The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-05-04
LETTER FROM THE ARMY.
HEAD QRs. Co. K, SD Reg. Q. V. VI
BRIDGEPORT, ALA, APR. IA, '64.

| J
F. S. JAcoBs-Dear Sir Having a few
moments leisure, 1 thought I would improve
them by writing you history of Co. K for
the past thirty months. AS you was the Or
isinator of the Company, you are we'll ac-
| quainted with its infancy, with the trials and
troubles connecred with the raising of COM
pany at that time. There was no S4OO Gov
ernment bounty or 5000 to $500 local bounty
paid as nov, but to have raised a company Of
100 c6icers would have been comparatively
-"Niggerheads" and "Copperheads'' all
alike would have focked to the rescue. But
suffice to say, the company was raised and
went into Camp at Kenton, Hardin County,
Ohio, Dec. 18th, 1861, with D. s. Sampssl,
John S. Fulton and yourself, to lead it to vic
tory or death. We remained at Kenton about
one month, where we received our early in
struction in the arts of war; Lit Fulton being
the principal instructor, assisted by your hum
BILE servant. All were anxious to leave our
native State far behind and seek the coveted
laurels found only in the tented field. We had
not long to wait, wishes were soon realities,
and on the 24th day of January we started,
mid the the smiles and tears of the fair ladies
of Kenton, who were undoubtedly 10th to see
US depart. We embarked on the Railroad and
proceeded to Grafton, Va, fourishing little
place on the B. & o. R. R., on Tigart Valley
river, and about 40 miles distant from " heel
ing, Va, where we arrived on or about the
18th day of January; encamped near Fetter-
man, where, after good deal of labor formed
a very pleasant camp. All passed off pleas
antly until the 23d of Feb at which time the
death of John w. McC; rren occurred. This |
was the first death in the company, as also of
the Regiment it cast gloom over all, and
was but the forerunner of others yet to come. |
We did guard duty, and made still further
progress in the Manual of Arms. While we
lay at this camp, Lit. John s. Fulton was ia
ken sick with typhoid fever, and received a
leave of absence to go home to recruit his
health, but he was des ined never to return to
his former vocation. On April 18th, '62, he |
died at his residence in Ashland. Death hath
all seasons for its own. He was a good and
noble officer, and his death was mourned by
all
On the 18th of march we started for Moore
not until after several bayonet charges did we
succeed in capturing the town and planting
the Stars and Stripes on the Court House.
"Long may it wave"
s.Jn youth it sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now.''
After performing numerous scouts, marches.
any amount of foraging, until the 25th day OF
April, we started fsf-well, we didn't know
where, but arrived, after awful Marches at Nc |
Dowell, Va, and formed junction with Gen.
Milroy on the Sth of May, and fought the bat
tie of Mcdowell on the same day. Our loss
was two wounded and several slight tly-"scart."
This was undoubtedly one of the bloodiest lit
tie fights of the war. The fight commenced at 4
O'Clock P. NJ, and continued without cessa-
ton until o'clock and l5 minutes P. NJ
Both armies then retired for the night; but
Gen. Milroy hearing that the rebs had sent
party to flank as, ordered us to fall back to |
Franklin. Here we remained until the 9th
of May. About that time jackson made the
raid in the Shenandoah Valley We were
then under command of Maj. Gen. Fremont,
and were ordered to the relief of Gen. Banks.
We arrived in the Valley in the early part of
June, fought jackson at Cross keys juno 9Th.
At which place Mr.. jackson deemed it proper
to fall back we followed him to Port Repub-
lie, and then deeming pursuit imprudent, we
fell back to Middletown in order to celebrate
the 4th Of July, which we did in the most
patriotic manner, over bottle of "blue ruin
The summer of 1862 was continued cam
paign, with intervening moments of pleasure
and relaxation. ..-s- .~
We engaged in the battle of Cedar Noun
tain, Aug. 9, in the independent Brigade
commanded by Gen. Milroy, alias "Gray EA-
gle," which constituted the advance OF Sigel's
Corps, and fought Emit Sigel.' Jackson was
again driven back we followed him about IL
miles, and went into camp We were not des
tined to lay long, put took up our line of