This letter was written by Corp. Titus Andrew Euson (1837-1885) while serving in Co. C, 12th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The 12th was first organized as 3-months regiment in late April 1862 under Col. A. De Villiers but before the end of June, it was mustered in for three years under Col. John Lowe.

The regiment first saw action in the Battle of Scary Creek—little more than a skirmish really—in Western Virginia on July 17, 1861. It was up against an enemy that has already settled in for a fight beyond a ravine. The Twelfth fought for three hours and completely running out of ammunition, fell back to its camp at the mouth of the Pocotaligo. Official records stated the Union loss as 5 killed, 30 wounded and 4 missing—figures that vary widely from those reported by Corp. Euson who had the honor of carrying the colors of the 12th Ohio into the battle.

For a great summary of the battle, I recommend “A Scary Affair at Scary Creek,” by Dan Masters.

Titus was the son of James Montrose Euson (1811-1891) and Hannah Harden Gage (1817-1872) of Troy, New York.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp D’Villiers
4 miles above Red House on the Kanawha [River], Virginia
July 21st 1861

Dear Father,

Not waiting for an answer, I hasten to give you the report of the Battle of Camp Scary which I judged by this time has circulated freely through the papers.

On the morning of the 17, the 12th [Ohio Regiment] was ordered to proceed six miles up the river and take a battery of three guns and engage some 4 or 400 rebels under Gov. Wise. As we marched within 100 rods of the battery which was unseen, our cannoneers opened fire on their trenches and then their (rebel) battery began first by two charges of grape and after by round shot to clear the road. None of the rebel shots hit our ranks but the shots from our rifled cannon told every time somewhere and made the rebels scatter. After the 4th round, our artillery changed positions, and after 2 shots silenced their battery and with a shell blew up their caissons.

During the time the artillery were engaging the enemy, our men were crossing a field on the left of the road to gain their position. The shot from their cannon made merry music for our ears but did no harm. After taking up the ravine, we took our position on top of the hill and fired by company. Pretty soon the Jeffies began to run, and then our boys charged bayonets, driving them from their trenches and battery, and driving them across the bridge leaving the field entirely to us. Lucky for our boys they did not pursue them across the bridge for as soon as they (the rebels) were over, [they] fired a train and blew the bridge to atoms.

Just as we were all cheering over our victory, we espied a rebel reinforcement of some 1600 coming to their aid. Then our hearts come up in our throats for we knew we must lose the battle as we had no reserve to hold our position gained. After some firing and skirmishing with the rebel reinforcement & our boys finding their cartridges giving out, they beat a retreat for camp, feeling rather down-hearted over their loss of victory. My position during the battle was that of color guard. We were ordered not to fire unless attacked at close quarters although at times the bullets and round shot fell like hail around us.

During the retreat, I give out from the effects of heat and with some wounded lay an hour after all our forces had left. After that time, some of the wounded could get up and walk and those that could help support them till we got down the road did where we all were taken into a baggage wagon and brought into camp. The effects of the heat I have not got over yet, but I will be all right in two or three days. During the first part of the fight, I had a cannon shot come so near me as to have the wind of it knock me down. It frayed the binding to my fed hat—near enough to suit my taste.

Our defeat can be laid onto Gen. [Jacob] Cox as he stayed here to plan and kept three regiments here to guard him while [only] one regiment (or 7 companies; 3 companies absent) done all the fighting. At the time we need reinforcements, a messenger came to Gen. Cox stating the fact to him. After the firing ceased, he sent the 21st with some ammunition for us (5 rounds). Now at present, there are 6 regiments of infantry, two batteries, and one company of cavalry here at present (2 regiments come today). Gen. Cox has been advised to resign and is pronounced by both officers and men to be a good for nothing; cowardly, incompetent, and worse than worthless general. The 1st & 2nd Kentucky Regiments swear they will shoot Gen. Cox the first battle they get into providing he is brave enough to go with them into a fight. The 2nd Brigade is composed of the 1st and 2nd Kentucky, 6th, 8th, 11th & 21st Regiment O. S. V., Co. A—Cleveland Light Artillery, and Ironton Cavalry Battalion.

I don’t know whether this letter will reach you or not as we have to pay individuals money instead of having stamps to put on the letters where if we had stamps they would be sure to go. Martha Hull wrote me a letter which I answered giving her an account of the Battle at Scary Creek.

If it would not be unhandy, I wish you would send me a few stamps as we cannot get them here for either love or money. Money we don’t get anyway. Give my best respects to mother, the children, and all kind friends, and do not forget a large share for yourself.

Trusting in God and thanking Him for my past preservation, I await an answer from you hoping at the same time this will find you all in good health an fine sprits. I remain your son, — Titus A. Euson

Titus A. Euson
Care of Capt. Watts McMurchy, Co. C. 12th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, Ohio State Volunteers, District of the Kanawha, Western Virginia via Gallipolis, Ohio

The Battle of Scary lasted two hours and 40 minutes. Our loss was 9 killed, 10 taken prisoner, and 20 wounded. Col. D’Villiers & Norton of the 11th & 21st [Ohio] were taken prisoners among the rest. They were a mile off looking on the fight and when they saw our boys drive the rebels, at the time their reinforcements came up and thought we had gained the battle and come riding over to congratulate us when they fell into rebel hands as prisoners. They would not have advanced so boldly but the rebels came up under the stars and stripes and when they had their position, raised the “3 bars and 5 stars.” ¹

The rebel loss by their own account was 65 killed, 200 wounded, and 10 missing.

¹ It’s true that both Col. De Villiers and Col. Jesse S. Norton of the 21st Ohio were taken prisoner in this action but not quite the way Corp. Euson reported it. Norton was shot while personally leading his regiment, fell on the field, and was taken captive. De Villiers of the 11th Ohio, however, was taken prisoner after sundown along with other Union officers when they saw buildings burning at Scary Creek and assumed Union forces had won the engagement. They crossed the river in a skiff to join in the celebration only to discover that the revelers were Confederate forces commanded by Capt. George S. Patton & Col. Christopher Q. Tompkins. For their error, they had the pleasure of being a guest at Libby Prison.