Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-03-06
Army Correspondence.
CAMP HAYES, RALEIGH COUNTY, Va. I

CAMP HAYES, RALEIGH County, Va,
| February l6, 1862.
| FRIEND CAsKET: On the 5th ult. we left Fay
ettville, where wo had been encamped since
Nov. l4th, 1861, to join the detachment at Ra.
| leigh Court House, twenty-five miles distant
the roads being in miserable condition transport.
alton was furnished each man got astride a
mule and We had merry ride. We arrived at
our destination about o'clock P NJ it being
too late 10 select and prepare quarters, the men
received quarters and supper from the compa-
lected and moved in, and are now very com
5ortabiy roomed
! We were told, that for the past two weeks
various rumors and reports were heard, that
| party of militia and bnshwhaekers were assem-
| bling at Jumping Branch, n se0kll village in
Mercer county, 81 miles south of this point
previous 20 this, scouting parties from this ie-
tachment had been at that place and beyond it,
taking about 30 prisoners, bushwhackers, mill
tia and soldiers. 1t was finally concluded to
pay the gentry visit as soon as the weather
would permit. On Friday the 7th nit. we were
informed that two Companies of Cavalry and
three of Infantry were at said place, and further
that a party of 25 mounted men came within
five miles of this camp and stuck card to n
tree, challenging us, that they. the rebels. could
beat us fighting, playing euchre, poker, old
sledge, ETC., in fact in everything except run
ming and stealing; this was considered quite
cool and rather bold, and we had no objection
to trying it, rs we do not like TO have it said
that we can be beat playing euchre.
On Saturday the Sth Maj. J. W. Comfy, Of
the 23d regiment. commanding this post. or
dered out The five companies of the 23d reg't
present, F, D, Ii, G, d B, also, the Cavalry and
Artillery At one o'clock A. NJ. the column
l. Sc, Of a.cb for If,rnn oh
altogether two hundred and twenty lone men;
lS0 Infantry, 80 Cavalry. and of the Artillery
with one mountain howitzer of Capt. McMul-
Inns Battery. Several creeks, swollen by the
lae rains had to be forded the weather was
cloudy, with n drizzling rain falling. Five
miles from camp the Major halted the column,
informing rs that he had received intelligence
that the 45th regiment Va. Infantry. two COM
panies of Cavalry, and six pieces of Artillery
were at Jumping Branch. A council of war
was held, discussing the propriety of advancing
or retreating, considering the distance, the
weather, the respective forces and the fact that
support was no nearer than Fayetteville, 46
miles from Jumping Branch, after due ex-
change OF opinions vote was taken, twelve of
ficers present, eight votes were cast for an adj
vance and four for a retreat. The column was
informed Of the state of things and the march
resumed. Night broke in and with it, it conf
menced TO snow. At 8 o'clock we halted al
Shady Springs, midways between the two pla-
ces and ate supper. BY midnight we expec,e
TO be in the vicinity of the Rebel Pickets and
hence advanced cautiously the cut-posts, six
Cavalry. heard our approach, made for town.
| two miles distant, and gave the alarm. Con-
cludng to defer our attack till morning. from
the fact that we did not know the locality, the
position of the Rebel Camp. nor their real num-.
berg. we halted within half mile of the place,
on high ridge commanding the road. It was
about two o'clock in the morning ii had quit
showing and was freezing. Not kindling any
fires, the men suffered severely, with damp
clothes, without blankets. We stood there for
four hours. Our boots were thoroughly soaked
trampng through mud and water We resorted
to all kinds of gymnaslical exercises to keep
warm; such stamping Of feet clappng and
beating of hands and arms you never heard +;
should We experience another such night, il