Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-08-29
gbe Obio 9tatesmtan
The Transit OF tho D5th Ohio from
OnmP Ohaso 10 HlchmOnd, Ky.
nY A MEMBER OF COMPANY A.

RICHMOND, Ky, August 25, 1862.
DEAR SisTER:-I will briefly describe to YOU
our transit from Camp Chase to this place.
FROM CAMP CHASE TO covlNoroN, Ky.
We left Camp Chase at about six o'clock on
Thursday morning, August 81, for tho railroad
about o mile distant, with our knapsacks strap.
ped upon our backs, each weighing about forty
pounds. After waiting some time, We got on
board the cars for Cincinnati, and made the
trip In about nine hours! Just before we ar
rived In the Queen City, Il rained tremendously.
We we're marched through the muddy streets to
the river. have faint idea that from this
circumstance we must have made fns appear.
ance.
We were hurried aoross the river to Coving
ton, Ky. The ladies of that city were very
kind to rs, having prepared good dinner on
our arrival, and plenty Of 1t, too; for which
they received the heartfelt thanks of the boys.
At about ak O'Clock, We were marched to the
depot, and found that we we're to be transport
ed In freight cars like so many cattle. we
piled In, and found benches In the cars, on which
we could eli down. ! did not sleep scarcely o
wink all night long,
FROM oovINoToH TO LEXINGTON, KY.
We left CoVington at one o'clock, Friday
morning, and arrived at Lexington, one hundred
miles distant, at about noon. On the road, we
saw where freight train had been thrown from
the track about forty. eight hours before we
passed, and lay at the foot OF steep hill In one
mass Of ruin-barrels of -four, pork, etc. In one
confused heap. The rebels had torn up some
rails, and the train was pitched from an en-
bankment ten or fifteen feet high. This was
no very agreeable sight, assure you, and the
thought that We might, from similar cause,
be hurled Into eternity the next moment, made
me shudder.
We passed through Cynthiana and Paris,
whittier Morgans guerriliaE had penetrated In
their late raid into Kentucky, and saw the
ground where our men met and fought them.
We saw where the rebels had burned houses,
and where dwellings had been fred on-the
doors Of which were pierced with bullet holes.
On our arrival at Lexington, we we're marched
through the city to Camp Clay, about o mile
south. Our camp ground was owned by James
B. Clay, and lay directly opposite the old home.
stead Of the latter.
ION TO RIcHMoHD."
We received orders that (Friday) night to
be ready to start the next morning at early day
break for Cumberland Gap. Bat we did not
leave until seven o'clock. We took what they
called four days ratlons. We were ordered to
pack and leave our knapsacks, being told they
would be brought along after the regiment.
| While we were preparing to leave, two Indi-
ana regiments-the 18th and 66Gh-paesed by;
we fell in their rear, and commenced, as we
supposed, our long march of one hundred and
twenty miles to Cumberland Gap. We march.
ed part OF the time at the rate Of four miles an
hour. When Rbou. fifteen miles from LexInR.
ton, and Just after We had waded the Kentucky
river, We began to ascend high hill--the
highest l remember ever having seen. Oar
commanders decided TO encamp when the top
was reached. When about midway up, mes
seDger came, stating that Colonel Metcali OF
the 4th Kentucky cavalry, had been attacked,
near Richmond, about twelve miles distant, by
the rebels under Scott, and driven back with
great slaughter.
Then quickly came the words-" Forward
MarchP and the boys rushed ahead with re
neWed vigor. In order to get along more rap,
Idly, several horses and wagons were pressed
into the service, and our sick and worn-out sol.
Ing forward as fast as possible, We learned that
q Aght had taken place about sixteen miles be-
yond Richmond, and that the union troops had
really been driven back. Some of our boys
thought We could not possibly hold out to march
further than Richmond, and began to linger from
sheer Wearinees. But when we were within about
four miles OF this place, messenger came, say
Ing t1at the rebels were near the town In large
force, and had sent In flag of truce, demand
ing its surrender within en- hour, or the place
would be shelled.
The command "Forward! On to Richmond!''
was given, and we hurried on at "double-Quick. )"
7 The officers rode along the lines, ordering the
men to throw away every thing that impeded
their progress Blankets, haversaoks, canteeni
and everything, except guns and cartridge boxes
we're streWn promiscuously along the road
men stumbling over them and falling out o.
the ranks. But onward We went at double
quick, and entered Richmond about one O'Clock
Sunday morning, expecting to have a'fght GER
tsinly. We were Immediately drawn up In line
OF battles but not rebel was to be seen--they
having retired about three miles back into the
country. Our timely arrival saved the town
for there can be no doubt the rebels would have
shelled it, or else 1t would have had to surren
der.
We lay that night on the pavement withou
Q blanket-all having been thrown away on ou
forced march. came very near freezing, bu
strange to say, did not even catch q cold.
do not recolleot that ever slept on the pave
ment before-it was pretty hard couch, as
sure you, but having marched tWenty-six miles
the day before--the latter part of It at "dou.
ble-quiok"-I was very tired, and soon fell
asleep In spite of myself.
Yesterday Sunday we were drawn up IL
line Of battle three times, expecting the appear
ance Of the rebels each time; but they did no
come. We are now encsmped within quarter
Of mile Of Richmond, ready for fight at
moment's warning. Last night we slept OF
our arms, but were not called out. We viii
probably leave here tomorrow or next day IL
pursuit Of the rebels. We have been largely
reinforced, and now make quite formidable
aFmy-in appearance at least.
Our Colonel has been appointed Provost Mar
shal, and we are bringing the secessionists VI
to the scratch. AS an instance, one was toll
this morning to bring In two hundred dollars II
money, five hundred pounds of -four and thre,
hundred pounds Of bacon Within an hour, or b
would be shot. OF he went at "double- quick
to fll the order. Others, according to thei
wealth, are served In O timilar way.
1t ID rumored that our knapsacks and cam
1, sNasWa En.. III L-.. 4 n