CAMP DENNISON

I arrived at Camp in Due time and have been busy helping fix our quarters and leveling harred ground . Our quarters are Better than they was at Camp Jackson. We Recd 60 Muskets Thursday evening for to practice with. I got the comfort the same day that I arrived here and it came in very good play. We have slept first rate since we came here. I was put upon guard Thursday at 8 o'clock and stood till eight the next morning. 16 out of 24 hours. The common time is 8 out of 24. The guard is regulated now so that we only have to stand 2 hours on and 4 of. We have a very pleasant Camp much more so than Camp Jackson. I don't know when I will come home. I expect to stay here 2 or 3 weeks. If I can get off I will be up to see the folks. We will get our uniforms next week. I guess we are all well and some of us are getting fat, Upon the food that we have. I tell you that ours Is some pumpkin Meat potatoes coffee and bread are the principle things that we have to eat. We have seven or eight thousand encamped about us. 20,000 thousand is the number that our camp is allowed to contain. We are not a going to get any Revolvers from the citizens. They have advanced in Price So much that it would take over $2000 to amnest our citizens with them. I am a going to keep those that I have got. You must write and let me know how the folks are and how they talk about Shawhan and the rest of the Democrats. I guess the Morrow Company Is considered about as good as any. Our Regiment Is a rifle regiment. We rather have the promise of getting rifle s. You must all write and let me know all of the news. I give my love to all the folks and to Ann.

Direct your letters
E. Beeman
Camp Dennison
Care of Capt. Wallace

CAMP DENNISON

Dear father, I recd the clothes as well as the letter you sent to me and was very glad to hear that you were all well. Our Camp is very pleasantly Situated upon the western Side of the river hemmed in by lofty hills. The Camp is large enough to accommodate 25,000 men. There is only about 8,000 in Camp at present. Each of us recd a musket apiece today for to train with. We will have rifles when we go into active service. I expect we will stay here several weeks yet. There Is more probability of us being ordered to Caro than anywhere else. Since Kentucky has decided to remain in the Union there is not So much fear of Cincinnati being attacked. A cannon came up on the cars from Cincinnati yesterday. They was a practicing with It. I expect you heard them firing. I was very glad to get my clothes and writing utensils. We get along, pretty well down here much better than we did at Camp Jackson. We have our quarters assigned to us here. I and John Kelly are pardners in most everything. He got his trunk from home the other day and we put our things together. We have Volunteered for three months. I expect we will be requested to stay 3 years or to the end of the War. When our time is out I expect some of the boys will get enough of It at the end of 3 months. There is some talk of about 50 ladies coming down here tomorrow. The best time for you folks to come down would be about friday week. When you write tell me if Ethels folks are well. We expect to get our Uniforms next week. They say we are learning pretty fast. Well I shall bring my letter to a close hoping that you are all well. I will try and come home if I can get off. I sent my Sachel and shirt home.

Direct your letters to
Elijah Beeman
12th Regt. Camp Dennison

The Regiment remained there at Camp Dennison until they received orders to reorganize for a 3 year Tour of Duty, instead of the original 3 months.

Those who chose to enlist for the 3 year tour were enrolled from May 30^th to June 25^th, and those who did not enlist were mustered out as usual from July 30^th to August 23^rd of 1861.

On May 30^th of 1861 Elijah volunteered to fight for his country for 3 years and was re-enlisted into Company A of the 12^th Infantry Regiment of Ohio.

Dear Father. I recd your letter a few minutes ago Stating that you were all well except your self. I an sorry to know that you are troubled by me volunteering for three years. I would have come home sooner but our company could not leave all at once. I have The promise of getting to go home for 5 or 6 days. I thought I would wait till I got my uniform before I come home. Captain Went up to town yesterday to fill up the Company and We have to wait till he comes back before we can have our Election. Those that went home went on conditions. I was unconditional. Therefore I will have longer to stay at home. I expect. We will be sent to Western Virginia in less than three weeks. Give my love to all, Hope you will forgive the delay That has been keeping me back.

Your affectionate Son
E. Beeman

I am In a hurry for the mail goes up pretty Soon. I will be up between now and Sunday Maybe in The Morning. Never fear ever thing for the best.

The Regiment left for the Kanawha valley on July 6th, arrived at Point Pleasant on the 9th, and on the 17th fought the battle of Scary Creek, West Virginia, the enemy being strongly posted beyond a ravine.

 The regiment fought for 3 hours and after exhausting its ammunition fell back in good order to its camp at the mouth of the Pocotaligo, with a loss of 5 killed, 30 wounded and 4 missing.

Dear Parents,

I again undertake to write you a letter. It will be two weeks tonight since I've left Camp Dennison. We have crossed through so many adventures and change of scenes since we left Camp Dennison, that it seems almost a month. We are encamped within 17 miles of Charleston where **fold in page, line  "Old Gov. Wise............forth a"**   large body of men. The 12th Regiment had a Battle the 17th. I've marched up the river about 5 miles to a town by the name of Skery. Where the Enemy had a fortified position upon a hill, A Battery of Two-Cannons. We marched upon the Battery of them, when within 1000 yards they opened with grape. The Battery was screened by a grove of timber we didn't see it till we was almost upon it. But we knew where it was. The enemy opened upon us with grape. But most of the Balls Passed over our heads, one spent ball struck Roderick Schlosmiller in the Breast, A grape shot of 4 oz. weight. But didn't hurt him any. The boys Noddled like a parsel of geese. when you throw stones amongst them. We had two rifle cannons with us. We tore down the fence had our cannons posted. Our artilery opened upon the enemies Battery, busted one of their guns and dismounted another. We advanced to within 800 yards of the enemys works and fired upon them with our rifles, they would pop up their heads, fire, and fall back. I and John Kelly crept up within 400 yards of the enemy in a ravine. We fire turned over upon our backs and loaded. The Battle was fought in Indian Stile. The Battle lasted 2 hours and 10 minutes. We lost 7 men Killed and 20 wounded. The enemy admit 65 Killed and 200 wounded. Our ammunition failed and the enemy received reinforcements of 100 men and one Rifle Cannon. The Bullets flew past like a swarm of bee's. There was about 15 or 20 thousand rounds of musket and riflery and eighty cannon shot-the company got-several spent balls that struck by our feet. I guess it was the hardest fight that has been in this part of Virginia by Fairchild. Jim Shafer were shot through the thigh. 5 in our company ??? This is a romantic country we are within 7 or 8 miles of Coal Creek. Jacob Pfiefer is a Union Man he was captured by the rebbles and kept 7 days but made his escape. Major Hines was at Buckhannon at the time. Write soon and let me know how things are going on.

My love to all.

24 of our company are sick.

Camp Flat Top

Dear Sister

Once more I seat myself to write you a fiew lines hopeing that by the time they arrive at home -- you will be fully recovered. I am sorry to hear that you are sick but hope that God in his mercy will Restore your health. Dear Sister these are dark times but let us hope for brighter days to come. The darkest hours are often before the dawn of day then that day is more brighter by the preceeding darkness. Yes our beloved Country is shaken to its very center, adverse winds meet in terable conflict subside. and nothing is left but the still small voices that whispered desolation.

While the conflict is going on we witness at a distance. The wind that blows the most good. It is our duty -- yes our only hope, to favor the better of the two that it may be triumphant in the end. We are having some very beautiful weather with Breeze enough to make it pleasant during the day. and comfortable at night. There is some talk of us leaving camp but I guess that is all that it amounts to. Our Regt. is very healthy but one man has died since we left Charleston (over two months) Ann, I heard that Rebecca Shawhan was married, isit so. I would like to see the folks and have a little talk but I do not know when I will have the opportunity. write soon. Give my love to all inquireing friends. Remember me to uncle and aunt. write when you can tell me all the news and oblige your loving Brother Lige

To All that may read
Good bye

In camp at Bulltown
S. of W. Va.
40 or 50 miles

Dear Parents,

I Recd your letter of the 28th and was very glad to hear from you although the letter was Short. We now are encamped Between 40 and 50 miles South West of Weston. We have got Marching orders To meet Gen. Lee We have done some very hard Marching Since I wrote last. Our camp is Situate upon the Little Kanawha River Just where the Road crosses the River. I Expect you have Walked over the ground where we are encamped. I made a mistake in saying 40 or 50 miles I should have said 25. I am well at present and Enjoy my Self as Would. The country is very rough But Beautiful. I expect We will get sight of the Rebbles Shortly. They have quit letting soldiers and Co. officers know where they are going to March for some of them haven't sense enough to keep anything. Consequently the Enemy would find out our Intention. I think it the Best Way. I wrote a letter sometime ago to Sister Ann. But I think from the tone of your letter you hadn't got it yet at the time. I got the Chothes that you sent to me Which came in very good Play. We get along very well with the Grub that we get at least it is good Enough for me. I should Like Very Much to give you a Discription of the Country Circumstances But haven't a very good chance to write. Excuse all Mistakes. We expect to get paid Soon But Don't know When. If I have an opportunity I will send Some of my money home. We now have a very good stock of ammunition 6 or 7000 Rounds for our Company Which Weighs 6 or 700 lbs. Well I shall have to bring my letter to a close hoping that we may all Meet again. We have orders to Move at one o'clock. Write again and let me know how you all are. Uncles folks included. Let Uncle see this. It is intended for all.

Good Bye God Bless you all Write soon
Elijah Beeman

Co A Parkersburgh Va
12th Regt 0 V
Your son,
E. B.

Mountaincoal
Camp Code

I Recd your very welcome letter sometime 3 or 4 days ago & got one from the folks yesterday. I was glad to hear that you were all well. I would have written sooner. But I have been cooking for a week past and could not get time. We now are within eleven miles of Gauley Bridge camped in a kind of a Bason formed by the junction of the different Ranges of hills. It would be a very Pleasant Place if it Didn't rain so much. We have passed through within two weeks past a country abounding in the most beautiful scenery that I ever beheld. We lack only 10 or eleven miles of having made a circular march of 500 miles mostly over very rough country. Well, Ann, yesterday I was 19. It rained all day and I had to cook for 14 men all that we are in our mess. I made coffee Boiled and I made mutton soup thickened it with rice. I will give you the names of the men belonging to our mess. James Phillips I. C. Keever John Kelly Will Shields John Trovillo, Jack Hester Jacob Smith, Christian N. Smith sick, Wm Downs, John J. Skinner sick. Clark Howard sick Elias Whiteacre (sick) James Watkins unwell. Eden Whiteacre, John Howard John Long, Mike Long (both sick) Wm A. Mirander and My Self. I am as hearty as I ever was. It is useless for a man of a weak Constitution to undertake to soldier in Western Virginia. The 12th Regt. has went through a good many hardships since it left Camp Dennison. It has been in two Battles while the other Regts haven't seen a Battle not more than one a farthest C. N. Smith is very sick with the fever. I feel Thankful to say that I am well. There is only about 350 men able for Duty in the 12th. When they left camp Dennison there was no able men including Officers. Most all other Regts. have their full amount. We just recd our winter clothes the other day. consisting of over coat Blanket, shoes, pants, Dwarers, socks blouce or wamas, caps and shirts which come very comfortable. I had a pretty good swim the other Day. The Eleventh of Sept. the Day after the Battle.

Our company went to the ferry to see how things looked where the enemy had crossed. The Adjutant Gen. called for volunteers to try the Depth of the River. I and another boy in our company halled off our Duds and pitched in. found it was not fordable. we came back and Dressed up. When we heard that some of Col. Wylons men who were taken Prisoners by the south were in an old house about 200 yards from the oposite side of the River. Corp. Dingly and I from Co F got upon a raft went across the River. We left our guns behind us. the boys rowed the raft Behind us the boys rowed the raft and I went for the men the raft had taken over before and returned when we was fired upon by some 8 or 10 of the enemy who were hid in the bushes. The Bullets missed pretty smart about my head. The other two ran for the Bushes. I broke Down the River got Behind a rock took off my clothes prepared to take a swim. It was so swift that I was not afraid to undertake as I was entirely covered. I had to go Down the River a mile or so to get to a suitable place for to take a swim. I was in no danger of being shot by the enemy or our men either. I took my Blouse hat, pants, shirt, Blanket, shoes and cartrage Box. I sunk them in the River to keep the Secesh from getting them. All that I had saved was my Revolver and Bayonet which were upon my waist Belt. I was striped for about 2 hours.

I wrote a letter to Uncle Ethel the other Day.

CAMP HUDELSTON

Dear Parents

I Recd your very Welcome letter of the 25th. The same time that I got the clothes that you had the kindness to send to me. Which came very acceptable. I got everything But the Boots Which Would have Been worth more to me than twice their price. There was Some 3 Or 4 pair taken from the Box while It laid upon the Warf Boat at Gallipolis. I am glad to hear that you are all well and I am thankful that I can say the Same Nothing of Importance has transpired lately But our March from Hawkins Nest to our Present Camp 7 miles below Gauley Bridge. We have Been a Scouting for two Days past. It is very Muddy Weather. The Roads are half knee Deep With the above mentioned article. We have Just Recd a nice lot of Steel Rifle Cannon to wile away the Dreary hours of A Stormy Autumn. There is a lot of clothes here this morning for the 12th Regt. But they have not Been Distributed yet. I have Been Waiting for some time for an answer to the Letter that I wrote to Uncle Ethel Sometime ago . It is a Blustery Rainy morning and I have Nothing to Do But to Stay in our tent. I suppose you hear various Rumors in Regard to the 12th a wintering In Camp Dennison. I guess we will not see Camp Dennison for Sometime yet. I would like to See the folks very Well . I don't think you would hardly know me If I would step in unannounced. I am getting Broader and heavier Proportioned consequently I look a little More Like The Old Sir. It Seams as though they intend to make it a Political War, if they do I am in. I think I will apply for a furlough this Winter if there will Be any chance for me to get one. The officers can go home Why not the Privates. The soldiers are Wronged Shamefuly they commission Green Boys at home and send them out here to Command Soldiers who have Went Through hardships from Storms and Exposure (and have learn ed the Best lessons) Lessons of Experience taking the Rights away from the only Deserving class, Who have Laid aside their occupations left their homes and friends for their Beloved Country. It is too provoking to think of our Rights Being trampled under foot. We had plenty of men in our Company capable to fill the office of 2 Lieut. But they sent one from the Rail Road. Clements Nephew. The U S Army will never have Success worth Noteing till Experience and worthiness is considered rather than Riches and Influence. Excuse poor writing give my love to all enquiring friends to Aunt Sarah Mother Aunt Polly Sister Mother Brothers and all.

Your Son as Ever
Elijah Beeman

Direct to Elijah Beeman
Co A 12th Regt O V

CAMP HUDDLESTON

Dear Sister

I Recd your very welcome Letter and also one from father. I was glad to hear that you were all well and enjoying the Blessings of kind Providence. I could have written sooner but we had just returned from a very hard and tedious March in persuit of Gen Floid & his followers. We pursued him so closely that he was obliged to burn a great amount of camp equipage to keep it from falling in to our hands. We found a good amount of ammunition that they had hid in Houses along the route. Gen Roseranes the Rebbles came and fire into gauley for to catch them in a trap. I had everything placed well But he did no t execute quick enough. the fault that has kept success from us for so long. Old Jim Renham is the best ever in this Division. he has as good a Regt as there is in evidence as Virginia Commanded by Cols White Smith & Lytle . Well now I think we will winter in Camp Dennison at least it is the oppinion of the best in informed men of these parts. Most of the boys are well. I still have very good health. I am so fat that they call me bony . I think I will come home this winter. You said that Rebecca Drake was about to be married. I wish her much Joy. How is Jo getting along give him my best wishes. How are the girles agetting along anymore of them going to get married. If they are just tell them they will fool their selve by so doing. how is Uncle Ethel amaking it pay I expect it is hard for the farmers to make a living at present. While the contractors are getting rich If the girls ask anything about me tell them I will be at home this winter if I live and have good luck. Our present camp is situated 7 or 8 miles below Gauley Bridge surrounded by rugged clifts such as I have spoke of before. Nothing of importance has transpired very lately. O yes as you did not tell me who that was that came to see you since I left. I wonder if I am acquainted with her. I think if I can come home we must have a visit together. When you write tell me all of the news and how all of the neighbors are. I give my love to Aunt Polly Shawham Aunt Sarah and all of the folks. I hope that peace may again bless the land. I pray that we may all meet again and enjoy the blessings of kind Providence will still protect and guard over me. from your affectionate Brother Lige

give my love to John Jeff mother father and all
Good bye

CHARLESTON

Dear Father,

As Ed Grim has been Delayed in getting off I concluded to write a few lines to let you know how I am. I have Been rather unwell for several Days but I hope to be better soon. Most of the boys are well. Lige Wagoner arrived here today. He said the folks are well. I had hoped to have missed my Winter sickness. Acquired I suppose from having a foul Stomach. I intend to go to town tomorrow if I am able to try and get Some Simple Medacine. I have went to see the Regimental Doctor twist. The first time he gave me about a handful of Powders which I Burned up when I got to the quarters. This morning he gave me a lot of Pills. I took one just for curiousity. I notice the Blue Mass. pills were prominent. I think I will be at home this Winter if nothing is done in the Valley before Spring. Give my love to all of the friends. News came the other night that England was a going to interfere in our affairs, but we have since heard news to the contrary. I shall have to bring my letter to a close. Write soon. So Good Bye

Your Son as
Ever Lige

CHARLESTON VA.

Dear Father,

I seat myself to write you a few Lines in answer to your very welcome letter of the 26th. l have been Pretty Sick with Jaundice but am a g reat Deal Better now. I think I will go to the Co in a few days. I have been in the hospi tal ever since the 24th and recd first rate care. The Doctor gave me Blue Mass Pills Enough to kill a horse and Powders of nearly Pure Mercury. He said that the Liver kneeded stirring up, but I would not take his Pills. I thought If he wanted to stir up my liver he might Do So with a stick. I am going to the Druggist this afternoon to see if I can't get some Extract of Dandoline. I can' t tell when I will get to come home. I would like to come now But I can't get a furlough. I think that I will come before spring if I should get sick again I will try my best to get one. The men were mustered today. I shouldn't wonder if we would be payed pretty soon again if we are I want to send home all that I can spare for we have so many chances to spend money. I have spent more since I have Been a soldiering than I intend to do again in the same length of time. The Hospital is in a very pleasant Place near the river. Just in the upper part of town. The Negroes are the biggest Nuisance. The Wenches strut about worse than Peacocks in harvest and try to attract the attention of Passers by. I think there is about two colored inhabitants to one of White. Times are very brisk in Charleston now. Boats arrive and Depart almost every day. The Papers seem to think that England is agoing to come against us. We are not in very good circumstances to contend with a foreign power. But if she wants to whip us let her flicker. I am glad to hear that all of the folks are well. have got along very well since I have Been sick. John Kelly is as kind as a Mother. I think I will go to Camp in a Day or two. Tell Uncle to write for I would like to hear from him, so well. Give my love to all of the folks. Mother and all of the Rest, tell Mother that the Legs that she Laugh so much about have Done me good Service Since I have Been in Virginia. My Love to Uncle and Aunt and Children and all. With the hope that we may meet Soon. Write soon. So good Bye.

Your affectionate
son Lige

Tell me where to direct Letters I want to write to Aunt Phebe.