1862 July 30 Camp Green Meadow

                   July 30th / 62
           Camp Green Meadow
Dear Father
                    Here we are
as usual in Camp with
with[sic] no present prospect
of our leaving soon
Citizens however fear that
we will leave and many
of them are fleeing to
the north it is very
hard for these poor fellows
who have to leave their
land their homes that they
have labored so long
for under so many
disadvantages too
People at home cant realize
such an event in its proper
light immagine yourself
obliged to leave your pleasant
home that you have labored

[page 2]
so long to procure
also all the necessary
conveniences & comforts
you have gathered around
you all you  [?] &c
leaveing you nothing but
the Clothes upon your back
and you will have
the case of the Union
people of this Country
I will give you a Case
A man named Caldwell
has considerable property in
Monroe County near a small
place called Peters Town a
short distance from the Narrows[?]
of New River just before
the rebellion broke out
he went west leaveing
his family behind he
bought a small piece of
land in Indianna improved
it a little and came back

[page 3]
this spring.  when he arrived
at Raleigh he found us
there & has remained with
us ever since he awaited
our advance anxiously as
it would have been sheer
folly for  him to go to
his home before us
When we advanced to Giles
he crossed the River & got
to his home only for a
few hours however as it
soon became known and
some rebel Cavalry started
after him but he escaped
but did not get back
again until we came
back to Flat Top he then
went by night but
was unable to get to his
house as it was watched
he however remained there
about 12 hours and managed

[page 4]
to signal his wife
he dare not approach his
house or allow his Children
to know he was there
He is a man of undoubted
courage and has done
good service as a scout
Last Friday, Colonel Hayes
with 6 companies Inf one of
Cavalry & one howitzer went
up and brought his family
over.  I accompanied the
expedition. We left
this Camp after noon of
Friday marched down to
the River or near to it (6 miles)
and remained there until
after dark.  then crossed the
River quietly & marched
rapidly up the River 5
miles from the ferry we left
two companies to guard a road
which came down to the River

[page 5]
from a considerable Camp
of the rebels  we then
marched about 7 miles
farther to the mouth of
Indian Cr, arrived there
at 3 Oclock A.M. and halted
the cavalry went on
10miles further to Caldwells
house they were not molested
but when they arrived there
they could see the picket
fires of the Enemy only
a short distance off
hurriedly arousing the
family (who knew nothing
of their comeing) they gave
them time enough only
to put on their clothes and
takeing them on behind them
they hurried away not
even allowing them time

[page 6]
to pack a change of
clothing leaveing behind
them all their stock household
furniture a wagon & crriage
&c &c which before the sett
of another sun would
all be in ashes at the
hands of the Enemy or  his
nearest neighbors & relatives
with whom he had been
brought up. they arrived
at our Bivouac soon after
daybreak We immediately
arose from our short rest
on the cold ground and
without breakfast marched
back to the ferry where
we arrived about 10 Oclock
A.M. after getting some dinner
we came on up to this camp
We had been away from
cam a little ofver 24 hours
and had accoplished about 36

[page 7]
miles hard marching
Caldwell & family left
this morning for his little
place in Ind--he has an
interest family of 5
children the eldest about
12 years old.  Mrs Caldwell
is a pleasant woman &
says she is glad to get away
although they have sacrificed
all their property in the
atempt--several familys
left this morning with
them on their way north.

[letter of James Dinsmore Templeton of the 23rd Ohio will continue on July 31]