Something had to be done to get him into presentable shape for the occasion. The honor and credit of the Artillery were at stake. It would be an insult to the “Spirit of Seventy-six” for such a half-naked tatterdemalion to get up and pronounce the thundering sentences of Thomas Jefferson. So Colonel Barnett, Captain Rice and others whose pride was stirred began to forage through the town for some clothes that would adorn Edgarton’s shapely form and redound to the credit of the Battery. A black claw-hammer dress coat was found after a long search and the owner consented to loan it for the occasion. This was supplemented by broadcloth trousers, a hat belonging to one of the officers and a pair of fancy, high-heeled boots. The latter one of the boys had brought along from home, with a vague idea that they would be useful to him in putting down the rebellion. They were not large enough for Edgarton’s feet, but he contrived to squeeze into them at the last moment and to endure their pinching while he was doing his part in “letting the eagle scream.”
There had been considerable difficulty in finding a copy of the Declaration. The Philippians of Western Virginia were not a literary folk, and few of them appeared ever to have heard of it. At length a copy was found, in a musty law book at the courthouse.
Edgarton was greeted with hearty applause as he mounted the platform. This was followed by general laughter at his unique appearance. Such another “makeup” was never seen in the army, before nor since, in this or any other country. But he read the Declaration of Independence in fine style and was tremendously cheered. Lieutenant Colonel Geo. B. Este, of the Fourteenth Ohio, followed with an admirable address; the bands almost blew their heads off; patriotic songs were sung; and the celebration was a great success. The rebel General Wise failed to show up and nothing interfered with the carrying out of the program.
No sooner had the “Glorious Fourth” been fittingly and satisfactorily celebrated than the troops were directed to prepare at once for another campaign. On July 6th General Morris, commanding at Philippi, received orders to advance early the following day, occupy Belington, fifteen miles southward, and menace the enemy, who was in strong position at Laurel Hill, near that place. The movement was made promptly, according to the plan. The writer has before him a yellow, ink-stained paper, a memento of the advance from Philippi. It is endorsed “Programme, march to Laurel Hill,” and announces the following order of the procession, the words in brackets being supplied for explanatory purposes:
First Virginia, four companies.
Milroy [Ninth Indiana].
Steadman, First Battalion [Fourteenth Ohio].
Barnett, four pieces [Cleveland Light Artillery].
Steadman, Second Battalion [Fourteenth Ohio].
Barnett, two pieces [Cleveland Light Artillery]
First Virginia, two companies.
Dumont [Seventh Indiana].
Headquarters
Fulton
Dickey [Fifteenth Ohio].
Crittenden [Sixth Indiana].
Ammunition wagons.
Band.
Four caissons, two guns [Cleveland Light Artillery].
It will be observed that both front and rear were well protected by artillery. The commanding general prudently sandwiched his headquarters in the center of the column. We must also admire the tender solicitude for the safety of the band, as shown by its position as far as possible from the front and flanked by two guns and four caissons of Barnett’s artillery.
The march was begun about midnight. The movement was rapid and at daylight the skirmishers struck the rebel pickets near Belington. A section of the artillery was immediately ordered to the front and a few shells were tossed among the enemy’s outposts, with most demoralizing effect. The Union skirmishes, well supported, quickly pushed the pickets back to the main line, which was strongly fortified. Some of the pickets showed fight at first and there was a brisk skirmish, in which the Cleveland Artillery suffered its first casualty. George W. Tillotson, of Company D, caught a musket ball in the groin. He received every possible attention and as soon as circumstances would permit was sent to the rear. He finally reached his home in Cleveland but never fully recovered, dying from the effects of his wound, a few years later. He was the first man from Cleveland to shed his blood in the Union cause.
When the artillery was ordered to move there was the greatest activity in preparing for the impending campaign. The men were exceedingly anxious to acquit themselves with credit, and spared no pains to make the battery as effective as possible. The ammunition was carefully inspected and put in order, and the guns were polished until they shone like mirrors. The men were “hard up” for clothing, the supply having been exceedingly limited—scanty in quantity and poor in quality. Every effort had been made to procure better supplies but without success. The state authorities and the United States government appeared to be about equally neglectful of the needs of the soldiers. Rations were generally good and sufficient, and there was little cause for complaint on that score.
Whenever occasion offered the artillery served with excellent effect. The years of instruction and drill at home proved a most valuable school. The skill of the gunners in training their pieces and timing shells was such as to win for them the warmest commendations. The members of the infantry regiment formed a strong attachment for the artillerymen. They had an abiding faith in the efficacy of Barnett’s cannon, and when engaged in any movement seemed to be doubly confident if accompanied by a section or two of the artillery.
The order from General McClellan to General Morris was to avoid delivering battle at Laurel Hill if possible, but to firmly press the enemy at all points and hold him in his works, until the co-operating column under General Rosecrans should come up and attack in flank and rear. Rosecrans struck the rebels at Rich Mountain and after a hot fight completely routed them, capturing many prisoners and a large quantity of material of war. The confederate defeat at Rich Mountain and the prompt advance of General Rosecrans rendered the rebel position at Laurel Hill untenable. The enemy abandoned it in great haste.