Wednesday, [May] 11. — To Blacksburg, nine miles, through a finely cultivated country; constant pursuit of mounted videttes. We caught Colonel Linkus, formerly of [the] Thirty-sixth [Virginia], as he was leaving town. Camped about 2 P. M. on a fine slope in a fierce rain-storm. No comfort.
I protect all the property in my vicinity. I take food and forage and burn rails, but all pillaging and plundering my brigade is clear from. I can’t say as much for the Pennsylvania regiments, Third and Fourth, etc. Their conduct is most disgraceful. An officer may be excused for an occasional outrage by some villain in his command, but this infamous and universal plundering ought to dispose of shoulder-straps. Camped on Amos’ farm — engaged in the Rebellion.
Tuesday, [May] 10. — Went to New River Bridge. They shelled the woods filled with our men killing three or four. A fine artillery duel between our guns on the high ground on the west side of the river, theirs on the east. The Rebel effort was to keep our men from firing the bridge. It was soon done. A fine scene it was, my band playing and all the regiments marched on to the beautiful hills hurrahing and enjoyed the triumph. Marched thence to Pepper’s Ferry and spent the afternoon and night fording and ferrying the river. Sixteen miles.
May 9. — Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain, or as Rebs call it “Cloyd Farm.” Lasted one hour and a half. The Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth, under the immediate direction of General Crook, charged across a meadow three hundred yards wide, sprang into a ditch and up a steep wooded hill to Rebel breastworks, carried them quickly but with a heavy loss. Captain Hunter killed. Lieutenant Seaman ditto. Abbott’s left arm shattered. Rice a flesh wound. Eighteen killed outright; about one hundred wounded — many mortally. This in [the] Twenty-third. [The] Thirty-sixth less, as the Twenty-third led the column. Entered Dublin Depot, ten and one-half miles, about 6:30 P. M. A fine victory. Took some prisoners, about three hundred, [and] five pieces [of] artillery, many stores, etc., etc. A fine country; plenty of forage. My loss, two hundred and fifty [men].
May 8. Sunday. — Rocky Gap to Poplar Hill (Sharmon’s), twenty-four miles. — Ten from Giles; ten and one-half from Dublin. Rebels probably ahead of us getting ready.
May 7. — A hard day’s march. Left Princeton at 4 A. M., crossed East River Mountain and passed through Rocky Gap. To cross roads nine miles, to Gap, eighteen — a twenty-mile march.
May 6. Friday. — To Princeton sixteen miles. Very hot and dusty. Enemy left yesterday evening except a small camp guard. Camps and baggage of officers all left; apparently deceived by our manœuvres or [they] trusted too much to the blockade. General Crook’s strategy has succeeded perfectly in deceiving the Rebels. Main force [under] Colonel McCausland, said to have gone to meet us towards Lewisburg. Rebels had begun pretty extensive and well-constructed works. We burn their camps. Foolish business to entrench this point at this stage of the game. In green sods on the parapet was the name “Fort Breckinridge.” Our boys changed it to “Fort Crook.”
May 5, Thursday. — From Prince’s to Camp Creek, twenty-five miles. Road blocked by chopping trees. Cleared by thirty or forty of our axemen as fast as the column needed to pass. We led off reaching Flat Top at 11 o’clock A. M.
May 4, Wednesday. — Marched 5:30 A. M. from Blake’s to Prince’s, fifteen miles; Third Brigade, Colonel Sickles, in advance. Fine, bright weather. Soldiers call out to General Beckley: “Now bring on your militia!” A laugh rings out.
May 3, Tuesday. — Marched to Blake’s, thirteen miles. Called with Colonel White on Colonel Sickles. Get an order from division headquarters regulating halts. General Crook orders, “No rails to be burned.” Hard to enforce but am doing my best. The Thirty-sixth obey promptly. Others grumble. General Crook is testing our discipline!
May 2. — March at 6 A. M. to Fayettevllle. Reached camp on Raleigh road in a cold driving rain at 1 P. M. Camped on wet ground in snow. A rough opening of our campaign.
Fifth and Seventh [Virginia Cavalry], six hundred men, [under] Major Slack, attached to [the] First Brigade. [The] Thirty-fourth [Ohio], Major Furney, two hundred and seventy men, ditto. — Twelve miles.
