Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-01-16
Yours Truly,
JOHN j. ALBERTSON.
From western Virginia.


FRIENDS EsrILL Il Bros. suffer me to
acknowledge the receipt of a copy of your
paper, for which you have my kindest thanks,
| am always pleased to read the local news of
the department of Holmes county. | have
just returned from the field Of battle, the frs
| have witnessed in my short belligerent ca.
recr. history of which is as follows On
Monday evening, the 9th inst, while sitting
in my room, cheerfully enjoying the comforts
OF my secesh predecessor, (who by the way
has left me all the comforts | could ask or am
in anywise worthy to receive,) and compass
sionatey remembering those of my fellows
less fortunate, who are compelled to rest upon
straw, and shelter beneath canvass, (ior the
winds were bowling mournfully hollow thro'
these mountain passes,) an excited messen-
ger announced his presence, with important
tidings from Col. Carroll, ordering that /
should have my ambulances in readiness, med
icines and instruments, for the field, and ra-
tons for days, and be ready to start at
moments warning. l Immediately summon
ed my subjects, issued my orders, (now 81
O'Clock p. NJ y and by IL O'Clock we were on
the ground, and it showing and blowing with.
out reference to peace or war, with detached
companies from the 4th, 9Th, 7th, and Sth
Ohio, lst Virginia and l4th Indiana reg'ts, 6
companies from each, the Rngold and 2 COM
panies lst Va. Cavalry, Dahm's battery, and
guns from Howard's, making column OF
about l J miles in length, headed in the direc-
ton of Winchester, aud destined for place
on the way called Blues Gap. Precisely at
Low TWELVE the order to mafah was sounded
along the lines and our long dark column
(wel chilled by the long delay preparatory
to starting) moved onward through the noun
taius- now ascending an upward slope-now
curyng some rugged point or cragged rock
Il pfr na toi n,,lap tpll lou,
ing meandering stream as it onward falls to-
ward the waters of the great Potomac quiet
ly, we pursued our march at the rate of about
~ miles per hour, old Boreas breathing with
northeastern vehemence, almost chilling the
very life blood Of the mounted men. Even
the Infantry suffered much from cold extremi-
ties. But as morning dawned the winds aba
ted, the sky became clear and the sun shown
forth giving token OF a fair and beautiful day
And as he cast his rays over the mountains
covered with evergreens and snow, presented
Il scene OF picturesque grandeur unequaled by
any thing l ever beheld, aud which none but
those who have beheld the same and have a
strong conception of the beautiful can even ap.
preciate. About this time the front of our col
umn arrived at the bridge across Capin creek,
which at this point runs through bottom Of
land of considerable width. A few hundred
yards on the other side of the bridge, the fa-
nous Gap begins, which is narrow pass of
several bundled yards in length, cut by ma
turc through the mountain, the cragged sides
of which are nearly perpendicular and up
wards to dizzy height. AT the further end
the Gap widens out into basin ofland where
the enemy had taken quarters and had their
guns, three in number, and their Infantry
stationed. (There were also a Touring mill,
saw mill and other buildngs.) 1t was natu-
rally the most advantageous position for de-
fence that could be selected in all this coun-
try. Our army was divided into right and
left wings who were to march around the hill
to operate as flanking forces and center col
umn, which happercd to be headed by .he
Sth were to take the Gap. At the order to
advance, our Colonel, who was Just spelling
for fight, his red hairs each seemingly stand
ing on its own responsibility, bristling like so
many bayonets, shouted his stern command,
onward my braves and at the same time dash
cd onward followed by his men at a double
quick, who, as soon as they got sight
Of the enemy began firing volley after volley
which was sharply returned by the rebels
The balls passing above us went rafting
against the rocks and brushwood. They
thinking, however, that the Yankees were
Legion soon broke to the mountains, leaving
their camp and equipages, large guns and
some small arms; setting match to the mill
before tney lclt. DIX ucau DOuleS were lOunu
on the field, and we captured six prisoners.-
OF Il man in all our ranks was hurt. After
firing had ceased the excitement of the boys
was uncomfortable. The mills in a blaze,
guns that had been deposited therein loaded
going Off throwing fry missiles through the
air. Men whooping and yelling got up a
perfect mania Tor burning. Blues house had
next to take it, making his negroes, who were
left to guard it, vamose in hurried iuror from
their apartments. His barns, also, were soon
on fire. His cattle and stock, chickens tur-
keys, geese and ducks, of which there were n
great number, were soon all appropriated to
the soldiers use. 1t was only by the greatest
vigilence, on the part of the officers, tn at the
men were restrained from burning everything
in the neighborhood. Matters, however, f.
nally became quiet, and We went about OBJ
tanning breakfast, which being over, they re-
turned with their plumber to Romney, which
they reached by O'Clock 7. NJ. Making a
distance OF so miles in II hours, on one meal
of crackers and cold beef. The weather is
very cold. Our quarters are comfortable
men we'll clothed, and not many sick. Con-
siderable of fuss about town for some reason.
Hoping you and all friends well, l have the
honor to remain
Yours Truly,
THOS. Meg. L BRIGHT.