Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-07-30
From, the 9th Ohio Cavalry.
CAMP NEAR LAURAY. PAGE Co, Va,
,JuIy Is 1862.

at least have not appeared IN your papel
much to the disappointment Of the 9th.
not to our friends at home. causing som
complaint that we are not fairly reporte'
when we r making such earnest ant
vigorous efforts. and running so man.
risks of life and limb every day to reasser
the authority Of our Government over thi
fine country and blinded. erring people
There is a great chance for our letters Il
fail to 60 through By our independent or
my mail. There has been some complain
of such failures. Since we left Whee1ini
we have performed an immense amour
of military duty, being in saddle slmos
all the time, day and night, and amids
all the dangers, exposures and trials of OIL
earnestly prosecuted campaign and an un
natural warfare. We have been assignee
the most honorable and at the same time
of course, the most dangerous part in thi
large army; our position requiring active
~sagacious and cool soldiership, and we arr
not a little proud to say that we have re
peatedly been complimented and thanked
for the superior and brave manner il
which every duty was performed. We
consider it no small feather in the cap o.
a regiment like ours, which were practi
cally children in all the arts of war, but
the material of which both men and off.
GERS are composed is of the most superior
quality, so that we think we may say with.
out Boosting that our praise was not un.
merited. We are determined TO make
a record worthy of true and patriotic men,
so that we may be remembered at home
and by the rebels too. l hope you will
pardon my taking space for q few words
of seeming eulogy, we thought that cir.
cumstances demanded it; we meant to
have kept the record good as we passed
along. With these remarks, we return to
our position at Strausburg, where we spent
the ever glorious 4th in grand style, in
dress parades, firing of national salutes
and playing and singing national airs. All
hands appeared cheerful, though we miss
ed very much the good company, sweet
voices and sparkling eyes of loved ones at
home, and once in a while we could hear
the wish expressed that a few hours, Just
a Ife0, could be spent at home, and again,
= wonder where we should be merit 4th.-
Our dinners were rather plain and some
what different from what we have enioved
some previous 4ths. Ny own was COM
posed of crackers, (hard bread) coffee and
molasses, which we relished finely; mo-
lasses is a rarity, 1 went six miles to get
it, too. We have got used to all these
and with good health, enjoy them
well in our line of duty. But we could
not help thinking what a good Joke il
would be to have a 4th table at home, set
these deLicacies, and how our inexpe-
rienced friends would enjoy it. We wish
had sent some material up to our good
Williams and Camp, to supply
their tables with, just once. But l must
upon more practical matters. We
left Strausburg on the 5th for Middle
town, six miles, where we remained until
the 8th, having, while there, a short re-
spite from our previous constant picket
and scout duty among the guerrillas.-
Left Middletown the 9Th for Front Royal,
II miles. The day was exceedingly hot
and we suffered much. A sad accident
happened to David Potter, of Co. D, Capt.
Barrett, by the accidental discharge of This
pistol while mounting his horse. The ball
passed in above the knee and lodged be-
low. His leg had to be amputated. He
was a Bugler, a fine fellow, and is a great
loss to the Co. Col. Lloyd's pistol dis
charged in his holster On the march, but
done no harm. l may state here,
that a number of accidents have happened
with our arms, some have been hurt more
or less; some discharging just from heat
and jarring. We left Front Royal (which
is in a beautiful valley on the main Shen-
andoah, or as it is called here, the South
but now shows evidence of the ter
ravages of war on the 9th, our trains
advancing IA miles to Milford, but the
regiment and part of the army went on
to Luray, where they came down upon
the rebels with a dash, driving them out
of town and far beyond. They skeddad-
died as if the evil one was after them and
they did not mean to be caught by him.
Our trains came up on the 10th and we
into camp with the knowledge that
we were nearly surrounded by guerrillas.
These mountains being one of their
strongholds and most secure hiding places.
Early on the 1lth all the army left ex-
cept the 9th, who were to cope with the
rebels alone. The army had hardly left
before the scamps were rushing down up
on our pickets, but our boys were on the
alert and met and bravely drove them
back. A reinforcement under Major
was soon upon the ground, ready
for any force that might appear. But
were to shy to meet an equal force
In the morning fight there was but n on
side seriously hurt, though the bullets
few like hail. On the night of the 18th
moved into a new camp on the other,
east, side of the village, but kept the
out and the saddles and harness
On our horses, a good precaution, as it
proved, for early Oh the morning of the
18th the rebels came down with a dash
upon our pickets, who fell back over the
bridge in the village, and then formed
md drove the rebels back with severe loss,
Is near as we could judge. They were in
'orce, and our boys were on the ground
double-quick time to meet them. Some
and infantry were sent for and
anne, in hopes to bring them to a close
light, but we only had the pleasure of
them several miles over the Shen-
'ndoab and out of this valley. We found
hat We had lost eight good men, taken