JULY 27, 1861.–From Bellaire to Clarksburg in Virginia. All the way, one hundred and thirty miles, in Virginia, greeted by shouts and demonstrations of joy. The people had seen many three-months men going, leaving western Virginia for home. This, with the defeat at Washington perhaps, led the people to fear that the Union men were [...]
CLARKSBURG, VIRGINIA, July 27, 1861 (?) (I believe) Saturday (I know). DEAR WIFE:–Our second day, from Bellaire to this place, was an exceedingly happy one. We travelled about one hundred and thirty miles in Virginia, and with the exception of one deserted village of Secessionists (Farmington), we were received everywhere with an enthusiasm I never [...]
BELLAIRE, July 26, 1861, Friday morning, 7:30 A. M. DEAR BROTHER WILLIAM:–I write for you and Lucy. Please send this note to her. We were ordered at Zanesville to change our destination to this point and Grafton. Whether we are to go from Grafton to the Kanawha country or to Oakland, Maryland, is uncertain; we [...]
July 25.–Last night I went in to Columbus to bid good-bye to the boys; on the road met Lucy, Laura, and Mother Webb; advised them to return. After we were at home (Platt’s), Lucy showed more emotion at my departure than she has hitherto exhibited. She wanted to spend my last night with me in [...]
July 24.–A.M. our regiment was reviewed by the Governor and Major-General Frémont. It was a gratifying scene. The Colonel (Frémont–I must always think of the man of fifty-six [as] the colonel) looked well. How he inspires confidence and affection in the masses of people! The night before I was introduced to him at the American. [...]
CAMP CHASE, July 24, 1861. DEAR UNCLE:–I am surrounded by the bustle and confusion attendant upon a hurried leaving of camp. We go tomorrow at 5 A. M. to Zanesville by railroad, thence down the Muskingum on steamboats to Marietta, and on the Ohio to Ripley Landing, a short distance from Point Pleasant in Virginia. [...]
CAMP CHASE, July 23, 1861. DEAR UNCLE:–We are in the midst of the excitement produced by the disastrous panic near Washington. We expect it will occasion a very early movement of our regiment. We shall, perhaps, be ordered to the Kanawha line. We certainly shall, unless the recent defeat shall change the plan of the [...]
July 23. 6 A. M.–This extra ¹ was handed me on our parade ground last evening about 6 P. M. by my brother-in-law, Dr. Joe Webb, who had just galloped out from the city on my sorrel. We had heard the first rumor of a great defeat, but this gave us the details. A routed [...]
July 22.–Just received news of a dreadful defeat at Manassas, or beyond Centreville. General McDowell’s column pushed on after some successes, were met apparently by fresh troops, checked, driven back, utterly routed! What a calamity! Will not the secession fever sweep over the border States, driving out Kentucky, Missouri, (Baltimore) Maryland, etc., etc.? Is not [...]
COLUMBUS, Sunday morning, July 21, 1861. DEAR UNCLE:–I came in last evening to attend a little tea gathering at Mr. Andrews’; shall return this morning. We are now in condition to move on a few days’ notice, and expect to go soon–say a week or two. I constantly at camp am reminded of you. You [...]
CAMP CHASE, July 18, 1861. DEAR UNCLE:–I have just read your letter of the 16th. I hope it is good proof that you are mending rapidly. It is pleasant to see your own handwriting again. Our men are uniformed and we are daily receiving our needful equipments. The indications are that we shall soon move. [...]
CAMP CHASE, July 11, 1861. DEAR UNCLE:–I am now almost at home. Lucy is at Platt’s with Birch and Webb. Dr. Joe came yesterday bringing Webb with him. We shall have the boys out here a good deal. It is a good place for them. Birch was infinitely disgusted to meet me without my uniform [...]
CAMP CHASE, July 8, 1861. DEAR UNCLE:–Lucy came up to Columbus with Birtie Saturday evening. They have both been out once, and Birch twice to see me in camp. It is very pleasant to see them about. We are jogging on in routine duties. The only variation is the advent of twenty-three Secessionists, held as [...]
CAMP CHASE, July 6, 1861. DEAREST:–I have written to John Herron to supply you with what money you need for the present, and I suppose it will be convenient for him to do so out of a loan I made him some time ago. It does not seem like Saturday. The Fourth was like Sunday [...]
CAMP CHASE, July 5, 1861. DEAR UNCLE:–I have so little to write that I have, perhaps, neglected you. . . . . We are getting on very pleasantly here. It is a gentlemanly, social life, with just business and exercise enough to pass the time. I have probably engaged a horse for one hundred dollars–a [...]
CAMP CHASE, July 2, 1861. DEAREST:–The comet, or the storm, or something makes it cold as blazes this morning, but pleasant. Speaking of shirts, did I leave my shirts at home? I have but two or three here now. Have they been lost here, or how? You need not make me any if they are [...]
CAMP CHASE, June 30, 1861. DEAREST:–Sunday morning, according to army regulations, there is to be a mustering and inspection of all men, visiting of sick quarters, etc., etc., on the last Sunday of each month. We have gone through with it, and have found, with a few exceptions, matters in good sort. Our colonel is [...]
CAMP CHASE, June 28, 1861. DEAR UNCLE:–I found all well at home and at Columbus– all feeling anxious about you. I gave as favorable an account of your health as I could conscientiously. I am again in camp. Our new colonel is personally an agreeable gentleman to be associated with; in experience and education, equal [...]
CAMP CHASE, June 27, 1861, Thursday, A. M. DEAREST L–:–At my leisure, I have looked over the little what-you-may-call-it and its chapter of contents. It is so nice, and has everything needful that I have thought of, and more too. Much obliged, dearest. With all my boots, I find I have no slippers; forgot, also, [...]
CAMP CHASE, June 22, 1861. DEAREST LU:–I start for Fremont this morning. . . . As to surgeons, four only are to be appointed; it will not be possible to get two of them from Cincinnati. Either Clendenin or Dr. Joe will not get appointed. I mention this merely to show the facts. I want [...]
CAMP CHASE, June 20, 1861. DEAR UNCLE:–I now expect to leave here on Saturday and come to Fremont to stay over Sunday with you. On Monday I will go down to Cincinnati to stay one or two days, and then I return to devote myself to the instruction and exercises of my post. Matthews returned [...]
CAMP CHASE, June 20, 1861. DEAREST L–:–Your letter filled me with joy–as your letters will always do. I write to say that my present purpose is to go to Fremont Saturday, to remain over Sunday, and Monday, to go down home and stay one or two days only. You will find it so pleasant up [...]
June–, 1861.–Early in the second week of our camping out in service, Colonel Rosecrans returned and set vigorously to work organizing the regiment. The evening of the day he returned we were closing up matters in our tent preparatory to going to bed, when two gentlemen rode up with a dispatch which announced the appointment [...]
CAMP JACKSON, Sunday, June 16, 1861. DEAREST L–:–Morning work done and waiting till Dr. Hoge begins, I write to my darling wife and boys. Would you like to know our daily routine. (Mem.:–Colonel King commanding State troops and my superiors, Colonels Rosecrans and Matthews, all having gone home, I am now in command of all [...]
Sunday [June] 16.–Colonel Rosecrans and Matthews, having gone to Cincinnati, and Colonel King to Dayton, I am left in command of camp, some twenty-five hundred to three thousand men–an odd position for a novice, so ignorant of all military things. All matters of discretion, of common judgment, I get along with easily, but I was [...]