The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1864-05-17

Oot6il HUlluiS IUl IL OGiIlSi
For The Sentinel.
} The Experience, suferlngs and
PFiTatlOnS Of Joseph 6. Kitchen,
OF BeFkIy County, w Va, During
Z the years 1861, 1862, 1868 and
1854.
Mr. Joseph G. Kitchen, in a commu-
nication addressed to Isaac K. Hite, dat
ed March 31st 1864, writes as follows:
"I am the son of Betbuel NJ. Kitchen
Esq, of the county of Berkly and
stateof Va, member elect to the Con
gress Of the United States from the 7th
Congressional District.
In June 1861 I was driven from home,
and all the pleasures of kind and affect
iOuate associations, having been for several
weeks previous, hiding in the woods, and
otherwise eOncealing myself so as to keep
out of gunshot distance of the COnscript
rcatchers but seeing no way of longer
deluding them, my only safety was fight,
and accordingly I bid adieu to my "old
old home, and kind father, mother, broth
ers and sisters, and reached Maryland,
where I was received as a refugee, and
where staid about four weeks, at which
time Gea. Patterson advanced into Va. as
far as Martinsburg, when heartily re-
turned to my home and friends, where I
was permitted to stay about three months
in continual dread, not knowing what
moment I would be gobbled up by eth
er Guerrilla, a bushwhacksr, or some
rebel fiend in human shape, at the ez
piration of which time, my situation be-
came so critical on account of the near
approach of the rebels, that I had to fly
again to my maryland" where I staid
in that quiet region two months, during
which time I was in continual receipt of |
information of some ofthe depredations
committed by the rebels, that 50 reused |
my Indignation, that could bear it no
longer, aud resolved to enter the Govern
ment army, and did to the utmost Of my
ability to suppress the Rebellion, which
had assumed such desperate character
that myself and many others who desired to
remain neutral at our homes we're COM
PEELED to be hiding and dodging like
frightened rabits, in consequence which
l volunteered in the 1st Maryland Cavalry,
in which Regiment I served until the
Spring Of 1862, when my hitherto good
health began to fail, owing to the manner
in which I had been exposed in my effort
toelude the ever,WatchfuI eye ofrebel sharp
shOo.ers. My health continued to de-
cline unit! was unfit for military service
and on the 5th of October, 1862, I re-
ceived an honorable discharge, and re-
paired to my home, where I remained
until Gen. Banks returned up the
Shenandoah Valley, when my aituation
became doUbly dangerous, and scarcely
able to walk, or ride, but I knew full well
that rest at home was out Of the question.
1 had been IN the Government service,
and rebel sympathizers all round we're
ever ready to report, thereby making it
for me to stay and live, there
fore weak and feeble, I got to Mary
land, " again where I stayed few weeks
aod gradually improved in health The
Federal troops againg advanced, crossed
the Potomac, and pursued the rebels down
The Shenandoah Valley, and I alsorecros-
3ed into Virginia again, but Noah's dove |
,ould find no rest; resolved to enter the a
service again, which I did as a scout, and I
had the pleasure Of fleeing many rebels /
# some very fine horses which ne we're t
constantly picking up, and capturing from h
hieves and busbwhaekers, and Guerrillas, h
hat we're prowling about over the country. f
continued to scout up to June 1868, "
7hen Gen. Nilroy evacuated Winchester "
nd like resistless hurricane moved on d
Ip to Pennsylvania. was not in cordit- 81
on to leave but to remain at home, was to
lie, therefore Isought refuge in the North 81
Iountain, watching the movements of b.
ebel citizens and soldiers, but t being Of
bic to do anything against such odds,
rossed to "my Maryland" again, but in
oing 50 hazarded my life in thanking the
sbel pickets, which was a perilous IN
but was fortunate enough to Ii
each Hancock, and then went a few miles
ack into Pa. in order to rest after my T.,
journey; and after resting a
lille I visited our force at Clear Spring 70
pder command of Gen. Kelley. learn til
that the force under his command
Ould in few days, advance into Va.
gain, and readily did 1 take my position
the ranks again as scout, and being
cry vigilant which my situation de- mi
andod I should be, I discovered that a ii, ID
lrty of rebels were out on a theiying III
zpeditiOn, and were encamped about 16 g qu
lies out from the river. I gave immed. DR.
tie information, and was furnished with m, n,
'ibsonS BatalzioR and so of the Ringgold sh
ayalry, and Immediately started for the 81 i
bel horde, and after marching aboutlO ho
lies We encountered party of Infintry alb
hich we succeeded in capturing We an an
'utinusd our march, skirmishing pretty Mi