found the camp in command of a
militia colonel, appointed for the purpose.

The men of the 110th Ohio were for the most part recruited from
the country, and were being fed in camp, in large part, by home-
food voluntarily furnished by their friends. They were a fine body
of young men, but none of the officers had seen military service.

I declined to assume command of the camp or regiment until clothing
and arms could be procured. Three or four days sufficed to obtain
these supplies, but only percussion-cap smooth-bore .69 calibre
muskets could be obtained. These guns were heavy, long, and
unwieldy, and much inferior to the Springfield .58 calibre rifle,
but I accepted them temporarily rather than be delayed in the drill
and discipline of the regiment, which was impossible without them.

On assuming command, I called the officers of the regiment together
and explained to them their duties as well as my own, and especially
informed each company commander that he would be required to qualify
himself to command his company, and that all times he would be held
responsible for its soldierly conduct. A school of officers was
established, and the whole camp soon wore a military aspect. The
work thus commenced in time transformed these raw volunteers into
officers and soldiers as good as ever fought in any war or country.( 1)

The environments of Camp Piqua were not favorable to discipline,
but on October 19, 1862, the regiment took cars and proceeded _via_
Columbus to Zanesville, thence by water to Marietta, and from the
latter place on foot to Parkersburg, West Virginia, where it first
occupied and camped in what was called the enemy's country. An
early but severe snow-storm came during the first night of our
encampment, and suggested the hardship and suffering which were
not to cease until the final victory at Appomattox. Drill and
discipline went on satisfactorily. New troops will bravely stand
to their work in battle if they can be manoeuvred successfully,
and also know how to use their arms. General J. D. Cox, in command
of the District of West Virginia, with his uniform courtesy welcomed
me by telegraph to my new field of operations. In a few days I
was ordered to Clarksburg and to a section familiar to me when
serving under McClellan.

At Parkersburg I first me the 122d Ohio Infantry, commanded by Col.
Wm. H. Ball. He was my junior in date of muster eight days and,
consequently, in more than two years o