The Highland Weekly News: Letter from the 60th Ohio

THE HIGHLAND WEEKLY NEWS:
HILLSBOROUGH, HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
SEPTEMBER 4, 1862

LETTER FROM THE 60TH OHIO

WINCHESTER, VA., August 24, 1862

DEAR NEWS. -- I don't know that I can write anything that would interest your readers, but I will essay an effort.

The daily routine is about the same as usual -- a heavy detail of men for work on fortifications, guardmounting, &c., after which the Provost Marshal receives calls from those of our "Southern brethren" who may wish passes to go out side of our picket lines. In order to get a pass, each applicant has first to take the oath of allegiance, and it is astonishing with what celerity some take the prescribed oath whose former proclivities were decidedly "Secesh." I begin to hope that the day is not far distant when the "d____d Yankees" and the "F. F. V's" may possibly get along with each other in peace, although, of course, to some of them the idea is perfectly horrid of associating with the "mud-sills." Winchester, in times of peace, judging from present appearance, has been a very pretty town. The streets are lined with beautiful shade-trees, and great care and pride is taken by the citizens to keep them in good order. The people are bountifully supplied with the best of water from a reservoir, and on every square are one or more public hydrants, besides "fire plugs." The town in time of peace was lit by gas, but the works are suspended, during the stay of the "ruthless invaders." Near the depot may be seen the ruins of a block of buildings burnt by Banks, in his famous retreat from this place. In one of these buildings were Banks' Commissary stores, and not being able to remove them he was forced to burn the building, rather than to let them fall into the hands of "Stonewall" and his "gallant" crew. One of the buildings, however, (I omitted to mention) was burnt by some New York cavalry, of Banks' division, under the following circumstances. One of their number entered the building at night to "confiscate" some oats for his horse, when the private watchman on duty shot him dead. His comrades, on learning this, set fire to the building, and would allow no one to interfere in removing the goods or stopping the fire -- till nothing but the foundation and walls remained to tell the story. -- Those of the citizens who are disposed to talk anywise reasonable, admit that Banks made a good fight here, and a masterly retreat. Winchester, your readers will probably recollect, furnished the company which undertook to capture the Harper's Ferry Arsenal, and met with so signal a failure. They probably would have succeeded in their traitorous designs, had it not been for a Union man of this place, who sent word across the country by a horseman, informing the commander at Harper's Ferry of the expedition. The "Secesh" afterwards discovered that he was the cause of their discomfiture, and after receiving numerous indignities at their hands, he fled to Maryland. There were three companies raised in this town for the "Confederate" army, composed mostly of students then attending a College here. There are still a great many young men loafing about the town, who ought to "fight, bleed and die" on one side or the other. There are others in town who have been in the army, but have been taken prisoners and paroled or discharged. There is a little boy here who went with one of the "secesh" companies as drummer. He was in the battle of Manassas, and there had the misfortune to lose one of his legs. One of the first things noticeable to a stranger in town, is the great number of persons dressed in mourning. I believe that fully one-half of the white population wear mourning -- significant.

The fortifications progress finely. -- Forts Sigel and Piatt are receiving the finishing touches, while Fort White is being rapidly built. As to the number of troops stationed here, I can, (by special permission) give you the following interesting facts: Infantry ___ regiments; Cavalry ___squadrons, artillery ___ pieces. The above is perfectly reliable. This force will be competent to keep at bay 15,000 or 20,000 of the "flower of the Southern army." We have a real live General in command, who understands his military duties. -- He was Colonel of an Illinois regiment, and distinguished himself at the battle of Pea Ridge.

Col. Trimble arrived last Saturday morning, with some 70 or 80 new recruits, and bringing the cheering intelligence that Sergeant Wm. March would be here soon with about as many more. This will almost fill our regiment to its original size and it will be able to start out anew, to win fresh laurels.

Last Thursday night a member of co. "G." 32d Ohio, was shot by a guerrilla outside of our picket lines. He had flanked the pickets, in company with two other soldiers of the same Company, and gone about 2 miles from the picket-post, in quest of something to eat. He levied on a cap of honey, and was returning home with it when the party were fired on by concealed bushwhackers. The one carrying the honey fell, and his comrades hurried back to camp to give the alarm. The next morning, early, Co. G 32d started out in quest of him, but far or near, could discover no traces of him, excepting the box of honey and the stick on which he carried it. The supposition is, that he was slightly wounded, and taken prisoner. Guerrillas abound quite extensively in the vicinity of town, and our pickets are almost nightly annoyed by them. Scouting parties are sent out almost every day, and sometimes succeed in capturing a few of the "'butter nut gentry."

I understand that recruiting is going on very lively in Hillsboro, and that "star-spangled," "spread eagle" patriots are "quaking in their boots" for fear of the proposed draft. Are there any of the Hillsboro folks who have "urgent calls" over in Canada? I hope that "Old Highland" may have the honor of raising her quota without a draft. She has never yet been behind in good works, and I hope she will maintain her reputation in this crisis. In the language of the "immortal J. N.," they must "roll," for "truth is mighty, and will prevail." Your Hillsboro folks ought to secure "J. N.'s" services at one of their huge War meetings; the people would have to come down.

The people of Winchester receive papers daily by the cars -- Baltimore "American," "Sun," and "Philadelphia Enquirer." The news boys are almost as numerous and equally noisy as in Cincinnati, and the livelier part of the day in town is when the cars arrive. If the "Secesh" see any interesting mite of "Southern news," they will meet someplace where they think they will not be observed too closely by passing "Yankee mudsills," and read the article, chuckle "very small," nudge each other, exchange significant glances, and wag their heads, just as much as to say, "things are workin'."

Contrabands are continually flocking in here, seeking "puttekshon," as they express themselves. This town is literally filled with them, and what is to be done with them? I suppose God in his great wisdom knows, but I don't believe any one else can solve the problem. I believe a slave "misses the mark" sadly, when he leaves a good home, where he has plenty to eat and wear, and is well treated, (which is the case in most of the valley of Virginia) to "go Norf." The "nigger" is still "in the wood-pile," and how he is to be got out, I, for one, can't tell. We will have to wait, I suppose, like "Micauber," for "something to turn up."

The NEWS is regularly received in camp, and contents carefully noted.

Address letters to
1st Corps, Army of Va.,
Gen. White's Brigade
Winchester, Va.,
W. F. B.

"Letter from the 60th Ohio" The Highland Weekly News: Hillsborough, Highland, County, Ohio; September 4, 1862.

Microfilmed article contributed by Theodore E. Lewis.