Monday, May 12. Camp at north of East River near line between Giles and Mercer Counties, eleven miles from Giles Courthouse. — We moved here to a strong position. The whole brigade as now organized is with us. This is the First Brigade of the Army of the District of Kanawha — General Cox. It consists of [the] Twelfth, Twenty-third, and Thirtieth Ohio Regiments, McMullen’s Battery (two brass six-pounders and four howitzers), and four companies [of] Paxton’s or Bowles’ Second Virginia Cavalry; with Captain Gilmore’s Cavalry for the present. Brigade commanded by Colonel Scammon.
Colonel White of [the] Twelfth a clever gentleman. Lieutenant-Colonel Hines, ditto, but a great talker and a great memory for persons and places.
Fine weather since Sunday the 4th. Out of grub, out of mess furniture. Rumors of the defeat of Milroy and of overwhelming forces threatening us. Great news by telegraph: The capture of Norfolk, blowing up the Merrimac, and the like! Corinth being abandoned. York peninsula falling into McClellan’s hands. If all that this indicates comes to pass, the Rebellion is, indeed, on its last legs.
