The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-10-25
Our Military Correspondence.
FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA.
GALLlroLIs; Oct. 12lh, l06l.

GALLlPoLIs; Oct. 18Th, 1861.
DEAR DEMocRAT AFTER so long a
time of silence. thought that, as some Of
your many readers might once more like
to hear from Western Virginia, would
write you few lines, stating the doings
of the different commanders, so far as
know them. The last reliable informa-
ton had concerning Rosecrans and
Cox, was, that they were encamped on
Big Sewal Mountain. The Rebels are
on Little Sewal Mountain. They are
within two miles OF each other. Their
pickets fire nearly all ihe time. There
are some $4,000 Federal troops at Sew
all Mountain, and some 10000 Rebels.
They expect big fight before long. The
Rebels are doing great deal OF damage
in Western Virginia. 1t is usually done
by the cavalry. Last night, as the Silver
Lake was coming down the Kanawha,
and about twenty miles below Charleston,
she was fred into by the Rebel cavalry,
and was supposed to be burned, but yet
may not be. At the same time, there
was boat going up the river with one
hundred head Of horses. She turned
around and came back to this place. We
always find that where you are not look.
ing for these Rebels, there they are sure
to be found. When we 60 out on a scout.
l. is impossible 10 End single person, so
we always have our trip for nothing.
These scouting parties seem TO be all
the go with the 7th Ohio. | will give
you description Of one that leh Charles
ton some three weeks since. On the 22d
OF Sept, there was call for one hun
dred men out Of Cos. II, G and |, to 90
off on two days scout, under command
of Capt. Sterling, Co. |, Lieut.. Robinson,
Co. G. We left Charleston bv boa, for
Camp Enyard, distance ten miles. There
we expected TO cross the river and 90
out some fifteen miles, and then come
back but what was our surprise
TO find that, when we had got 10 Camp
Enyard, we had got to remain there until
Tuesday morning, and lie out on the
ground with nothing but our blankets 10
cover us, some OF us having nothing but
oil'cloths. AS a natural consequence, we
found some cold nights in Virginia. Early
Tuesday morning, we were ordered TO
march toward Gau!ey. Tuesday night
We lay on the ground, ten miles this side
Of Gauley. Wednesday morning we
again started. and crossed the Kanawha
three miles below Gauley, where we pre-
pared our supper, and waited for three
Cos. OF the LIST Kentucky Regiment, who
crossed the river about 9 O'Clock At night.
when we all moved down the Kanawha
three miles, and took up Lieu Greek. We
marched all that night, and until three
O'Clock the next day, when our guide in
formed us that we had waded the creek
sixIy-iour times, and in some places it was
three feet deep.
Thursday, at o'clock P. NJ, it com.
menced raining very hard, and the great.
er part of the men had 10 lie out doors in
the rain. The next morning, FRIDAY, J
1t still kept raining, and !he small creeks
were 50 deep that it was not sale for me q O
cross; yet We had 10 cross Laurel Creek il.
teen times. 1t was III some places, four feet
deep. We marched on Friday until two
o'clock Z. M when we were stopped bv
river which we could not cross. We
then stood out in the rain ill about five
O'Clock, wheu we were ordered to fix I'D
our shanIies for the night. We did so,
and got along very comfortably thai
night. Our provisions run ou, on FRIDAY
night, so we had nothing TO eat until
Saturday night, when we got to Gauley.
Saturday we made march Of 10 miles.
On Monday, two Of the Company be-
sides myself came down here. Have been
very low with the fever, but are getting
better. Lieut.. Robinson died at GauleV
the other day, with the fever.
There is not over one-half of the 9TH
Regiment fit for duty. There are two
large Hospitals here, and they are both
full. Yours truly,
r. S. B.