1862 August 18 Camp Piatt

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

Camp Piatt, Aug. 18.

     We left Cannellton long before day

this morning, so that, by daylight,

we had reached Clifton, six miles

down the river.  Thus far, we had stood

the mornings march remarkably well, but,

as the day advanced, the heat, becoming

more oppressive, began to tell upon all, although

our pace was not slackened.  But this hard

march, under the circumstances had become

so toilsome, that all were bound to admit

they could not endure this much longer.

A little after noon we reached this place,

fatigued, footsore and almost worn out.

The distance marched today (18 miles) with

the previous three days march, makes 85

miles in three and one-half days, and as

hot days as there are in August generally.

This, we cannot but regard as a remark=

=able march, and are vain enough to believe

that unbiased persons will coincide with

us.  Be that as it may, we have performed

the task, and are glad it is over with.
     Quite a number of steamboats are

laying here for our transportation.  Troops

are constantly embarking, and baggage is

being loaded as rapidly as possible.  It

is supposed that we leave this evening,

or early in the morning.  I should have

stated that a portion of Col. Crook’s

force joined us here, coming down the

river on the north bank, they having

been laying at Meadow Bluffs, near

Lewisburg, Greenbrier Co., all summer.  It

might be in place here to state what

troops are left in our rear at the

head of the Kanawha Valley, for it’s

protection, for the acquisition of this same

valley will furnish great and to the

rebels, in the way of salt, an article

which, with them, has either “lost its

savor”, or is becoming exceedingly scarce.

The 34^th (Pratt Zouave) Regiment O. V. I., came

back from Flat Top to Raleigh, where they

now remain, together, with the 37^th O. V. I.,

which, two Regt’s garrison our advance on the

west side of New River.  Fayetteville

is but lightly garrisoned, but has

excellent fortifications on commanding

positions.  The advance towards Lewis=

=burg is protected by the 44^th & 47^th

O. V. I., and some Virginia Reg’ts are along

the Valley.  These, with a slight cavalry

and artillery support, constitute the force

proper, at this time delegated to keep

and protect the Kanawha Valley.

     The troops now leaving are organized

into what is called the Kanawha Division,

from the fact of their already protracted

campaign in the Kanawha country.  The

Division consists of the 11^th, 12^th, 23^rd, 28^th,

30^th, & 36^th O. V. I. Reg’ts, Simmon’s and McMullin’s

Ohio Batteries, and Gilmore’s, West’s and Schaumbeck’s [?]

Cavalry, all under command of Brig. Gen. J. D. Cox.

This organized is organized into two Brigades,

called 1^st and 2^nd Provisional, and commanded

respectively by Cols. Scammon, 23^rd O. V. I. and

Col. Moore, 28^th O. V. I.

     Camp Piatt is ten miles above Charleston,

                                                                             

and at low stages of water, is the head

of navigation.  It was called Piatt, from

Col., now Brig. Gen. Piatt, formerly of the 

34^th. O. V. I.

     This must suffice for the present, as

it is presumed that in the attempt to

briefly describe the positions, we have, at

least, partially succeeded in making the

subject clear.  With this, our journey

waits a day or two for a continuance.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925