The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1862-11-28

canlpeu IN beautiful grove our tentS
not arriving in time, we laid down on the
ground, with the canopy Of heaven for
our covering, where we slept soundly,
many Of us for the first time reposing on
the sacred soil OF Virginia. About noon
the next day (Sunday), we marched to
the depot, where the regiment was divid-
ed in two trains, on the Baltimore and
Ohio Road, en- route for Clarksburg, dis.
tant rs miles, where we arrived abou:
midnight. We passed in that distance
no less than &c tunnels, one or two pretty
long ones. The country was very rough,
indeed so much so, that | could not con.
trive for what purpose it was intended,
surely not for cultivation, for in that dis.
tance ] do not think we saw fifty acres of
tillable land, In some places the rocks
lowered above us at the side of the road
as much as forty feet perpendcularly.
Now for the first time began to realize
the Importance attached to the possession
of this road, both by the Federal as well
as the Confederate forces,
| II we were dispossessed Of that road, it
would be almost impossible to do any
thing with large army in Western yir-
ginia, owing to the impossibility of trans
porting subsistence. About half way
from Parkersburg to Clarksburg, just
after emerging from one of those tunnels
ours being the advance train through
some gross mismanagehent, we suddenly
came upon three trains, approaching from
the opposite direction, which brought us
to halt so suddenly that the train in our
rear ran into ours, throwing two cars,
containing Co. I, Capt. Kirkwood, off the
track, making a complete wreck of them,
but miraculously injuring no one seri-
ously, few were bruised slightly, and a
great many frightened terribly, some of
them breaking pel nell through the
creek near by, never stopping until they
reached the opposite shore. The remain.
der of The night after reacning G. we
spent in the cars, which we found a
pretty cold berth ; about forty men in
freighs car, with good many openings
for ventilation. The next day (2oth J
we were marched about i mile the other
side Of town, where we went into camp,
close to the old camp of the 23d Illinois,
Col Mulligan who when they went away
left their old tentsb standing, good many
of which were appropriated by our Off
GERS, they not receiving any Of the new
ones, which were distributed to the men
in the afternoon. The new tents were of
the bell pattern, aid so low that it was
very inconvenient for u men the number
allowed) To arrange themselves in one
with any comfort. Clarksburg is quite
business place, though it lacks the new
and thriving appearance of the generality
of towns in our own State. We remained
there in camp just week, drilling and
preparing for the forthcoming marches
The knapsacks were received and dis
tmbuted to the men, also 10 rounds of
ball cartridge.
Saturday evening (25tb) we received
orders to have three days cooked rations
prepared and in our hayei.sacks, and be
ready to march Monday tiiorning, for
Buckhannon Sunday it rained steadily
all day, which was not very flattering for
Through the exertions of the
Colonel, previous to starting, we received
tents of the Sbley pattern in the place of
those we had five to each company for
the men, and one for the officers The
boys felt grateful to Col, Wilson for this
favor, which was rather unexpected. On
Monday (27.h) the Colonel procured
sufficient to haul the KNAPP
sacks Of lhe men, which | assure you was
n great relief 10 them. We left Clarks-
burg about l2 M, and tramped miles
that afternoon, went into camp and pitch
ed our tents. Next day we marched 16
miles. The Major arrested man to day,
who after being kept prisoner for some
lime, and nothing positive appearing
against him, he was released. Wednes-
lay, about 9 A. NJ, we marched through
to about mile beyond,
where We camped in beautiful place,
lear the camp of the l6th Ohio. The
,oys stood the march first rate, consider
ng it was their first attempt. We re-
NAMED there until Sunday (Nov. p,
vhen we again took up the line of march S
or this place, distant 81 miles. The first T
lay we made IS miles, and camped on
he bank of the Middle Fork. Monday 4
We came through, crossing Rich Noun
ain, which is between two OF three miles :
p by the road. Had view of General
1c Clellan's old Notifications, near the top
the mountain, also Of the battle field,
ear which we observed some twenty or
lirty graves, During this days march
,und some snow on the hills, and the
was quite fresh on the noun
in. Our regiment remained at Beverly
which is quite small place--till Fri
~ morning, when they marched twelve
lies south of here carrying their KNAPP
cks for the first tme--to Huntersvillo
here the road branches. The remain
n of our brigade, consisting Of the 9Th
a, 18th Virginia, and Virginia Bat
ry of Artillery were sent ahead, to in
rtept a lot of rebels, who were sup r