June 2—Were called out about an hour before daylight and started for a point called California, on the N. Western Pike, at which place, one Clark, hotel keeper, was reported to have concealed a large store of arms and ammunition, and where the young men of the neighborhood were in the habit of meeting to drill. After diligent search and finding nothing of a warlike character we passed on to “Goose Creek.” Spent most of the day in searching houses of the citizens suspected of disloyalty. In one house an enraged citizen was poked out of a wheat bin in his loft, by John T. Booth, who had put his bayonet on his gun for the purpose of “feeling round” in the bin. He came out of that bin with his fighting clothes on. Returning we reached camp early in the evening. During our absence a rumor reached camp that we were in a tight place and a part of company A was sent out to succor us. They had a long hard march for nothing, but, we were learning the trade of soldiering and it all counted.
Last night and today, (June 3), a down pour of rain visited us and our bridge, almost completed, is in danger of being carried away. Wm. Scott went home on sick leave today.
June 4.—The rain kept up all night and our bridge was partially swept away. A large number of soldiers detailed to assist in getting out timber for repairing the structure. On June 5, trains were again crossing the bridge.
On June 6, a “Liberty Pole” was erected at Petroleum station, and when the flag was run up Companies A and B under command of Captain McMahon saluted it with three rounds.
June 7.—Captain Buell returned from Parkersburg, where he had been on orders, on an early train. Following this came another on which was our scattered squads, who had been relieved. We joined them and were soon under way eastward. Stopping a few moments at Ellenboro to permit the “Express” to pass, we moved on to “Toll Gate” station, where Co. B was disembarked, and went into camp. Our duty here was to guard another “burnt bridge,” near the station. Co. K, Captain Henderson, went into camp just east of us. This evening, our stock of soft bread having run low, and the boys not having as yet quite fallen in love with our “cylinder heads” as they termed our big round hard biscuit—the Captain detailed a squad of us to take a barrel of flour on a hand car to Ellenboro, nine miles back, and have it turned into bread. Arriving at Ellenboro about dark we distributed the flour among a number of the families of the village and by 9 o’clock in the evening we had a fine supply of good bread and biscuits. We reached camp about midnight. This was a foolhardy performance, especially at night. The trains were not only off time but extras were moving constantly. Between our camp and Ellenboro there was at least one very long tunnel and it is a marvel that we were not run down by one of these trains. The people of Ellenboro were so kind and hospitable to us that it is safe to say none of that squad will ever forget our novel but delightful experience there.
Under this date the Marietta Republican says: “The ladies of Marietta have furnished many articles for the comfort of the Washington County Volunteers, now in Virginia. The Havelock or linen shades to be worn on their caps will be appreciated this hot weather and so will the canteens.” This “Havelock” was well meant but on a hot day the “shade” as the editor called it seemed to keep the air from circulating about the neck and rather increased than allayed our discomforts, and they were soon discarded. The writer still preserves his in his collection of war relics.
“June 8.—Today we held an election for Second Lieutenant to fill the vacancy created by the election of Lieut. Bisbee as Major of the regiment. A number of candidates were voted for. After the first ballot the contest narrowed down to three, Jewett Palmer, Jr., who received a plurality on the first ballot, Wallace W. Hill and Oscar Underwood. After the second ballot Underwood was dropped, and on the third ballot, after a spirited contest, Hill was elected, by a majority of five.” The writer felt very proud of his support when he reflected that six weeks before he had not known half a dozen men in the company. Hill was a fine soldier, and distinguished himself later in the war as commander of his battery, “C,” 1st W. Va., Light Artillery.
Sunday, June 9.—Quietly in camp.
On June 10, about 11 o’clock P. M., Capt. Buell with about 50 men of his company and a like number from Co. K, under Capt. Henderson, set out for a point some ten miles distant, where it was reported a native had a quantity of arms and equipments stored. The force reached and surrounded the place about daylight—stirred out the garrison—one man, a not overly bright woman, an idiotic child and a rifle, with an old broken flint lock. By careful maneuvering the command succeeded in reaching camp about 11 o’clock A. M., without the loss of a man.
On June 11th, Col. H. B. Canington, Adjutant General of Ohio, and Col. T. R. Stanley, accompanied by the “McArthur Cornet Band,” our regimental band, paid us a brief visit and passed on to Parkersburg.