22nd. Up at 4. Rain froze as it fell. Awfully cold. At 5:30 “To horse” sounded. Soon a yell went up near the 2nd Brig., then a few shots. We were ordered to mount immediately—did it. A line could be seen on a distant hill. A few men came up within a few rods of camp. We moved to the flank, came front into line, my Batt. 1st in advance. Threw out skirmishers. Firing commenced immediately and we advanced, firing. Rebs run. Captured two and killed two. The command proved to be Rosser’s Div. which came in from the back road and from the flank. Charged the 2nd Brig. and drove it. Passed to the rear and captured several ambulance horses. Result was 30 men killed, wounded and missing on our side. 22 men captured from rebs and 10 killed. One of H Co. sabre cut, and one horse killed. Moved back and camped at Woodstock. 2nd on picket. Small force of the enemy followed. Skirmished till dark.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
21st. Wednesday. Orders regarding success of Sherman and Thomas, read to us near Mt. Jackson. Camped 8 miles south of Newmarket. Rained.
20th. Up at four. An early breakfast. 3rd Div. started up the valley, while 1st and 2nd went in another direction with 10 days’ rations. Camped at Woodstock.
19th. Wrote home. Orders to march in the morning at 6:30 A. M.
18th. Sunday. A good letter from Prof. Peck. A beautiful picture of Melissa and the darling baby (Carrie Nettleton Thurber). Letter from home. Wrote to the Prof.
From his letter to Prof. Peck.
Everybody in the 2nd Ohio is familiar with the name and services of Prof. Peck, of Oberlin, the man who has always done so much for the Ohio soldiers, both the sick and well, and who had an article in the paper a short time ago about the 2nd Ohio.
The boys are delighted with your praise of the Regiment. I have told a good many what you wrote in regard to us. All say, “Well, if he says that he does not know a regiment which has done better than ours, we ought to feel proud, for he is well acquainted with Ohio troops.”
Our Regiment has been sadly depleted during the campaign. It has not been recruited, but we hope to have it filled up, if another call for troops shall be made. Perhaps a portion of the records of Company C, with which I am serving will interest you. On the 1st day of May, 1864, the Company left Washington with forty-eight men, all told. During the summer, seven recruits joined it, making a total of fifty-five. From May 1st until this date, the losses foot up as follows: Five killed—all brave and good—thirty wounded and seventeen missing. Today we number for duty, eleven enlisted men, every one good soldiers.
Theodore is robust and always ready for duty. He is well-fashioned for a soldier, having a hardy constitution and a jolly temperament. He was pleased to be remembered by you.
Yesterday I received a beautiful Christmas gift from my friends, Will Hudson, Fred Allen, Delos Haynes and Charley Fairchild, a pair of shoulder-straps. The Col. received a very cunning picture today of Sister Melissa, with her little treasure Carrie in her arms.
The glorious news from Gen’ls Thomas and Sherman has just been read to us. We gave three hearty cheers. We hope that the end is not far distant.
Yours truly,
Lumen H. Tenney,
Capt. 2nd O. V. V. C.
17th. Saturday. More good news from Thomas. Brigade officer of the day. Rode over to infantry. Received a beautiful pair of shoulder straps as Christmas gift—with a note from A. B.
16th. Got news of Thomas’ attack on Hood’s flank. Great rejoicing in infantry.
15th. Got horses shod. Cloudy. Saw F. again in my dreams. I wish I could be rid of this thought about such things. Could never live at home. Am better off here than I would be there.
14th. Went twice to mustering officer without success. Finished “Dante” and “Dream Life” by Ike Marvel. Beautiful pictures of life, beautiful because so real. Good lessons. Had good visits with Easton and McBride. Clear.
13th. Notice of appointment from Adj. Gen’l of Ohio as captain came. Went over to muster. No success. Several promotions.
