Our first, at Columbus, was “Camp Jackson,” now beautiful Goodale Park. At Athens, where we spent but a few days, our camp was by some called “Camp Jewett,” but I remember it as “Camp Scott.” At Marietta, “Camp Putnam.” At Parkersburg, “Camp Union,” so christened by Captain Buell. At the first “burnt bridge,” near Petroleum Station, on the B. & O. railroad, our camp took the name of “Camp Whip po’will” from the nocturnal and lugubrious serenades furnished us by this strange bird. Our next camp near Toll Gate Station, being located in an old pasture field, covered with briars, was dubbed “Camp Briar Patch,” by Manly Warren, a name that stuck. We next went into camp near Bridgeport on the beautiful farm of a Mr. Sandusky and for him we named our camp “Sandusky.” We remained at Oakland but a few days and I think no name was given this uncomfortable camping place. The following resolution, with others, was adopted by the boys while we were quartered at the Ohio Penitentiary: “Resolved, that this company owes a debt of gratitude to G. W. Gill, and to John A. Prentice, Warden of the Ohio Penitentiary, for relieving this company from the subterranean vaults of the State Capitol and furnishing them with comfortable quarters due to civilized and intelligent citizen soldiers.... R. L. NYE, Secy. T. G. FIELD, Chairman.” The following from the “Marietta Republican” of May 24, notes the one loss by death that came to us during our whole term of service. “George W. Ridgeway, one of the Marietta Volunteers, was taken sick at Columbus and discharged. A short time after he got home he died, and was buried at Rainbow, last Sunday (19th) with the honors of war by the Union Blues and the Defiance Infantry Company.” |