Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-06-04
From the Seventh Regiment.
NEw MARKET, Va, May 9Th l86

| 41cSSTS. Ekut0TS.-LeSt you InlSnL IOr6et
us, devote a little time to tell you of our
whereabouts and doings. On the Sd inst.
we packed knapsacks and marched about
eight miles toward Harrisonburg, and
camped in a beautiful clover-field, near
a beautiful stream of water. We were
nothing 10th to remain here awhile, con-
sequcntly our tents were soon up, rails col
lected and suppers prepared.
In the morning it was noised around
that in an adjoining hill was a celebrated
cave, known as 1.-The Harrison cave
Of course, all must visit this natural curl
osity, and the road to the entrance was
filed with soldiers. l partook of the
general desire, mingled with the crowd of
visitors and satisfied my curiosity.
As we stand in our camp and look to-
ward the west, we see rocky mound
about one hundred feet in height and
covered with stunted oaks and cedarS.-
Beneath those rocks is the e''Curiosity of the
Valley" The entrance was at first very
small, and was only discovered on no
ticing the sudden disappearance of a rab-
bit. Examination induced the people to
believe in the existence of a cavern of
some size here, and nearly one hundred
dollars expended in enlarging the entrance
suit proved satisfactory. At first, - re-
quires considerable STOPPING anI. crawling
to proceed, but as we a1vance, the hall
becomes of greater size. All at once, we
are ushered into an apartment of consider
able size and regularity, with dome like
/ roof about 35 feet high. The walls are
nearly perpendicular and in appearance
resemble those of the Fingal cave, at
Staffa. On the left, as we enter, is an
opening which leads into side room of
great beauty, hung with "stalactites" of
every conceivable form. while the floor
is covered with the corresponding forma-
tions, known as "stalagmites." This part
of the cave was originally very beautiful,
and when lighted up with torches, the
scene must have been beautiful in the ex.
treme; but owing to the large number
of visitors from both armies, it has become
blackened with smoke, and the formations
broken up, for mementoes.
We return to the main hall, and turn
toward the left, passing through a narrow
entry, of perhaps 80 feet in length, when
we find ourselves in curious apartment,
the form of which is difficult to describe
The left is picturesquely studded with pill
lars, stalactites and the corresponding
of these, but the walls are indented in
very strange manner, reminding one ofthe
Catacombs of Rome.
Farther on are other apartments of diff
ferent sizes, with more or less regularity
of form, some lined with similar forma-
tions to those in the erooms described; 9TH
ers supported by pillars, once diminutiye
stalactites, but the almost imperceptible
deposit from the dripping lime water, has
made them what they are.
There also side entrys some leading into
small rooms, others running out.
The cavern is said to be nearly half q
mile in length, and is a succession of rooms
and entrys. The walls of the cave are
now covered with incriptions of notices,
names and national emblems. The beau
ty of the cave is very much impaired by
the eagerness TO obtain mementoes, the
smaller and more beautiful formations be-
ing removed.
Altogether, it is place well worthy
couple hours visit.
little before dark on the evening
of the 4th, the regiment was order |
ed out under arms, as supposed to re-
sist an attack from the enemy, who it was |
said was advancing having been strongly |
reinforced, but failing to make his appear
ance, we returned to our tents and lay |
upon our arms till morning.
Morning came, and with it the order to |
pack up, and prepare to fall back toward /
New Market. Such an order seemed /
strange, and for short time we knew /
hardly how to act. But we were admon-
ished by the repitition of the order, also
from the heavily loaded trains proceeding
towards the rear, that it was no idle /
whim, but a stern reality. We must fall /
back. Each man making his own con-
jectures,a as to the good or bad effects of
such a movement, we hastily packed our
effects, (defects, the boys consider them
at such a time)and at eight o'clock, We
were ready to march. Our regiment was
placed about three-quarters of mile out
on the pike, the right resting toward New
Market, and the brigade formed on US,
the wagon train going in the advance.
While in this position, Gen. Kimball
with his brigade passed, our brigade pre-
senting arms. Gen. Sullivan and brigade
passed in like manner, the Artillery fol-
lowing. Col. Buckley, of the 29th Ohio
was in command of our brigade.
In this order, we fell back near our old
position near New Market, Gen. Banks
forces following us, and passing US after
We halted, went through the gaps of the !
MasSanutten into Page valley. | learn
that several pretty sharp skirmishes have !
taken place oyere there in which the reb- j
els were worsted. We lost several men I
in one engagement yesterday, it Is said I
the 18th Ind. lost 25 men.
The position being chosen, we camped a
for the night, and the weary, dusty boys I
passed good nights rest In the morn t
ing our tents came up, and we soon had I
our camp in full blast" G
well, what is this for, is the question \
which puzzled our minds, and many were a
the surmises rs to the aim and result of I
the struggle. Some think it is but the 7
repetition of the Strausburg movement
others that the position at Harrisonburg n
vas defended with difficulty still others h
hink We are to cross the Blue Ridge and 4
cooperate with Gen. Mcdowell on the 4
From the tenor of the or ii
lers issued since we came here, il would {.
.ppear that we fell back to drill / will h
i've you the order of the day. "Reyeille. r
A. NJ. Surgeons call. 6; Squad drill a
Recall and Breakfast s.; Guard-mounting n
nd Police duty, 9; Company drill, 10; h
Recall and dinner, IL n First Sergeant's Il
all, / P. NJ. Battalion drill, 3; Recall 5, n
Adjutapt's call, $50; Dress-parade, 6
'atto0. $50; Taps, O." Our time, you
'ercieve, is well occupied. and in eonse-
uence the boys are nlosty feeling well, &
The board of examination had session
lere day or two since, and quite num- ''
'er of our regiment, including four of our 81
ompsny. are pronounced disabled and q
heir discharge ordered. Il