Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-11-21
For the GallipOlis Journal.
SALT RIvEa, KxsTucKYs
Nov, 18th. 1861.

y
DEAR SIR:-A. our Company (ihe
Union Guards) has been made up in
your County with very few exceptions.
it may be interesting to yourself and
others to hesr from the 18th Regiment,
o. ", of which. We constitute part
Our company is full and our officers
are elected. c. C. Ross, Captain; II.
Berkstresser, First Lieutenant; Charles
G.. Baldwin, second Lieutenant; VIM.
A. Berk, first Sergeant, J. K. Williams.
second Sergeant. and Wilgus Hsuly
third Sergeant. The boys are all in
good health. and appear to enjoy mill
tary life very well; in the whole they
are better fed and clothed than they
were at home. How they will stand
Ere is yet to be tried, but from all ap-
pearances there will be an opportunity
for testing that point before long. and
il l am not deceived a good report may
be expected from them. The regiment
received orders TO move on the evening
Of the 9Th, and by o'clock the next
morning, men and baggage were on
their way from Camp Dennison to Gin
cinRati, where we arrived at eleven
O'Clock, and Immediately took passage
on board the steamer Jacob Strader,
for Louisville, Kentucky, where we
arrived at twelve o'clock the night Of
the sixth. In the morning we left the
vessel and pitched oar tsats the
south side Of the city. Here the citi-
zens furnished the regiment with an
excellent breakfast-just what we need
ed. On Friday morning we were visit
ed by General Sherman. and in connec-
ton with several other regiments, were
ordered to march Immediately for this
place, where we arrived on Saturday
evening. The country here. and that
through which we passed. is rich and
beautiful; but the majority Of the in
habitants are secessionists. This
is rather an important point. being right
at the mouth OF Salt River. which is
navigable for considerable distance
In our front is the Ohio, while in our
rear is large bluff, which is being
strongly fortified. and will command
both the Ohio and the entrance to Salt
River. There are four hundred men
engaged on the entrenchments. Our
entire force at present is about six
thousand including Cavalry and Artil-
lery. General Buckner. from all we
can learn is little distance southwest
of this. We will move in that direc-
tion is few days. and are only waiting
for fresh supply Of provisions. Until
that time we do not expect anything ol
importance, as we are not likely to be
attacked a; this point. and after the for
ti6calions are completed, very small
force will be required TO hold the post.
To day the boys have been practising
at target shooting, and just now the
word has come in that one OF the caval-
rymen has been accidentally shot and
killed. The 18th is now fully equipped
and clothed from socks to overcosts.--
We have been called the best regiment
that has yet went out Of Ohio-not
only in a military point Of view, but in
regard to its moral character. We
have eight Ministers in the regiment,
and many private members Of the
church. Col. Stanley is highly esteem
ed by his men, and is growing more
and more in favor every day. He is
just the man for the place, and has a
fathers care for his men-sll that can
be done he will do for the comfort oI
bis men. Camp facilities for writing
are very poor, as you may know every
thing has to be done in hurry, and in
the midst of confusion, but as editors
are accustomed to peruse half-written
manuscript, 1 presume you can read this
brief epistle.
Very truly yours,
II. BERBsTREssER,
1st. Lieutenant. Company /, 18th
regiment. 0.Y.