Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-08-08
Correspondence of Delaware Gazette.
From the s6th Regiment.
july %. 1862.

Editor G.azaLG-On Sunday afternoon last,
the commanders of Companies A, 1, c, and
H, of the Seth, were notified to put their men
under marching orders, and cook two days
rations The order to be ION the wing" was
received with enthusiasm by our boys, who
were tired of the sunny side of the shadeless
hill upon which Camp RRrus was situated,
and longed to make forward movement
At night the boys piled up the barrels, poles
and brush forming the arbOrs around the tents
and fred them, which made large and beauti-
full bonfires. A number of the boys broke
guard and went into the COUNTRY to draft
chickens. At one place, the proprietor Of the
hens -FGost fired on them, the ball of his gun
taking effect in the back of one of our men,
burrying itself just beneath the skin. At s
o'clock yesterday morning we were marched
to the parade ground, where the Colonel said,
HThaI owing to an order from Gen. Kelly, 4
companies were ordered to another post; that
we had been FIVE weeks together the time Of
which was hoped very PLEASANT that he placed
us under the command of Lieut.. Col. Hunter;
that be had no fears but what, when occasion
required, we would do honor to ourselves and
the State from whence we came; that his best
wishes and prayers would go with u.s." Three
cheers were then given for the Colonel, Lieut..
Col. Major and Adjutant, and we marched to
lhe depot and were placed in close freight
cars. Our destination was Parkersburg. dis
taut on the Parkersburg branch of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad, 50 miles. As we
passed down the Valley, the country was much
more open, presenting fertile fields, instead Of
high, uncpltivated hills, as at Clarkshurg. The
corn looked well, of good color and growth.
and beautiful cottages decked the farms i'he
road seemed almost one continual line of tun-
nels, averaging one forevery miles. Manner
GUS camps were scattered along the way, in
which numbers of different Virginia compa-
nies were quartered, acting as guards TO the
railroad. At Central company Of The 9th
Virginia stated that few days ago number
of their men were surprised about 80 miles
back from the railroad by band of guerril-
las, who killed Lieutenant and Sergeant,
woundiag seysral and taking the rest prison
ers. Upon reaching Kanawha our officers or
dered US to load, as we did not know what
moment we might be called upon to turn out
10 fight the guerrillas. When we reached this
place, we found the most intense excitement
perneating the people. Every little boy large
enough to carry gun was armed, and all the
men who were brave enough to stay were on
guard at various places, in anticipation of an
attack, as the telegraph had informed them
that the notorious bandit, Jenkins, was
marching upon the place ] 3 hundred stro3g,
including both cavalry and infantry. Many
of the citizens fed into Ohio. The bridge was
destroyed so as to impede the progress Of the
secesh as much as possible. Ought we come
so far to defend the homes of these cowardIy
"feet-footed Virginians?' We are cncamped
in beautiful oak grove aud as far as the eye
Can scan, we behold beautiful country. The
buildings in sight present fine appearance
We are almost 10 sight of our own Ohio. but
we know not whether we shall ever see old
Delaware again. At sunrise this morning
Lieut.. Vining took squad of the boys TO the
Little Kanawha, where several of them plung-
ed in to sport amid its pearly waters. He
goes circulating among the boys, as HE only
knows how, and cracking jokes with them, so
that many of them are ready to Saoear By him.
Our officers are all clever, and make up in
this what they lack in military tactics We
hope the boys we left in Delaware, will never
allow themselves to be drafted The bows all
say here that they will never re-enlst in
company with those who have to be drafted.
Let them readily volunteer and the drafting
process will not have to be resorted to. We
had to leave two of Company C's boys in the
Clarksburg hospital, and q. w. Hall as nurse
and cook. Many Of the boys are busy writ
ing to friends at home. If we hayes "pitch
i'm with the rebels, and am luckily enough to
bring my scalp out in good order and in its
proper position, shall write you Let this
suffice for once. Yours truly,
D. w. G. LuaENsELI..