The Highland Weekly News: Letter from the 60th Ohio

THE HIGHLAND WEEKLY NEWS:
HILLSBOROUGH, HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
MAY 15, 1862

LETTER FROM THE 60TH OHIO

PETERSBURG, VA., MAY 8, 1862

Friend B. : -- The "Gallant 60th" is here. We left New Creek Station, Hampshire Co., Va., on the North Branch of the Potomac, on the evening of the 5th May, and after a forced march arrived here on the evening of the 7th, a distance of 45 miles. Somebody made a "mistake," and we were on short rations during the march -- the provision train that was to have supplied us along the road not being come-atable [compatible]. A good many "gave out," and had to be hauled in the baggage wagons -- the Hospital Department not being supplied with ambulances. The boys soon found when they began to get tired, that it didn't "pay" to make "pack mules" of themselves and so every camp we left showed evident signs of the "shedding" process; shirts, pants, shoes, hats, blankets and overcoats, were thrown aside along the route. On the second day a great many piled their keepsakes into the feed troughs of the baggage wagons and tied them on to the axles, until the loads became so heavy that the drivers threw many knapsacks away. A large number were picked up by the rear guard, and thus very few were lost. This will learn us all, no doubt, that a many can't go soldiering and carry all the comforts of life, besides 40 rounds of cartridges. A Colonel from Western Va. told us that all a man needed was a tin cup and a blanket.

The first night out our company ("A") stood picket. A few of us stationed up a deep ravine were quite startled about midnight by a hog falling out of bed! Cotton M------, who was sitting on a stone just opposite, sprang to his feet in an instant, and with his gun at a "ready," sung out, "Halt! who comes there?" but before he could repeat the challenge the hog was at his feet and scrambling to get away. The idea was so ridiculous that we all burst out laughing, though we might have been shot by a sneak of a "bush-whacker" the next moment. The next morning we climbed up by the aid of a few bushes and saw upon a rock the bed the hog fell out of!

Gen. Fremont and Staff arrived at New Creek on the 3d, and left there on the 5th. Our Regiment, one company of the Garibaldi Guards, and a company each of cavalry and artillery, formed his "Guard." The General has expressed himself much pleased with the 60th, and will no doubt give us a post of honor, which you know means the best chance to get shot at. There is no more talk now among the men about going to Columbus to guard prisoners, being disbanded, &c., &c. We shall no doubt see some hard marches, and in a short time have a chance to try our mettle.

A company of the 55th Ohio that were here yesterday evening on our arrival, left this morning to join their Reg. at Franklin, where we expect to go in a day or two.

A party of Ashby's cavalry attacked a provision train about eight miles south of here, the other day, and though repulsed, killed and wounded 7 or 8 of our men.

Our Band was very near being mustered out of the service the other day, but through the influence of Col. Trimble, endorsed by Gen. Fremont, we shall be enabled to keep them. Just at this moment -- sun-down -- they have commenced to play Vive l' America -- the "boys" are delighted -- faces brighten up, and smiles begin to play over countenances that have looked the picture of weariness and fatigue all day. We couldn't begin to do without the brave lads. Col. Tracy, Gen. Fremont's Adjutant, said the other day, "This is too good a Band to lose. Gentlemen, we can't do without you."

Capt. Gardner's company are just starting out picketing.

Capt. Irwin's is left at Gallipolis to guard the Government stores there. -- Our John T. Nelson is "Orderly" there. We hated to leave him behind, and John wanted to come very much.

This is a beautiful place -- the country, not the town -- for it is old and ugly -- two stores, a mill, and a lot of deserted houses. Two regiments of infantry were raised in this county (Hardy) for the rebel army.

But stop! There goes a man flying thro' the air. The artillerry are tossing some of their boys a la "Sons of Malts," with one of their big canvas sheets! -- Rather dangerous sport, I judge.

But I shall be late for the mail.

More anon. A.

P.S. Tell our friends to direct their letters to "New Creek Station, Hampshire Co., Va. (Follow the Regiment.")

"Letter from the 60th Ohio." The Highland Weekly News: Hillsborough, Highland, County, Ohio; May 15, 1862.

Microfilmed article contributed by Theodore E. Lewis.