Bellair. Crossed the river to Benwood, Va. and
all enjoyed sweet sleep with knapsacks for pillows
and "mothcr dust" for beds. Although it was night
the passage from camp to Newark was one of con-
tinual cheering and "Giye 'em fits from the crowds
at the different stations. The train consisted of So
cars heavily loaded, and was drawn by four heavy
engines from Columbus through. Men, horses and
baggage wagons were all aboard. We are all full
ly uniformed and equipped with one exception, and
that is, we have no cancens but many had rather
go without than use the india-rubber things which
others have. At Benwood the ammunition was
distributed. From this place to Grafton, lO3 miles
are the most wild, romantic, rugged, and in many
instances beautiful hills have ever seen anywhere
A great many Of them are coal hills but never
have been used but little account of the country
being so thinly populated This tract of country
seems to have been designed for an Indian war
ground, some other worthless thing because it is
so rocky and barren that man never could sustain
life here, except by fighting scceshers as they
call them) and clothed and fed by the United States
Grafton is Gen. McClellan's Head Quarters in West
ern Virginia. The nine regiments now in Lewis,
Harrison and Barbour counties get their provisions
from Clarksburg, it being the nearest railroad sta
tion In order to make the transportation of troops
safe there have been guards placed at every bridge
on The Ohio Central r. r. and whole companies of
the 10th and goth regiments guard the bridges on
the Baltimore and Ohio. so that all is secure. The
9TH is from the I" dreaded Western Reserve" con-
sequenty it will be fight or die for it. E. b. Tyler
of Ravenna is Colonel. He has been doing busi-
ness in Virginia for the last 90 years, and is we'll
acquainted with every winding stream, hill and
vale as any man in the Union. From Grafton we
took the railroad towards Parkersburg % miles to
Clarksburg Pitched tents Friday night, and re-
mained until Saturday, o'clock, p. m. At this
hour we were called out and ordered to be ready in
one hour to march. The hour passed. and we start
ed on what proved to be one of the most fatgueine
marches | ever experienced. 1t was up and down
hill all the way from camp to Weston, "a milos,and
all aioot, with not less than from 40 to 60 pounds
to the man. This was the case when we started
but many dispensed with their burdens entirely be-
fore we got through by casting them to the winds
We hadn't a mouthful of provisions with us. The
road was macadamized all the way, and we were
not allowedto break the ranks. Many had thin
soled boots and shoes on, which caused them t
tread lightly over the stones the last ten miles,
They say this was forced march. am sure tht
last three miles was with me at least No one saw,
the staff knew our destination. We started Will
1O4e men aud got through with $50, the rest being
left by the roadside foundered guess. The Colo,
mel expected to find force of 1900 in the place, al
1t was strongly secession, but they heard Of our ap