The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-09-25
o From the I20th.

From the l29th.
CAMP PITMAN, KY, Sept. Is.
DEAR FATHER: I will give
you little description of our march
since we left Camp Ohio. We marched
from said camp to Camp at London on
the 96th left there on the 9th and
marched to Mt. Vernon; marched to
Camp Wildcat on the 9Sth; on the 29th
marched Is miles and camped 10 the
woods. We stayed there until Sept. l.
We were on half rations from the 26th
to the 29th; and from that until the lst
Sept. we had nothing to eat but green
corn and beef, without salt; but that was
good living to what we have had since.
But tell you it went hard to march l5
miles day without anything to eat, and
wear Uncle Sans harness, too, which is
not very light. We left there on the
lst and marched IL miles to Camp Star.
vstion-thus named for we did not get
bite to eat that day. On the I'd we
marched l2 miles and camped at Cum.
berland RiVer-nothing but corn to eat,
and that without salt. On the Sd we
marched IL miles and camped at Bar.
bersville, Oh Strawberry Plain, with
nothing to eat, as usual. On the 4th we
marched 9 miles and camped at Flat
Lick Greek; we laid there until the 9Th,
when there came up one days rationS,
which we drew. We started on the 7th.
the Gap being IA miles beyond. We
reached there at about 8 o'clock in the
afternoon, and marched up into the
mountain, about mile across; we drove
their pickets off the mountain, killing 8
and capturing 10; we laid there that day
within sight of their batteries, and we
could see and hear the rebels as plain
as If they we're few rods from us, but
they could not see us on account of q
hill we were on, which was covered with
trees; but the one they were on was
cleared ctf. They fred two shots at US
as we went up ths hill; the shells went
schreeching over US, ana lit down the
hill, 400 or 500 yard below. hurting DC
one. We laid there all uight without
anything to eat. Thenext morning the
% batteries came up and planted their
guns under cover Of the fogs, 80 that
they could rake the gap and left side
We intended to open fire on them
as soon as the fog cleared of, but
there was flag of truce sent to them,
demanding surrender. They request.
ed some time, until IL o'clock, to con.
slider. This was granted, and we-that
is, our company-laid behind the bat.
terry to support it, if necessary-expect.
ing to hear them open at 10 o'clock. -
At said time there was another flag sent
in to see what they were going to do.
They asked until 2 o'clock, then, and
it was granted. We, in the meantime,
laid in our old position, so weak for the
want of food that we could hardly ge,
up the hill for water; but it could no,
be helped, for there was nothing for u!
TO eat. At Q o'clock the battery. mer
fell in at their places by the guns, ex
pecting every minute to get orders tC
open fire on them; but just at 2 O'Clock
the rebel flag fell flom the staff, and th'
white one was run up. signifying sur
render. We took 2,l3O privates, GA off
GERS, Colonels, Lieut.. Coils, S ma
jors, 8 surgeons, 5 quartermasters, Il
pieces of artillery, 1000 stand of arm
| and equipments, 1000 pounds of pork
Q 1000 bushels of wheat, 40 barrels o
8 -four, and lots of other things. W
drew tin,full Of -four apiece and nike,
4 it with water; that was the first mouth
e fol had eaten for three days, excep
8 birch bark and sassafras leaves, so tha
: you may think we looked pretty sir
= and weak the next morning. Our CON
0 pany, together with several Others, wer
: detailed to guard the prisoners to Cam
e Chaee. If nothing happens, we will b
! in Camp Chase on Tuesday.
This is all at present.
Your obedient son,
c JOHN W. SLUTHOUR.