Henry Wise Retreats Before The Union Advance Into (Western) Virginia

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Good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Corp. John C. Barton, Co. C, 23rd Ohio Vols. (President Rutherford B. Hayes' command), Weston, Lewis Co., [West] Virginia, Aug. 26, [61], reading, in part: "…we have marched over 200 miles since last I wrote…had several small skirmishes…we shall probably stay here and hold possession of Weston…we have encamped in the following places…Clarksburgh, Weston, Birch Creek…& Summerville…we have been within a mile of Wises' forces but they retreated beyond our reach before we could surround them. We will probably remain here until after the Battle of Manassas Gap and then go down into Tennessee…Weston is county seat of Lewis County situated on a branch of the Monongeholy River and almost surrounded by mountains. It was designated to be one of the largest places in Western Virginia…the most splendid piece of architecture…was intended for a deaf, dumb and blind asylum…is over 1300 feet in length…built of grey sand stone but they are doing nothing at it now. When we first came here the inhabitants had mostly deserted but…most of them come back…today we had the company of several ladies at church. We have taken several prisoners…some of them will be sent to Camp Chase, others have took the oath of allegiance and returned to their homes…J. C. Barton, Commissary Corporal, Co. C, 23 Rig. O. V. U. S. A…". Usual soiling, else VG

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