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side the advance-guard could be seen in the distance, the main body in theroad, with skirmishers exploring the way in front and flankers on the sides.Now and then a horseman would bring some message to the shore from thefront, and a small boat would be sent to receive it, giving us the rumors withwhich the country was rife, and which gave just enough of excitement and ofthe spice of possible danger to make this our first day in the enemy’s countrykey everybody to a pitch that doubled the vividness of every sensation. Thelandscape seemed more beautiful, the sunshine more bright, and the exhilara-tion of outdoor life more joyous than any we had ever before known.
Our first night’s camp was in a picturesque spot in keeping with the beautiesof the day’s progress, and was enlivened by a report that the enemy wasadvancing to attack us in force. It was only a rumor, based upon the actualapproach of a reconnoitering party of cavalry, and the camp was not allowedto be disturbed except to send a small reconnoissanee forward on our own part.Two more days’ advance, in the face of a slight skirmishing resistance, broughtus to the Pocotaligo, a stream entering the Kanawha from the north.
Wise had placed his principal camp at Tyler Mountain, a bold spur whichreaches the river on the northern side (on which is also the turnpike road)about 12 miles above my position, while he occupied the south side witha detachment above Scary Creek some 3 miles from us. The hills closing innearer to the river make it easy to stop steamboat navigation with a smallforce, and it became necessary to halt a little and await the arrival of thewagons which had not yet been sent me, and of the 2d Kentucky regiment,which was marching to me from Barboursville, where one wing of it, com-manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Neff, had a brilliant little affair with a body ofConfederate recruits occupying the place. On the afternoon of the 17th, theKentuckians having arrived, and a reconnoissanee having been made of theScary Creek position, which was found to be held by about 500 of the enemywith 1 or 2 cannon, Colonel John W. Lowe of the 12th Ohio was ferried overthe river with his own regiment and 2 companies of the 21st Ohio with our2 cannon, and directed to occupy the attention of the enemy in front at thecreek, which was unfordable at its mouth, while he tried to turn the positionwith part of his command. The enemy at first retreated, leaving one cannondisabled, but, being reenforced, they rallied, and, no good crossing of the creekbeing found, Lowe was foiled in his effort to dislodge them after a sharpengagement across the stream.
The wagons reached us a few at a time, but by the 24th I was able to movefrom our strong position behind Pocotaligo, and, taking circuitous countryroads among the hills, to come upon the rear of Wise’s camp at Tyler Mountain.The march was a long and difficult one, but was successful. As soon as hisoutposts were driven in, the enemy decamped in a panic, leaving his camp-kettles and supper over the fires. We had also cut off a steamboat withtroops which was just below us as we came to the bluff, and which, under thefire of our cannon, was run ashore and burned, while the detachments on theother side of the river hastened by country roads to rejoin Wise at Charleston .It was now nightfall, and we bivouacked upon the mountain-side. Wise