The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1863-12-15
From Gle Thlrty-fOurth Ohio.
CAMP TOLAND, Dec. 4, '63.

hdNAIg ASOeAFCui lth udyS ago.
Prospectus of the XENIA SENTINEL, anC
feeling a great desire that it may be sue.
eessful, I will endeavOr to write you a few
lines from the distant Thirty-fourtb Ohio
although I am well aware of the fact that
letters from the army have become SO nu-
merous that they have ceased to be very
interesting; but as I have just returned
from that part Of Dixie where traitors
grow to their full size, l thought would
write and tell you how much of the ele-
phant l saw.
1t was on November ID, that the Third
Cavalry Brigade Of the Eighth Army
Corps, with one section of Simmons Bat
terry, received orders to draw four days
rations and two days forage, and prepare
to march Immediately. About Daylight,
on the morning of the Sd, the brigade
was in motion. We started in the direction
of Gauley Bridge; but where our destina-
ton was to be was a matter of much
speculation. Some thought that we were
going direct to Burnside, others that we
would reinforce Grant; but before we had
marched very far, by kind of flank
movement I made on the Colonel, I re-
eeived the very gratifying intelligence,
that we were going to Lewisburg, and that
we were not to be alone, for at the foot of
Big Sewell Mountain, brigade from Fay
etteville would join US, and while. we at
tackled in front, General Averell was ex-
pected to attack in the rear.
On the evening of the fourth day, we
came on the rebel "fying pickets, and
without firing a shot, they lit out for a
more congenial cline. Their outpost was
sixteen miles from LeWisburg, at Meadow
Bluffs. We encamped there for the night
and the next morning at four o'clock we
were again in motion We fully expected
they would come out to meet US at Brush
Mountain, where they have breast works
three miles long; but very much to our
surprise, when we arrived they we're not
there. We moved forward a little further
than usual, wondering what had become Of
the boasted threats, that if we ever again
made our appearance in that section Of the
country, that we should be annihilated, and
no mistake. When we arrived within
about four miles of Lewisburg, we could
see large volumes of smoke rising from the
direction of their camp, which convinced
us they were preparing to retreat. General
Dufie, seeing what was to be done must be
done quickly, ordered his brigade forward
on the trot, when arriving within about two
miles Of the town, the General gave the
order to "Charge and away we went
as fast as our horses could carry US. Just
as we arrived at the outskirts Of the town,
the boys raised yell, thinking that it was
to be another Wytheville arrangement,
where they fired on US from every house.
But we were not long in finding that we
we're mistaken, for as we went in at one
end Of town, the rear guard of the rebels
was going out at the other. We gave
chase, but they having fresh horses, outran
US. After following them a few miles we
gave up the chase, and returned to town.
In their sudden retreat, they either forgot
to take their colors with them, or were
strongly pressed to get them aWay-they
were left at least, and fell into our pos
session.
We learned here that they had gone out
the day before to meet General Averell,
but had got very badly whipped, and had
returned Just in time to get out of General
DUTIES way. Averell captured about two
hundred and fifty men, besides killing and
wounding about three hundred.
General Averell's command consisted Of
four regiments Of cavalry, two Of infantry,
and twelve pieces Of artillery. General
Dufie had the Second Virginia Cavalry,
Thirty-fourth Ohio Mounted Infantry, and
one section of Simmons Flying Artillery.
The brigade from Fayetteville, under com
maud of Colonel White, was the Ninety
first and Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
and one section of McMullen's Battery.
The rebels had everything fixed nicely
lOl hlulClg lLG4L " 4al tClo IG4u2 lusL CDA4-
pleted in the most approved style. They
had houses built for brigade, but iu their
sudden exit from them, they left all their
knapsacks and blankets, which added
nicely to the flames, for they were soon all
on fire. We destroyed everything that
could be of any benefit to them. We staid
two days in Lewisburg, then took up our
march homeWard.
The second day after we started back, it
commenced showing, and that night we
encamped between Big and Little Sewell
Mountains. I must say it looked little
diseouraging as 1 gazed ar und me. Not
a place but what was covered with snow;
the cold wind whistling through the leaf
less trees, and we shivering with the cold.
But this is no place to stand round ike
ninnies, so We 90 to work building fires.
In few minutes the camp CLEANS with
fires in every direction. On such occasions
rails burn well, even if they do come off
some rich traitors farm. We brush away
the snow, wrap ourselves in our blankets,
and lie down. Sleep soon shuts out the
scenes around US, and we are unconscious
that the bleak November winds are whist
ling a mournful requiem to the genial rays
of the summers sun. We forget the dan
gers we have passed through-are all un-
conscious of the hardships that are to come.
There is one thing, though, we don't
forget-an Eden spot away off yOnder,
where every morn and eve mother
prayers ascend to God, that her son may
be spared to return to her home once