1862 August 20 Portland, Ohio

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

                             Lebark[?]. Ohio, Aug. 20, 1862, - Morning

     At 4 P.M. yesterday we had arrived at

the mouth of the Great Kanawha, and for

the first time in months, and to some

for more than a year, our eyes viewed

the soil of our native State, the glorious

Ohio.  As the “Logan”  rounded to at

Point Pleasant, and commenced ploughing

the waters of the Ohio, a loud cheer broke

the silence, coming spontaneously from the

soldiers on board, who felt that the

occasion was certainly an epoch in their

lives.  An hour or so after entering the

Ohio, we neared Pomeroy, the county-seat of

Meigs Co., Ohio.  On touching at the wharf,

we were greeted with hurrahs and cheers,

together with more substantial proofs of

kindness and patriotism; a shower of

cakes, pies, and fruit, miscellaneously

thrown amongst us.  This, the gift of

the good people of Pomeroy to entire strangers,

is regarded as an earnest of their patriotism &

loyalty.  The incident has made an impress

 upon all concerned, which will not soon

be forgotten, nor can we speak of the

citizens of Pomeroy without awakening

pleasant thoughts in the minds of those,

who were recipients of the edibles, and

had such kindness shown them by the

Pomeroy people.  We will not soon forget

such.  Long may they live, and

happily.

     At dark, we left Pomeroy, and proceeded

gradually up the river, and a short time

after night we ‘tied up,’ as it was

said the river was so low in places as

to be difficult of passage, even with the

aid of daylight.  At dawn this morn=

=ing we were again on the way, but had

proceeded but a short distance before

we were compelled to lighten the boat in

order that she might pass over the shoals
opposite here.  As a matter of course, this
was done by the soldiers getting off, and
going above on foot.  It being difficult
for the boat to pass over, we had plenty

of time to stroll about this pretty little
village, and converse with the denizens,
who were quite friendly and communicative.
They gave many of us excellent breakfasts,
and uniformly treated us kindly.  Such
manifestations of kindness will touch
the heart and feelings of the roughest
Soldier, as they do.  How often have 
I heard the contrast drawn by numbers 
that within a day or two past we
have been the recipients of more kindness
than in our whole Western Va., campaign,
from Western Virginians.
                             Portland, O., Aug. 20. Evening
     We proceeded slowly today in consequence
of the low stage of the water.  Without 
incident of note, we gained this point about
the middle of the afternoon.  At Buffington’s
Island, a short distance below, there are a
number of boats endeavoring to come up.
It will require time and labor to succeed.
Most of the citizens here are very kind,
and affable, and courteous.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

 MSS 13925