Never shall be forgotten with what avidity we devoured the contents of our letters from home, and how sorrowingly we would turn away when the unwelcome intelligence was announced, “no letters to-day.” This anxiety for news from home may seem a little strange, but when it is remembered that many of the boys were away from home for the first time and with no very certain hope of ever again returning, it is not to be wondered at.
We were all ready for the order to move when it came, March 14th, 1863, for we were thoroughly tired of lying here doing nothing, and all were anxious to engage in the real business of war. On the morning of the 15th we started towards Winchester and marched twenty-one miles, encamping just east of Blue Gap. While passing through the Gap a terrific thunder storm burst upon us, the rain falling in perfect sheets, drenching us to the skin. It was certainly a wild and beautiful sight, the mountains rising on either side to a considerable heights, the lightening flashing, as it appeared, from crag to crag, the thunder reverberating down the sides of clifts, caused a feeling of awe to creep over every heart; but the sun soon burst out in all its splendor, and dispelled the gloom as with a magicians wand. It was here we received the order that only the top rail of the fences should be taken for fire wood; of course the order was construed that we shouldn’t take the bottom one, and was therefore strictly carried out. We encamped near a meadow and the stacks of hay still standing in the field were chiefly converted into fodder for the horses, and bedding for the boys. Very soon the camp-kettles were steaming and supper prepared, after which all lay down and enjoyed a refreshing sleep, such as those only can appreciate who have been similarly situated. The next day we were on the march bright and early, encamping at night at Hayfield Church, fourteen miles from the start of the morning, on the finest ground we had yet occupied as a camp, and near several springs of clear, cold water. We arrived in Winchester the next day, March 17th, and went into camp on the hill near the old fort, where we remained for several days, finally changing to a park near the Rebel burying ground, a splendid camping ground, which the boys fully appreciated.
On the 4th of April we had Division Review, our regiment being second best as to general condition and drill.
April 22d, we went on a scout up the valley as far as Strasburg, our cavalry having a little tilt with the enemy, but nothing decisive resulted. On the next day we returned to Winchester with thirty prisoners. On the 25th we again started up the valley, the next day arriving at Wardonsville, distant thirty-one miles. On the way we passed the celebrated Capon Springs, a beautiful place, reopened since the war.
On the morrow we marched to Lost River, and finding the bridge gone, we returned to our camp of the night previous. On the route we passed some of the wildest and most beautiful scenery that West Virginia can boast of. On the 27th we again started for Moorefield, with arrangements for crossing the river, but when nine miles out received orders to return, and went into camp at Wardonsville for the third time. The next day we marched to Strasburg, where the 13th Pennsylvania cavalry was led into an ambush, losing several men in killed and wounded. The Rebels, however, were driven out, though no general engagement occured. The next day we returned to Winchester, having marched ninety-four miles, and that too without having accomplished any particular end as we could see. When in camp we were drilling steadily seven hours a day, gaining in proficiency in the arts of war every day, and fitting ourselves to undergo the fatigue and hardships that we were soon to be called upon to endure.
We did a large amount of hard work while in the valley, up to June 12th; long scouts up the valley were a weekly occurrence, and heavy picket and fatigue duty was the daily order of exercise, still, thanks to the excellent water and fine weather, the health of the regiment was in the main good. On the 5th of May, we started out with a week’s rations and forty rounds, on a scout. The first day out we marched for three hours through a drenching rain-storm, such as only occurs in the valleys, we went to New Market, and returned to Winchester on the 9th, having marched one hundred and four miles. We saw a few miserable bushwhackers, but nothing that would indicate any rebel force.
It was soon after this trip that the entire regiment went out on road work, making four miles of McAdamized road in three days.
Soon after our arrival at Winchester, our Adjutant, W. V. McCracken, and 1st Lieutenant Hugh L. McKee, of company D, were detailed on Gen. Milroy’s staff, where the former served until after the battle of Winchester, and the latter was promoted to Captain and Assistant Quarter-Master, and never again returned to the regiment. On the 9th of June, Lieut. Gillam of company F died of typhoid fever. He had been sick for a long time, and had every attention and care, his wife being with him nearly all the time.
On the afternoon of June 12th the Long Roll sounded and the regiment with the 116th Ohio Infantry, 12th Virginia, and Battery D, and a regiment of cavalry started out on the valley pike. When beyond Kearnstown we met the enemy in considerable force, and drawing them into an enfilading fire, gave them so warm a reception that they started up the valley faster than they had come down. We captured a good many prisoners, and after night fall, we returned to camp—satisfied that the next day would bring, as the boys termed it, “business,” and, as events proved, their conjectures were well founded.