Saturday, July 9, 2011

Tuesday July 9

A train passed down about three o'clock last night having on board a company of cavalry and their horses.  This train ran over one of the Eggleston Guards on a trestle below McClures cutting off his legs.  He was carried to Mr. M'Clures where he died early this morning.  He told his comrades to tell his father that he died for his country.  His father is a dry goods merchant in Cincinnati.  His body was sent home on today's train.  Dr. Frank Hart was sent for but he was dead before he arrived.  A dispatch was sent this morning to the young man's friends.  God pity and sustain them in this hour of affliction.  
Kate and Lizzie went down to Calder's store to make a few purchases.  While they were gone we had the heaviest rain that has fallen for weeks, but they were safely housed at Mrs. McClure's.
A battle is reported near Martensburg, Virginia between the forces under Gen'l Patterson and the rebels under Gen. Johnson.  Gen. Patterson has lately crossed the Potomac at the head of a division of 18,000 troops.  His progress is disputed by Johnson with an equal number of men.  It is said that the Government troops were victorious, killing one thousand of the enemy.  This number is greatly exaggerated probably. Col. Norton's regiment now at Ripley, Jackson Co. Va., is reported to be surrounded by the enemy.  Gen. Cox, with 4,000 men from Ohio, is on the way to relieve him.  Henry McClure is now at home on furlough.  McClellan was advancing on Beverly when he left the army.  The young man who was killed on the trestle was only eighteen years old.  His name was J. Frederick Vornholt.

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