On June 12.—Col. Stanley called at the camp of Company K, on his way east and made the boys a brief address. During the day we had a visit from Hon. Geo. P. Buell, of the “Cincinnati Times,” a brother of Captain Frank’s, Dr. Hall, of Harrisville, Va., and Ed. C. Skinnard, clerk in the Marietta P. O. The latter brought a quantity of mail for us from the folks at home.
On June 13 our first blouses were received and while they were being distributed a train “whistled in” and the order was given to strike tents and load up. We were soon under way and arrived at Clarksburg about noon. After an hour’s wait we moved on to Bridgeport, about 6 miles beyond. Here we left the cars and marched out about a mile north of the village to the Sandusky farm, where we went into what proved to be the pleasantest camp of our three months’ experience. Situated on a gentle elevation covered with a solid turf, with plenty of shade and good water near at hand, we here enjoyed our soldier life to the utmost. Company A rejoined us here and the camp was under the command of Captain McMahon. We remained here four weeks, until July 13th, drilling, guarding railroad bridges and tunnels, taking in an occasional “secesh” prowler and making ourselves generally useful. The next day after our arrival some generous hearted neighbor came into camp with a wagon load of bread, butter, milk and other edibles, a free offering which we greatly enjoyed. During our stay here the people of Bridgeport and the surrounding country placed us under constant obligations for like generous treatment. The remembrance of this kindness is fresh in the minds of all the survivors of the two companies.
On the 18th, our Major, W. H. Bisbee, visited the camp and the boys, especially of Co. B, gave him a warm greeting.
On the 2nd of July, Sergt. T. G. Field, Corporals Holden and Haskins, and privates Palmer, Pixley, Stanley, Vickers and drummer Fougeres, went home on furlough for a few days.
On this day also our Drum Major, Ebenezer Corey, returned to camp from Marietta with ten recruits for the band: George Jenvey, William Jenvey, Charles Holden, H. M. Langley, John Tenney, James Judd, Henry Corey, Frank Brenan, Fred Regnier and Wm. H. Smith.
While in camp here privates William Holden and Charles P. Wilson were detailed at the request of Lieut. John C. Paxton, our Regimental Quartermaster, for clerks in his office at Clarksburg, where the headquarters of the regiment were located.
JULY 4.
For some days the people of the vicinity and the men in camp had been preparing for a celebration of the day and by 8:00 o’clock in the morning the people began to arrive with wagons loaded with bread and butter, cakes, pies, roast chicken, roast pigs and dainties innumerable. Our camp had been thoroughly policed and put in prime order, and the camp guard had strict orders for the night before not to permit any one to pass out and no passes were given. This was to prevent any of the boys from visiting an “Apple Jack” distillery located not far from camp. The Captains were to put their best foot forward in their part of the day’s displays and did not want the “spirits” mixed, when the time for parade came. A number of long tables had been erected in the shade of the trees near camp and these were early covered with the superabundant supplies. Scores of young ladies came with the crowds and they were the waiters at the dinner. By 9:00 o’clock the crowd on the ground numbered fully one thousand. At 10 A. M. came the drill, followed by a dress parade. The exhibition embraced manual of arms, company evolutions, volley firing, etc., to the great enjoyment of the people.
The boys felt proud of their part of the day’s doings and were complimented highly for their efficiency. After the military show was over violins were brought out and soon soldiers and citizens, the young ladies especially, were joined in the dance on the green sward under the branches of the great oaks. Games of many kinds were indulged in—swings were put up and liberally patronized by the youngsters, and all hands enjoyed themselves in various ways until the dinner hour. At 12:30 dinner was announced, when the companies fired “three rounds” as the closing act of the forenoon’s programme. Just at this time a train load of enthusiastic soldiers and citizens arrived from Grafton and other points east of us and Co. B formed and marched over to Bridgeport and escorted them to camp. The dinner was a great success. Five times the tables were filled and cleared of food and guests. No one was neglected or turned away hungry. After dinner a member of Co. A delivered a well prepared address in an impressive manner. He was followed by Capt. Buell in a brief and spirited address, and he by an elderly minister of the locality, whose name has escaped me. Songs, sentimental, military and comic, fife and drum and violin music were interspersed and a most enjoyable day all too rapidly drew to a close.
From July 5th to the 13th, the routine of camp duties went on as before, but on that day marching orders were received. By 5:00 o’clock P. M., tents were struck and taken to the station, except a few left to shelter the men detailed to guard camp in our absence. We soon were under way eastward.