1862 June 25 Camp Jones, Flat Top Mountain, Va.

[from the diary of Charles Hay, Private, Co. H, 23rd Ohio]
                               
                             Camp Jones, Flat Top Mtn., June 25th.
     An alarm was raised in camp today by
some teamsters coming into camp with the
report that the enemy was coming.  For
some time, it has been the custom of the
Quartermaster to send the horses out of camp
in charge of the teamsters to pasture.
Today they were about four miles from
camp, when a woman came to them
apparently in great alarm, and informed
them that the Secesh Cavalry was coming
upon them.  The teamsters being warned, and
otherwise unprepared to encounter a foe, fled
precipitately towards camp with the intelligence
the woman had communicated, and hence
the alarm.  Two companies of the 23rd. Reg’t,
O & H, were immediately sent out, although
the report obtained little credence, nevertheless,
it was deemed best to be on the alert, for
such a thing as reported was possible, and, it
might be, probable.  The Companies returned about
dusk, having ascertained that the whole thing was
a hoax. originating with the woman, motive unknown.


     For a few days past, I have been taking horse=
=back rides into the country, which tends to
invigorating my debilitated powers.  Have
mixed with the inhabitants a little, and have
been kindly used by them.  There are a few
excellent people in Virginia, kind, hospitable,
courteous, and affable.  I have always supposed,
from representations made by others before my residence
here, that hospitality was a cardinal virtue amongst,
and so regarded by all Virginians, but, from past
experience, I am led to believe that it exists, at
present, only amongst a few.  Whether the generality
of them are impelled to this course by poverty
or not, I cannot say, but either such is the fact,
or else they are naturally inhospitable.
     Although late in the season for other localities,
vegetables have been introduced here but recently,
as fit for use.  Wild strawberries are plentiful,
and are quite palatable.
     The weather still continues pleasant and
mild. Here on Flat Top it is extremely
agreeable.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925