Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-07-25
From the MilIcrsburg Boys.
CAMP BEELINGToN,
,ral H;ll Tuly l7tb lSkt


Laurel Hill, July 18th, 1861.
When last wrote you we were waiting anx-
ously for the rebels to come and partake of a
Fourth OF July dinner. They said that they would
do 80 on the Sd. We cleaned Uncle Sans long
pots and placed in them very delicate dish OF
dumpngs, all ready to add the fire when our Wis.
itors made their appearance. Company G. was
appointed committee to meet them on the
Clarksburg road at distance of some miles from
camp and give them warm reception, but after a
long nights watch, the morn of the 4th broke
clear and bright, but no rebels We returned to
camp disappointed The Fourth was celebrated
by an grafton by the Lieut.. Col. of the 4th Ohio
and numerous side shows. Time passed heavily
until Sunday the 9th, at 2 A. NJ, we received Oh
ders to march to Laurel Hill, some thirteen miles
distant. You can imagine that an order to b ard
the lion in his well protected and thony dcnshook
from our brows the sumbers OF the night We
were soon on our way when the sun in its morn
ing purity sent down its golden rays through the
emerald tops of the Laurel ridge it did not find us
paving homage to the beauties 'of mountain
morn but formed in line ofbattle within mile Of
the enemy, and our skirmshers dealing death and
damnation to our foes. We all thought that the
time had come when we would have to meet Death
Aying through the air, and think that | can say
in all honesty that no set of men could have gone
on batte-fe with more determined bravery
than the McNulty Guards. There was no finch
ing or quaking-every m IN knew what was ex-
pected of him by his country and his friends. Their
flashing eyes, compressed lips and steady tread,
bore witness to their being READY TO DO 1T; but,
again we were disappointed. After waiting all
day, the skirmshers we're withdrawn. We were
given our position for the night we then partook
of light lunch, a smoke by the freside, and gen.
eral revelations as to how we felt on what was
supposed to be the battle field, while many were
thus engaged, some were disputing about n soft
piece OF ground, or soft stone for a pillow, and
those who had left their blankets were eloquent in
their appeals for a share with a comrade. To car
the climax, one whom we Call "Rag Picker
climbed a tree and went to roost. At last we
were fxed-some under fence rails, some on top
some in the bushes, some in the road, and as
said before one in a tree. At about midnight we
were awoke 10y the firing of Our pickets on a loi
of the enemys cavalry who were cut off from their
friends. After that we slept in peace until morn.
ing and then the skirmishng recommended and
continued until Wednesday, then it was prohibit.
ed all this was independent fighting by the boys
who would sneak away to get pop at the rebels
Up to this time we supposed that we had killed
upwards of hundred we lost three men and had
four wounded. On Friday morning we found that
the enemy's camp was deserted, and then there
was a general rush for their camp. The boys
captured all kinds of truck as relics of Laurel
Hill. The camp gave evidence of there being al
least six thousand of the enemy and was very
strongly fortified. If our force of forty three
hundred was in that position we would not have
feared fifteen thousand, hut they would not fight
us there. nor would they come out and fight US on
equal terms The 9th and 9th Indiana and the
l4th Ohio took possession of 1t and raised the
Stars and Stripes. At 6 o'clock we started to
give them chase after marching thirteen miles
througha heavy rain and deep mud. we camped
until three O'Clock and then resumed the chase.
II continued to rain and the mud became deeper
but still we travelled, and about 4 O'Clock we
caught them. TWAS running fight for two miles
and then after they had forded the river they tried
to form line of battle, they fired few shots
which were returned by the l4th Ohio and parts