Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-02-12
From the 18th Regiment.
SAruRpAr. Jan. Is. 1862.
FROM A cAPTAIN's DIARY.

and crossed the Cumberland (they wers
residents of Clinton county,, headed by
Ed. Furguson, one of their number, they
I proceeded to Rim. Gabbert's, noted Sc
cessiOnist who was harboring squads OF the
Pup" Cavalry and annoying the Union
men in that vicinity, plunderingNthem oi
their horses. mules and other property
| Furguson had suffered by these marauders
and was determined to have revenge
! Fifteen of the Cavalry were attacked
! FIVE of the Rebels, were killed. Ed. Fur
gUison was killed, and one other slightly
wounded.
Being Officer of the Day, having charge
of the pioneers and advance guard, at an
early hour we left camp in advance of the
regiment, following the same narrow val
| ley for half mile, we turned to the left
into the valley of the Rock House. y
The 81 Rock House." so called, is natu-
raj arch or culbert, 240 feet long, so leet
wide, and 40 feet high, cut through high,
rocky bluff, rising $50 feet above a small
stream that finds its way through this
natural passage into the Cumberland river.
This bluff is at a sharp curve of the river,
and rises like a wall upon its northern
shore. During sudden rise of the river
the waters rush thro' the '' Rock House
with incredible fury, spouting up and till-
ing the valley, and finding another course
into the river again below. The small
stream that finds its way through the
g Rock House is cut deep into the solid
rock at the bottom of narrow valley,
rushing with great fury over several small
cascades, foaming and raging, uniting with
the Cumberland. Looking through this
grand aperture is seen the broad smooth
waters of the Cumberland-its tall trees
ON the banks rejecting like shadows upon
the smooth surface of the stream, and the
far-famed Irish bottoms forming the back
ground of most beautiful landscape.
While viewing this grand and beautiful
scenery, the rain was descending IN tor
rents, the hollow moan of the winds
among the branches of the evergreen and
stuntt,I, 6;.l.s Of tic os~erhanRing cliffs. the
thunders deafening roar, and the light
ning's vivid fash, while the dark clouds
descending upon the hill-tops, cast a
nightly CLEAN, adding wildness and gram
deur to this rare picture in nature. Dur
ING this storm was heard the clank of the
picks of our pioneers, who were steadily
ascendinga high bluff overhanging the
valley of the Cumberland, repairing the
roads for our misunderstanding to the
valley of the river, the road Is cut out OF
the rocky slope of the bluff scarce wide
enough for wagon track, 100 feet or
more above the bed of the stream on the
opposite side are the rich Irish Bottom"
the loyal owners of which had been driv-
en- from their homes by the rebels. We
soon entered the small village of Creels-
burgh, containing some 100 to $50 inhabi-
tants, it contains a hotel, store, and few
dwellings. A few rebel cavalry could be
seen on the bluffs on the opposite side OF
the river but out of the range of our guns,
there we turned to the left following up a
small creek to the foot of high hill when
we stacked our arms and waited patiently
the arrival of our trains, the rain had con-
tinued with but little abatement through
the day. and the men were wet to the
skin. On the arrival of teams we pitched
our tents in mud and water, the raiu still
pouring down upon us, our men endured
the hardships without murmur filling
their tents with the best of Government
Feathers" plucked from the branches Of
the cedars upon the hillside. Owing 10
the muddy roads and rain the men picked
this way to the best advantage through
fields and woods, and some few fell out
bv the way-side but were brought into
camp at an early hour.
SUNDAY. JAN. 10, 1SG2.-Still rainy, and
being in a good foraging country. we rest
ed, though having Chaplain (absent1 We
again spent our Sabbath, without the ben
eft of Clergy.
MONDAY, Jan. 20.-At s o'clock, A. NJ,
we struck our tents, backed our baggage
to the top of a high hill. Our sick had
to walk up the hill in a drilling rain.
After making eight miles, we pitched
our tents at the Cross Roads, five miles
from jamestown. 1t was with much diff
fculty that our Quartermaster could pro-
cure q sufficient quantity OF meal for the
Regiment, notwithstanding the boys
grumble about so much corn meal. As1
YOU pass along the guard lines, you often
hear il said, Corn meal the countersign-'
TUESDAY, Jan. 2l.-Struck tents at an
early hour. At three miles we came to
Greasy Creek; the stream being at least
100 feet below its bold rocky banks, We
descended steep and difficult pass TO
the bed of the stream. Arriving at
the bed of the stream, the men strip
ped off their shoes and stockings, and
;;saded the stream, the cold water to their
knees the bec1 smooth slippery rock,
with a quick and rapid eurrG--,,tt. when now
and then one would loose his foot hoi-
and becomes submerged. On the oppo-
site bank is a beautiful cascade, formed by
a small creek, whose waters come dash
ing down with impetuosity over ledge
of rocks rising very abruptly, more than
fifty feet, which adds greatly to the beau
ty and granduer of this interesting spot
Passing through jamestown, the county
seat of Russell county, containing some
one or two hundred inhabitants, very
pretty place, with an old fashioned square,
and somewhat antique Court House,
few fine buildings, but like most of the
,rral towns of Kentucky, does not pre-
senI the appearance of thrift and enter |
nr;se liz Ohio. The ladies, however, |
mike most os their sex, in this section
Of country, appeared fashionable and re
fined. some putting on airs as we passed
along, exhibiting awant OF little good
sense.
From jamestown TO the mouth of Grea-
" Creek. the country is very well cultl-
rated. of a red clay soil, and well timber
I'd. We arrived at 3 o'clock, ?. NJ, at
Camp Green, situated on a high bluff 800
feet above the Cumberland river. Here
We found Col. Bramlett's 81 Kentucky
Regiment, and battery of lob Parrott
runs. commanded by Capt. Bradley
Most of the company is from Summit
county, Ohio. This battery has command
If the river.
In front of our camp is an excellent
pring of pure chrystal water, gushing
rom the rock some 60 feet below the sur
ace of the hill, at the head of deep ra-
-ine, leading down the steep hilEslope to
he creek, rippling over the rocks, form
nc a succession of cascades, sinking down
nto little rill, running into the creek.
rhe health of the Regiment is as good as
.ould be expected, after fatiguing march
s over the almost impossible road, dur
ne heavy rains, and necessary exposure,
-et every provision and care is taken of