On June 6, 1862, the 55th Ohio and its brigade were at Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley with General John C. Fremont's forces preparing to move against the Confederate's under General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. During these movements, William Keesy of Company I relates an experience concerning the army's attitudes towards civilians:"To show the then policy of the government in conducting the war and how much it had already changed since we started out, I will give an incident here. When in Camp Lee at this place, we were compelled to guard and protect the property of an old planter by the name of McNeal. This old fellow had a very large brick mansion, numerous cabins, scores of slaves and very rich. Many a time I longed to be in the shelter, protected from the storm, while standing guard over, and protecting, his person and property. But our soldiers had the rough side of the weather, and all the while McNeal could sleep in his bed, eat at his table and work his slaves on his plantation unmolested, even protected, by the army. On Leaving Camp Lee, Major DeWolf, the adjutant, and I think Lieutenant Colonel Safford, had dismounted for a drink of the pure spring water and were just about to remount when word came to the colonel that some of the boys were in the garden and helping themselves. The colonel immediately ordered them under arrest. I imagine now, that I see Major DeWolf as he flings himself into his saddle, indignantly exclaiming:
'That old fellow is a rebel, and if I could have my way for it, I would turn the boys loose and tell them to help themselves.'
Colonel Lee exclaimed: 'Major, I don't want to hear any more of that kind of talk! We are under military regulations and you are to help maintain discipline.'
Now, on the 27th of May, we are passing the McNeal plantation again. For some reason, I do not know what, the boys are turned loose. Woe to the McNeal estate now! Not only is the garden pillaged, but cellar, larder, granary and garret disgorge and pay tribute to the boys in blue. It was an amusing sight to see that army stringing the contents of that rich plantation for ten miles along the route. Hogsheads of molasses and sugar; casks of preserves, caddies of tea, coffee, spices, with loads of ham, bacon, flour and garden produce melted away as by magic; while all along the moving line could everywhere be seen men with hams of meat or a string of bacon or a squawking chicken hanging on their guns. . . . Here is a little fellow with a great big pail two-thirds full of what to me looks like preserved cranberries, I always had a good appetite for such stuff and 'Here, pard, for any sake, divide.' To my delight, he said, 'Just help yourself.' I Did. I took a whole tinful out, just because he was so good natured about it. Everybody was good natured then. Why should they not be?"On June 8th was the battle of Cross Keyes. General Schenck's "Ohio Brigade" arrived upon the field at about 1:00 p.m. and was ordered to the extreme right flank of Fremont's line. The brigade was under enemy artillery fire and discovered a rebel force trying to turn the flank. A sharp skirmish ensued which halted the enemy. While General Schenck was preparing to counter-attack, he was ordered to withdraw. Schenck was disappointed as he felt that his men, although weary from hard marching, could have defeated the enemy in his front. The 55th Ohio suffered no losses in this engagement. After the battle, General Fremont withdrew his forces south along the valley, arriving in Middletown around June 20th.
On June 26, the "Army of Virginia" was created by combining the troops from Fremont's Mountain Department (1st Corps), General Nathaniel Banks' Dept. of the Shenandoah 2nd Corps), and General Irwin McDowall's Dept. of the Rappahannock (3rd Corp). The whole force would be commanded by General John Pope. When Fremont found out that Pope would be his superior, he resigned his command of the 1st Corps. On June 30th, 1862, General Franz Sigel took over command of the 1st Corps. General Nathaniel C. McClean became commander of the 2nd Brigade (Ohio Brigade) and General Schenck became commander of the 1st Division.
Sources:
Trials and Triumphs: A Record of the Fifty-Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry by Hartwell Orsborne, 1904, A.C. Clurg & Co., Chicago.
War, As Viewed From The Ranks by William Keesy, 1898.