Wednesday, May 23, 2012

1862 Flat Top Mountain, Va.


[from the diary of Charles Hay of the 23rd Ohio]


                                       Flat Top Mountain, May 24th.
     It has been decided that we remain
here for a while.  Having lost our tents,
we must wait until we can be re=furnished
from Wheeling.  Expedients must be resorted
to, to protect us from the weather.  Rail
and bark ‘shanties,’ covered with oil – cloths,
and built and arranged without any regard
to regularity or precision, serve us at present
in lieu of tents.  Disaster is a great leveler,
as officers and men in the present case, share
alike, and are made subject to the same
inconveniences and hardships.
     Flat Top Mountain, upon which we are
now encamped, has, as its name indicates
a level summit, upon which are numerous
farms and residences.  It is a branch of
the Alleghanies, and not distant from the
line dividing Eastern and Western Virginia.
     Have been on a visit to Raleigh for the
past four days, and find it dull and
uninteresting. The place is now occupied by
seven companies of the 11th O.V.I. Reg’t.


[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925

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