The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1863-02-20
CAMP CORRESPONDENT CE.
RoMNEy, Va. |
Feb. 9th 1858. {
DEAR FATHER :.

you we're well acquainted with all the
particulars.
On Saturday, the Sd ult., our regiment
went to Moorefield TO assist the 18th
against the attack of the rebels at that
place.
The pickets were not relieved, and |
was one Of the number. About eleven
o'clock our Sergeant went to town and
from there to our former Camp, and the
Quatsrmaster Of our regiment said that
there we're no orders lelt for us. He said
that we could use our pleasure, either 60
after the train that started for Burlington,
or remain at the Brigade Commissary,
and help those tc guard, that were de-
tailed for that purpose. Our Sergeant
came back to the post, and then we went
10 the Commissary, and got our Quarter
masters stores and twenty-seven boxes
Of cartridges hauled up; and made all
necessary preparations for firing the
building, (Which was splendid Brick
Church in a moments warning.
There were several of Whites cavalry
with us. They we're scouting all the
tlme and at O'Clock P. NJ, they came
back and reported a force OF rebel cavalry
numbering about four hundred, coming
toward us, After consulting each other.
it was agreed upon, that we would fire the
building. and make good our escape in
the mountain. forgot to state how ma
ny there were of us; there were thirty
but thirty against three or four hundred,
was of no consequence. We then fired
the building, and had got about two hun
dred yard from it when the Internal feads
fired upon us. We tried to make our es
cape, and running towards the river, a
steep bank was then in view; but that was
of small moment at that time. So down
we went wholesome rolling, some
falling headlong to the bottom. We all
then ran across the valley towards the
mountain.
During this turn Of affairs, our small
band became divided and sub divided
We finally reached the mountain. and sf-
ter resting a while, we continued our
toilsome journey all night and about ten
o'clock the next day (sunday) we struck
the New Creek road about six miles from
Petersburg. Imagine our surprise after
travelling all night and part OF the day,
and not getting along any faster than
that
After we came to the road, our boys
. that were captured at the Hospital, came
) along and told MS that the destruction Of
the Commissary was complete. The re.
bells were foiled-- and they admitted that
the Commissary was what they came for.
Our Quartermaser was taken prisoner
and parolcd. ....
They captured all the boys in the Hos
pital, and laroled them. Some started
3 for New Creek that should have remained
in the hospital. But what could they do
else? The fends that call themselves
men, took nearly all their PROVISIONS
So you can see that they must do some
thing to keep those from starving that
were helpless.
The citizens along the road used us
very well, indeed, we could not have been
used better had we been at home. Mon
ey was very scarce article with us, yet
r the citizens took us in their houses and
! gave us the best that they had, and said
: that We were just as welcome without
) money as we would be had we our poe
! kets full. Long may they live, and know
that all the boys will join in with me to
return our thanks to those who be(riend.
1 ed us in time of need.
| Union people in and about Petersburg,
, used us very well, but there are great
many wolves with the Sleeps clothing
as the old saying is--which in this in
: stance very true, for when our forces
D are a. place, the citizens ale Union, and
e when the secesh are about, they are rab-
L id Secessionists.
= To return--imagine our surprise when
, We came to Burlington, TO find the train
! ordered to New Creek. So We wended
. our way, very tired indeed; and on Mon
. day the OH U!., We came 10 New Greek,
] about four o'clock P. NJ. We remained
D at New Creek until "Wednesday the It'll,
4 and then the train was ordered back to
0 the regiment, We made the trip in two
e days--distance forty miles. The wealth
er was very cold--considerable snow on
y the ground. After wandering ninety
e miles, we reached the regiment. aud Join
o ed our company, who were all glad to
y see us. The engagement At Moorefeld,
{ did not amount to much, rs the forces
t | mean the rebel forces--would not come
e to an open fight.
; On, war How many fall And a
h slab is the only thing that remains Of the
d bold volunteer.
$ How in our imagination we ay to the
4 once happy homes, now made desolate,
n and filed with grief and sorrow, by this
/. wicked war Of treason slavery. A iather
a rahhsd OF an only ann. A Iistsr nEs dsr.