Diary of James W. Carlin

 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (3 months service.)

Below is the diary of James W. Carlin of Mercer County, Ohio who joined the 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (3 months service) in April 1861.  According to Whitelaw Reid”s “Ohio in the War,” two companies of this Regiment came from Fairfield County, two from Madison County, and one each from Perry, Hocking, Morgan, Mercer, Licking, and Belmont Counties .  Private Carlin later enlisted in the 71st OVI and was ultimately promoted to Major.  He was captured by the Confederates in Alabama in October 1864 and spent time at Andersonville .  Major Carlin survived the war but died on the Steamship Sultana on April 27, 1865.

Fort Recovery , Ohio

April 29th, 1861

Sunday

Volunteered with Capt. Stone and went as far as Union City , Ind. Apr. 29th.  Went by railroad from Union to Columbus to Camp Jackson .  Remained here until May the 10th 1861 when we left for Lancaster .  We went by railroad arriving at Zanesville about ? AM.  Remained until about 10 AM when we changed cars and proceeded to Lancaster in company with a company of volunteers from Steubenville who arrived while we were waiting. 

Arrived at Lancaster about 2 PM and marched throught the city to the encampment which is the county fair grounds.  This is called Camp Anderson .  We were here formed into a regiment and examined on the 12th of May.  Had regimental election on 13th of May which resulted in the choice of John M Connell, Lieut. Col ; Frank Pond, Major; Clement Steel, Major.  Standing order of camp is revillie at six, horse mounting at 9 AM , dress parade at 4 PM , retreat at ? PM.  Interim occupied by company drill.  

May 20 - drew camp utensils and provisions for cooking.  Have now _____ off and do our own cooking.

May 25 – had a picnic in camp today by citizens of Pleasant Township .  Rather a grand affair. 

Thursday June the 1st – had another picnic today.  The weather is bad and somewhat interferes with the picnic.

June the 8th – received new muskets and cartridge boxes & ____ today. 

Friday June 14, 1861 – left Camp Anderson about 11 AM and arrived at Camp Goddard near Zanesville about 4 PM .

Sunday June 16th – left Camp Goddard for Bellair at about 5 AM and arrived at Bellair at 12 and crossed to Benwood Va . . At half past one PM .  Sherrod Clemmens, John Carlisle, ___ welcomed us to the shores and soil of Va.

June 19th – left Benwood at 10 AM on board Com. Rauntz fleet and arrived at Marietta about dark

June 20th – left Marietta at 5 PM and arrived at Parkersburg Va. About 8 o’clock .  We remained here until the 25th when we left by railroad for Petroleum in Richie County, Va.  Four companies of our Regiment here.  We remained under arms until morning.

June 26th – we marched from here on foot to Hughes River at which place we pitched our tents for the night having marched about six miles.  

June 27th – we marched 3 miles today and again camped on Hughes River .  This camp we called Camp Connell .  We _____ in an orchard and the owner is a secessionist by the name of Jackson . Here we remained for two days during which time ____ was several times alarmed by the pickets being fired upon.  While out on a scouting party on the 28th, I captured a secessionist flag.

June 29th – Left Camp Connell marched 15 miles and camped at Webb Mills.  This part of the country in possession of the Union Home Guards so we found the Stars and Stripes floating on the breeze.  We remained here over Sunday and on Monday the 1st of July we marched 12 miles and camped at the farm of Mr. Wagner. 

Tuesday July 2nd – We marched about 15 miles to the Glenville Road where we pitched our tents, made dinner and rested until night when Co. I and Lieut. Col. Pond and some other men started for Glenville where the rebels were reported to be about _____.  It was near midnight when we started for Glenville over a mountainous road.  Fretfully strange to all except a few of the natives who had been driven from their homes and were now returning with us.  We pushed bravely on and arrived at Glenville about daylight without the transpiration of anything worth note except the capture of a couple of secessionists.  We found the nests but the birds had flown.  The cowardly rebels though occupying a strong position had given it up to us without a struggle.  We took posession of the Courthouse in the morning of the ____ ____ and before the sundowned upon us I had with my own hands nailed the Stars and Stripes upon the cupola of the Courthouse.

The remaining three companies came in early on the third having marched so as to suport us in case of an attack.

July 4th – The glorious 4th seems as bright as if no civil strife distracted the country.  Gilmer is the name of this county.   Glenville is ____ miles from the last camp.  We paraded at four PM after which we listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence and speeches from Dr. Harris, Col. Pond, Capt. Stone, and others.  Ladies and some of the soldiers then sang the Star Spangled Banner with much spirit.  So passed the fourth of July in 1861 in a place a few days ago fully in the possession of the acknowledged foes of our free intentions.

Saturday July 6th – One of our picket posts was fired at today.  No one hurt however.

Sunday the 7th 1861 – This morning our picket posts on the Charleston road was attached by the enemy and driven in without loss to us.  The enemy appeared in force on the Charleston Road and flanked to the left so as to completely surround us on the approachable side of our position.  They thus continued only moving small detachments for the purpose of drawing us from our position.  They also kept up a firing all day and at night under cover of a heavy fog they attempted to force our line of  pickets but were repulsed at every point.

Monday July the 8th, 1861 – The rebel forces have withdrawn their ____ with a reported loss of about 30 men.

Tuesday July the 9th – Reinforcements from the 18th OVI came to our relief.

10th – We left this place and marched 11 miles to Staunton Pike. 

July 11th – Marched to Weston Lewis Co. Virginia west fork of the Monongahela.  Distance from last camp 12 miles.

July 12th – We marched to Buckhannon the County seat of Upshur Co.

Sunday July 15th 1861 – Started with four men of our company with Capt. ?

At this point, the writing is badly faded for about a page and not legible

Friday (August) 3 – marched 16 miles to camp at Jacksonville

Aug 4 – marched to Weston 15 miles.  Rested until noon next day

The last four lines of the diary are not legible.  According to Whitelaw Reid, the 17th OVI, having overserved its 3 month enlistment by several days, started for home on August 3, 1861arriving in Zanesville on August 13, 1861

Copy of diary provided by Gary Price (James Carlin family member)

Transcribed by Martin Stewart  Troy, Ohio  2005

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