Oxford Times, September 11, 1861
Ceredo, Va., Aug. 29th, 1861
Editor Times: Dear Sir: Perhaps some of your readers will immediately recognize the name of the place at which this communication is dated, while others would inquire of its whereabouts, &c. This town is that laid out by Hon. Eli Thayer as the principal one of his settlements, which he projected in this part of Western Virginia, and affords in its large and commodious Hotel, stores, &c. ample evidence of the enthusiasm which characterized the projectors of great enterprises in this unfortunate section of country and which the deserted Foundries, Hotels, stores and warehouses which everywhere meet the gaze in the voyage of the "Ohio," abundantly attest. This town is situated on the banks of the Ohio, about two miles above the mouth of "Big Sandy" which is the dividing line between Virginia and Kentucky. The number of its inhabitants at present is uncertain. There are about thirty buildings here including a fine four story brick Hotel, stores &c, sufficient for a town of a dozen times its size, and which were undoubtedly built before there were any dwelling houses projected and which unfortunately for the capital already invested, never were built to any great extent. It is laid out on the high bottom lands, with which this vicinity abounds, and is now about entirely deserted of its inhabitants. The 7th Va. Regiment, Col. Leigler now forming here, occupies its spacious buildings. As we approached from the Ohio side, the booming of cannon and the inspiring music of the drum and fife greeted our ears, betokening something of an usual interest in the camp. As we came into town we met several ununiformed companies, coming in an opposite direction who were, we were informed, just returning from the occupation of Wayne Court house about 25 miles out. A more unsoldierly appearance could hardly be made in this latter day than that exhibited by these raw recruits, but if enthusiasm in the good cause and strength of muscle and limb prevail, then will these when uniformed and equipped, be troops worthy of southern steel. As we entered camp Pierpont (so called from their new Governor), everything betokened life and activity. The Regiment returned from a twenty mile march , many of them without shoes and all but poorly clad, were eagerly devouring their rations, the like of which they had not tasted for twelve hours at least. Hearing that they had brought with them some prisoners of note, we were, through the kindness of Major Olmstead conducted past sentinel and guard, to their quarters. There were nine of them. The leader, Col. Spurlock of the 167th Va. State Militia, U.S.A., a tall six footer of youthful appearance, his father, a silver haired, Methodist preacher and a member of the Richmond convention, and several privates. They were immediately put on board a Government boat and sent to Wheeling, where they will be furnished quarters at the expense of the Government against which they have rebelled.
Having obtained a pass to go out of the State (it is under martial law here) we are about to leave that portion of the "sacred soil" which is soon to become the State of Kanawha. Business, in southern Ohio is very much depressed, while over the border in Kentucky, everything is dead, dead,---Collections cannot be made except in Pig Iron, which is legal tender here, and then one is no better off, for if he gets rid of that he has to take pig iron for pay. There is scarcely any money in circulation. The crops are looking finely. On the river bottoms for miles each way nothing meets the gaze but one extensive cornfield. Fruit of all kinds is abundant. We have just returned from a visit to a coal mine, into which we penetrated for nearly a mile, the passage in places so low that we were forced to go on "all fours." In one place where the rock had settled and was propped up, I was prompted to ask the question "What if that should fall on us"? My companion immediately remarked that it would be a "big thing" on us, which was doubtless meant for a joke, but I was so thoroughly impressed with the seriousness of the matter that "I didn't see it." The business of mining is reduced of course, in proportion to the inactivity of the manufacturing interests, so that there was not so much activity in the mines as usual. The only lively things which I have seen here are the Hogs. Someone has said that "out west" every third man was a hog, but in Kentucky the hogs are the real and not the exception.
You meet with regiments of them parading up and down with officers and privates complete, each one seeming to consider himself "Principal musician." in the "Regimental Band" and all pitching their notes on a terrible high key. But this subject, as well as this letter must be getting to be a bore. As Artemas Ward would say, this is not intended for a "goal." V.W.
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