The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1862-03-13
Our Armp Correspondence
Correspondence Of the Nows.
The Gath Ohio Surprised Agreeably
Guards not on the Alert--Co, "I"
Among the Rest.

Among the Rest.
Mr.. EDIToR.-Thinking that per.
hnps the many friends of the oath Ohio
would bo pleased to hear from them,
where they are, and how they are get
ting along generally" make the fell
lowing extracts from private letters re-
ceived from Major A. S. Hall, (now in
command of the Regiment.) The first
letter is dated,
CAMP NEER CREAM RIVER, Ky.,l
Feb. 14th, 1869.
eve broke camp at "Wicklife" on
the morning Of the 9TH, and in 60 min.
utes from the first signal the 10th Brig.
ade was formed in the assigned order
36th and 34th Ind, Gath and 51st
Ohio-and took up their line of march
for Green River. 1t was happy day
for the cid Oath, her men being al
ready and willing to 60. She is emphat-
ically herself again--taking the lead
aud bearing off the palm for soldierly
bearing. About five miles on the road,
Gen. Nelson and staff had, without no.
ticc to any of us, posted themselves for
review. The oath, complying with the
General Order" was marching in the
finest style, in column by sections, at
half distance, and at fright shoulder
shift" l saw him about fifty yards
ahead, and ordered my band to play
"Hail Columbia" As l approached
and saluted, he bluffly called out, "What
Regiment is that2" 1 answered, "the
Gath Ohio" II thought Sc" said he,
lifting his hat to salute US"
Further, Major Hall says:
"Since you left, the Regiment has
been most perfectly Surprised" One
day at "Camp Wickiffc, just at the
conclusion of dress PStade, there came
without the least notice, galloping upon
us, squad of mounted men, led by the
somewhat noted parsonage, JACOB AM
MEN, who pounced upon our "centrc,"
and presented us with the most beauti-
ful flag in the service, embroidered with
the highest art. Upon presenting it tho
General said
"Wo are about to advance upon the
enemy, and 1 have selected yOw as tho
hUest and most reliable defenders of the
honor and glory of our arms. AS
token of that confidence, l present you
with this flag, and having seen your
bravery tested on the field of death in
Western Virginia, know you will not
permit it to receive the least dishonor,
and that in the hour of greatest peril,
whenever it may be necessary to storm
the rebel lines, 1 shall see this flag en-.
toring the breach, pursuant to orders,
at whatever hazard may appear to con-
front it,"
Major Hall responded as follows:
"Sir, by the fortunes of war, am in
command of the 24th. Hitherto it has
been the pride of this Regiment, instill-
ed by your precept and enforced by your
example, throughout the perilous expo.
sure of the Virginia campaign, to bear
high upon the forehead of its spirit. the
motto, "Overpowered we may be, but
surprised never" and, whilst exposed to
the tactics and strategy of ordinary
commanders, under your guidance, We
have been able to keep ourselves true
to the motto we had adopted. But to-
day, in the hands of an inexperienced
commander, and exposed TO your strate-
gy, the wary old 24th is at last surprised.
Yet, sir, had my pickets given timely
alarm, and my police guard been alert
in announcing your approach, the ma
turc of this surprise is such that doubt
much whether 1 should have sustained
my picket or reinforced my guard. To
be presented by you with this splendid
flag, is indeed welcome surprise, and
am at loss for words to make fit
J ting response for these gallant officers
and bravo mon. They shall furnish the
response themselves,-Fello,o- Soldiers,
answer to man. This flag has come
to us by Surprise" from a friend. Shall
it ever ledpe us by surprise from the
enemy? (The whole line answered with
a simultaneous NOO It's giver, en the
chceress summit of Cheat Mountain
set us the example, and on the 18th OF
September fully demonstrated the fact
that eternal vigilance was not only 'th'
price of liberty but of life and honor
Beneath the shadow Of this flag, ia
the campaign now before us, will yo'
emviats that examplo2" (The whole
= line now thundered, YesD l proceeded
81 "This flag now bears but tho HatiOna
ensign, and the name of tho Regiment
Its dlken Roof is waiting for you t.
interweave an Inscription of homo
there. viii you, as the 32d Indian
a won for theirs the inscription of 'Ro'o
let's Station, or as the 9th Ohio that O