Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-01-28

activity, and devoted his whole soul to
the preparation of himself and comrades
for the trials, sufferings and conflicts that
awaited US. In July we were ordered to
Western Virginia, and upon arrival at
Clarksburg. with two companies of the
regiment, 1 was sent down along the Par
kersburg branch of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad, TO guard the road and clear
Taylor and Calhoun counties of the guer-
rillas which infested the vicinity. l
placed him in command of an important
post, with a bridge and tunnel to care
for, and all was kept in perfect order
Late in August we we're relieved by the
order of General Rosecrans, and sent to
rejoin our regiment, then on Cheat Noun
tain arriving there the last day of Au-
gust, we were stationed on the extreme
right, on the summit of the mountain
Here we Immediately began a fortifica-
ton which was completed o n the 18th Of
September, and he rendered me most
valuable service in planning and pushing
forward the work.
Another field of labor here opened TO
him, and one for which he seemed pecu-
liarly adapted. The rebel camps lay, n
thirteen miles t. our front, on Greenbrier
river, and one eleven miles across the
mountains to our right and front. Ere
quent scouts were necessary to give us
information of the strength and move
ments OF the enemy. These scouts had
covered with pine and dense thickets of
laurel. Great difficulty was for a time
experienced in getting men who would go
where they were directed and make cor
rect reports. At last the man was found,
and that man was Charley Harmon. No
thickets could obstruct his progress, no
sunless sky could turn him from his
course, and no rebel scout or picket
could get the first sight or shot. That
man did not live who could surprise Har-
o He could spy out rebel picket
posts. steal his way between them, and
90 into the very camp of the enemy. He
despised picket shooting. and never fired
upon a picket or a scout when he could
avoid it. He was after Information, and
always obtained it. He mapped the rebel
camps, counted their men on drill and
dress parade, and invoiced their artillery
and supplies, with the accuracy of an
Inspector General. He showed the posi-
ton of the enemy's camp at Greenbrier-
the approaches to it; and whilst the bat
tie was raging was four miles in their rear,
looking out for their reinforcements, and
reported their numbers to General Rey-
nolds in thirty minutes after they arriv-
ed. Not only this, but found where their
beef was kept, and by his maps it was
found, and together with the rebel mail
captured and brought into camp.
For these distinguished services he was
promoted Sergeant Major of the regi-
ment-over all other Ssrgeants, and soon
after made a Second Lieutenant, and by
me assigned to Company A of the regi-
ment. The extraordinary labors he per-
formed in Virginia somewhat impaired
his health, and when we arrived in Ken
lucky, as a small compliment for his
fidelity, and to give him rest, / detailed
him for the recruiting service, and he
vuanf hapnn 70 Worron He ~ cOOn
promoted, and upon rejoining his regi-
ment was assigned to the command of
Company F, vice Capt. Weston, resigned.
Always ready, he inspired his men with
the same spirit. and buoyed them up in
the tedious march northward with Gen.
Buell.. He was near US at PsrryViAe, and
his brave soul chsfed upon its pinions for
orders to assist US. Oh, God of Heaven,
how the cause of the Republic suffered
that such as him were not permitted then
and there to strike the enemy
His activity Yves such that the infantry
service was at times too slow for him.
He was most thoroughly adapted to the
cavalry arm, and had he been given a
command of mounted men. he would
have cleared the country of all Morgans,
and surrounded the Confederacy of rebels
with blows too rapid and severe to be
successfully resisted.
He has made a proud record mo man
has rendered more efficient service, and
none more thoroughly filed the station
assigned him. He was a true man, and
his goodness kept pace with his military
fitness. Another martyr to the cause of
Freedom, his soul has gone h~eavenwsrd
.onShe waves of victory. Teach his chill
dren the grandeur of the contest in
which their father so bravely fell. whilst
we push forward to vindicate his loss, and
crush the common foe.
/ have not time to write as | wish to
upon this occasion. but snatch a moment
to put on record my feeble testimonial of
the gallant services of my departed COM
rade. Bear my tenderest sympathies to
his bereaved family, and soothe them
with the proud legacy of honor the father
has left them. l have not yet learned
the full particulars of his death. Trust
ing we may not have to record the loss of
many more patriots, ] am
Your obedient servant,
A. S. HALL,
Col. Commanding 33d Brigade.
Communicated