Sketches (Reminiscences) of the Campaign of General Floyd

The main body of the enemy collec-
ted when some distance from the field
& were conducted by their Major
directly to Elk River, thence to Charles-
town. The escape of these men was
remarkable. Only their superior
knowledge of the country & our entire
ignorance of roads & delivered ^'them' from
our clutches. Perhaps however it was
better for us, that these whipped, demor-
alized wretches should return to their
friends & relate the tale of Southern
chivalry & give warning to others that
they may profit by their fate.

Col. Tyler the commander of t his portion
of the Northern army, has been an
itinerant tradesman for several years
past in the Western counties & few rodes
or localities are unknown to him.

Noted as he was for disregard of principle
& of honor, destitute of all the impulses & in-
stincts of the gentleman, he afforded a fit
leader for the vandal hoard crew, against
the State which hiterto has protected &
shielded him notwithstanding the outrage
perpetrated against her by his foul
hand. That he will meet with the
fate which every traitor merits can be
doubted by none. Victors in our first
battle, again, we are anxious to get signt
of the "blue-jackets," a name given the
Yankees on account of their peculiar uniform.

The advantage of success even in the
most insignificant skirmish is incalcu-
lable. Our men flushed with Success
will meet the enemy a second time with
redoubled energy & courage.

Our ^'The' victory gained & plenty of Yankees
prisoners to see every day, the excitement
which ruled supreme at first soon
disappeared, & the dull 'dreariness' uninteresting
routine of camp life ^'re asssumed its accustomed
sway interrupted only by occasional rumors.
From this time to the 9th September nothing
of interest transpired. On the 30th of Octob
August, I started to Leiwsburg to bear
special dispatches, -- there spending my
time very agreeably, I remained a day
or two & returned to the scene of war.

U. S. Col. Erastus Barnard Tyler (1822-1891), Colonel of the 7th Ohio, was not a "common tradesman" but a college graduate and successful businessman and fur merchant. He held various commands throughout the war, was given brevet rank of Major General, and later served as postmaster of Baltimore, Md.