The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-10-05

A Brief Narrative of those Members
of the 116th o.. V. l. who were
Transferred to the 62d 0. v. l., with
some Notes by Leroy d. Brown, Late
of Company H., 116th o. V. l.,
Company c., 62d O. V. l., and Com.
pany l., eth 0. V. 1.
1S65-JUNE 14.-In camp near
Richmond, Virginia, expecting to
be mustered out of service with the
1l6th o. V. l. Early in the morn
ing was informed by Orderly Ser
geant Benjamin F. Sammons that
all the members of the regiment
whose period of enlistment did not
expire before October 1st, 1866, were
to be transferred to the 62d o. V. l.
This was not cheerful news to some
of us, nor did we think our treat
ment just for we had enlisted in the
10th for three years or during the
war. Murmurs were heard on all
sides and threats of desertion were
not few. Fortunately better judg-
ment prevailed and with sad fare
wells to our late comrades, and the
blood stained and war-worn banners
we had so long accompanied, we
were marched over to the camp of
the 62d and distributed among the
several companies of that regiment,
being kindly received by both Off
GERS and men.
June 16th.-On picket duty with
some of the 39th Illinois.
June 20th.-Detailed as regimen
tai orderly to Col. Henry R. West.
July 4th.-Carried a dispatch to
the city of Richmond. Some of the
boys celebrated the Fourth by drink
ing too much. This it t-was said led
to the military order that our whis-
ky ration should be stopped.
July 31st.-The 62d moved from
camp near Richmond, taking steam
boat at Rockets landing, to City
Point, Virginia.
August 5th.-Swam the Chicka-
homing river
August Sth.-Visited the historic
tree near City Point, under which
Pocohontas is said to have saved the
life of Captain John Smith.
| August l5th.-Several of the boys
sent to the ehospital at Petersburg,
Virginia. 'The regiment was" in
the language of General West-our
Colonel had by this time been made
a Brigadier-"s shaking by reliefs."
| September lst.-The 62d and 9th
Ohio were consolidated and the new
organization was known as the 9th
o. V. V. 1. Instead of belonging
to company G of the 62d, I now be-
longed to company I of the 9th.
Sept. 5th.-Began to shake with
the ague.
September 30th.-Still on duty at
headquarters but ill from remittent
fever every other day or every third
day.
December 1st.-In Fair Ground
Hospital near Petersburg with about
all the ills growing out of malarial
poisoning.
December 0th.--Several of my
regiment in the hospital came into
my Ward to say good bye and to
tell me that they were going with
the regiment to Ohio to be mustered
out of service.
| Dec. 12th.-(The 9th was mus
tered out of service at Columbus,
Ohio).
| January 1st, 1S66.-The doctor
tells me that can soon go home
This news was an acceptable New
Years present.
January 2d.-Rode down on the
train to City Point and slept In a
hotel!.
January 3.-Rode down the James
river to Norfolk, exchanging boats
at that city for Baltimore. In going
down the James, 1 saw what is left
of the village of Jamestown-some
negro shanties and a couple of chin
neys. 8 At Norfolk, l was shown where
the Merrimac was sank. On the
Chesapeake steamer, l was preven-
ted from going above by the follow
ing notice: mo deck hand, negro,
or enlisted man permitted in the
cabin" Being an enlisted man,
was placed with the steerage pas
sengers below the deck. The hatch
ways were securely fastened down
: during storm which occupied hall
; of the night and between praying
negroes and crying women and chill
, dren there was but little sleeping
i done by anybody. spent the long
hours thinking over my experiences
since leaving home to enter the
army, and concluded by resolving to
: wear shoulder straps when l again
entered the service.
January 4th.-Arrived in Balti
; more, missed the train for Bellaire
: and soldier like spent my last dol
e lar for square meal. Took even
e ing train for the West. East o
Harper's Ferry had a collision will
a freight train.
January 5th.-Riding all day.
January 6th.-Reached Bellair
before daylight.
: January 7th.-Arrived at Camp
bells Station, got another squar
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