1862 May 9 Pearisburg, Va.

Camp at Pearisburgh or Giles C. H. Va

Dear Father

On Tuesday Morning
last I went with a part of Co J
on a scouting expedition . Went
out about 10 miles form Camp
and returned the same evening
did not accomplish anything
except to scare in some citizens
to take the oath, We had a hard
march but not so hard as
what we were obliged to make
the next day

From information received through
Contrabands comeing into Camp
we learned that the
rebels had left Giles C H
I and that in their retreat
they had left large quantities
of forage, provisions &c  On the
strength of the report Col Hays
of our Reg't sent out 2[?] Companies
of Inf  and 1 of Cavalry Tuesday
Morning which force arrived
at this place the same evening
haveing marched a distance
of 30 miles. Their advance was
so rapid that the citizens were
not able to get away.  they were
prepareing The town was ordered
to be burned by the Rebel Comd.
but the timely arrival of our men
prevented them. Wednesday morning

[page 2]
the remainder of our Regt
with 2 or 3 hundred Cavalry
left Princeton and advanced to
this place  We marched the
whole distance the same day
The road for about half the
distance follows the course of
the New River the scenery was
very fine, We arrived here
before sundown and found
the boys enjoying themselves
We entered the Town to the tune
of Dixie.  The town is about as
large as Savannah situated
about a mile form the New
River among the Mountains
The scenery is certainly the
grandest I ever saw.  We
are now among the mountains.
Our tents and bagage have not yet
arrived but we have rooms
at the Hotel ( a fine large House)
The Keeper[?] is a secesh so we
take the liberty to occupy his
rooms without asking his leave
We have two large rooms
with plenty of good feather
beds to sleep on
The Band and Commissioned
officers only are allowed to enter
the house.  Situated as we are now
it seems more like an excursion
to us than soldiering.  We found

[page 3]
here about 300 barrels of Flour
1000 bushels Corn some Oats
Bacon Shugar Quartermasters stores
&c.  Large Quantities of Whiskey
peach & apple brandies were also
found every day We find more
which has been secreted by
the citizens.

Reconoisance was made yesterday
which discovered the rebels in
a quite strong force about 10 miles
from here on the Newbern road
I believe it is supposed they have
about 2000 men We have been
looking some for them to come
in and attack us but I guess
they are too cowardly
A printing press was found the office
had just been evacuated.  Our men
expect to commence the pub

lication of a paper on it tomorrow

I will inclose this letter in a
secesh envelop as they seem to
be very scarce of paper
I will write again in a few
days
Yours Truly J. D. Templeton

James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio

MSS 10317