108

"We sent them howling back to their holes"

Erastus F. Hunt.

Letters of an Indiana soldier in what soon became West Virginia, early in the war.

Various places, September to December 1861
5 Autograph Letters Signed to friend Enos Hadley of Plainfield, IN. 5 letters ranging from 2 to 6 pages, various sizes, two of them on patriotic stationery; generally minor wear. With envelopes (some of them patriotic covers), none stamped, most franked.

Erastus Frederick Hunt (1830-1880) was a farm hand in Hendricks County, IN before the war. With the 7th Indiana infantry, he reached the rank of sergeant.  These letters were written from what is now West Virginia in the early months of the war. He shows a wry sense of humor at points.

On 20 September from Beverly, WV, Hunt alludes to an early fight: "I suppose you have the news of the Cheat Mountain skirmish. The Rebbles are still retreating. They are as wild as ever."

On 25 September from Camp Elk Heart, WV, "the Rebbles force is reported at 20,000 at the highest. I think we have them surrounded, or nearly so."

On 6 October from Camp Elk Water, WV, three days after participating in the Battle of Greenbrier River: "The 9th & 7th soon run them in to their holes, then the 9th crossed the river. . . . We were ordered to lay down behind the fence, where we lay for some time. . . . They undertook to flank us, but the old colonel is never asleep in time of battle. . . . We sent them howling back to their holes. . . . They gave us a warm reception, fed us heavy on grape, bombs & canister. Their bombs I did not fear much, but I did not like their grapes. I would prefer to gather my own."

The 28 October letter reports on nearby rebels "scouting through the country . . . stealing & destroying everything that they come to." 

Finally, on 12 December from Camp Gavin at Big Capacon, WV, he reports that "it is expected here by the citizens that General Jackson is expecting to meet us here, though I think it very unlikely." He reported that a scouting expedition was accompanied by "our little bulldog as the advance guard. Our little dog's name is four pound cannon & was well fed, ready to go to biting at any time." 

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