Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-06-22
Four Days Experience OF the
Hist Regiment

I7Ist Regiment.
The morning of Thursday, 9th inst,
broke upon the regiment st Johnson's
Island, finding it pursuing the usual rou-
tine of camp life, with nothing to disturb
its monotony. A portion of the daily du-
ties had already been performed, when q
rumor. vague at first, and exciting nc par
ticular attention, was circulated, to the
effect that marching orders had been re-
ceived. A more definite shape was soon
assumed, and o an order was issued for
all extra baggage to be packed for send
ing home, and knapsscks packed for any
emergency. About 9 o'clock, the regi-
ment was ordered TO be ready, with four
days cooked ~ratiens, to move about p.
N. Then there was 'hurrying to and
fro" To be sure, the time was long
enough, under other circumstances, 70
move an army, but the men, under the
impression that the Island was TO be their
station during the one hundred days, had
surrounded themselves, at no little labor
and expense, with many c~onveniences,
and many a hard days toll had contrib
uted to beautify their camp.
Packing had scarcely commenced, when
another order was received, restricting
their time to about one hour. The ra-
lions could not be oooked-many men had
only time, after disposing of their bag
gage and dropping a few lines home, to
provide themselves with a few hard tack,
and s little raw pork. About noon, the
regiment was at the landing, waiting for
the boat to take us across the bay.
As our beautiful camp in the grove re-
coded from BUR view, many eyes were cast
toward it, but not a murmur was heard.
To some, the monotony had already be-
oome distaxiefnl, and others who would
willingly have stayed, were too good
soldiers to complain.
On reaching Ssndusky, we found the
24th Ohio Battery, which had been sta
toned near that point, preparing 20 move
with Us. a good deal of time was con-
sumed in Masking up the trains, and about
four o'clock we turned our faces south
ward. We were closely packed in freight
care, with no ventilation, adefect which
the butts Of some of the muskets soon
remedied. Those muskets kick worse
Nbsn mules.)
As we proceeded on our way, the varied
scenery. forward vegetation, beautiful
villages and farms, contrasted fayorably
with our Island home, and universal good
spirits prevailed.
OUR FIRST NIGHf OUT,
was passed anything but pleasantly. The
sleeping arrangements were far from
oonmodious or comfortable, and many q
wish was uttered for the little tents of our
camp. Indeed, but little sleep visited
the eyes of the men, and that not very
refreshing. During the night the Battery
left US, for some point in Indiana, as we
understood-s fact we afterwards sin
oerely regretted.
We reached Cincinnati about noon, un-
loaded, slung knapsacks. marched to the
Ferry, crossed to Covington, stored every
theng except blankets, drew dog or shell
ter tents and painted blankets, each man
carrying his own complete outfit. At this
point were a few of the 47th Kentucky,
and some others. numbering altogether
two or three hundred men. For this lat
ter force, fresh herses. new saddles, bri-
dies and accouterments were drawn, to
enable them to act as cavalry.
In loading the horses on the cars, q
stampede occurred, and a number of
frightened animals rushed madly along
the street in which the Hist had just
been formed in line. 1t was so dark that
they were not seen until just upon US,
and it was a wonder that more were not
injured. As it was, C.. T. Porter and John
Gillett, both of Company F, were run
over, and considerably injured, the form
or in the abdomen, the latter in the leg.
Both were left at the Hospital.
OUR sEcoND MIGHT
was not much of an improvement on the
first. We were packed this time in ears
designed for shipping horses, and altho'
better ventilated than those occupied tie
preceding night, yet we were so closely
packed that sleep, to many, was out OF
the question. We got off about ten
o'clock, and reached a point known as
Keller's bridge, about daylight. The
bridge and block houses had been burned
by Morgan's men on Thursday, and he
ruins were still smoking. The horses
were about being unshipped and accou-
tered, when firing was heard IN the dis
lance, and we were Immediately ordered
to fall in line.
In some other accounts, it is stated that
the l6sth Ohio were with US, and that we
numbered about 1900 men. This a mis-
take. The l66th were already at Cynthi-
ana, one and a fourth miles distant, and
along the road. Our whole force num-
bered only about 700. two of our own
companies having previously been detaca-
cd. Neither was General Hobson, of the
Ohio Morgan chase notoriety, surprised.
The firing we heard was between Morgan's
men and the leSth, at Cynthiana, and was
no part of our fight. Whether the latter