Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-23
From The Porty-Pirst,

OANr WtoELrTyE, Kyy Dec. II.
EDs. LHADER' Ny last came TO an abrupt
termination, and the duty which then called
Us away being discharged, I viii resum my
pencil, though perhaps not the thread Of my
narrative. We wsro out for twsnty-four
hours and went about three miles, and then
some four dstachments were sent out from
the main body, of which II was my fortune
TO have charge Of one, which would be q fair
sample of all. We were posted about one
fourth Of q mile from the main body of the
pickets. The night was splendid, but as we
were allowed no FIRE, decidedly cool. A pen
Of rails was soon constructed and shingled.
chinked and carpetsd with oornItalks from
aneighboring field, and in IL, with our mill
tsry equipments for furniture, and some
hard bread and raw bacon for provisions, we
commenced housekeeping Here, relieving
our ssntinels posted some three hundred
yards from the post, sitting in u parlor
Just described, and pacing the round TO keep
warm, We passed the night, being far better
provided for than the mass Of our volunteers.
Our lot was comparatively a happy one
You who at home spent the evening by com
Portable fires, had good suppers and warm
beds, how do you like the picture2 Think
oft, whom inclined to grumble becaute the
war stagnRtes your business and makes your
taxes heavy: And you who think the bloody
field alone witnesses heroism, think of the
aching limbs and blistered feet of the volun-
teer who plods his weary way fifteen or
twenty miles per day on the fare just men
toned his necessary luggege, weighing
about fifty pounds, and his bed at night the
frosty ground. OF all this and more, We do
not complain. The cause demands it; and
aver greater sacrifices, if necessary, will be
made by our brave boys without a murmur.
But morning zane at last, We built a fire,
and 6 canteen of milk drawn, nc doubt) was
found, over and above the inventory of our
lsrder, the night before; some cOffee was OBJ
tanned from the main post, and we break
tasted, after which both crackers and bacon
were SHORTCUT the boys were equal to the
emergency A squirrel ard another small
quadruped found their way into our mess
kettlej our post was near q mill, and we
begged q cup of meal from each Of the seve-
raj who passed home from the mill with
bags full Of il upon the backs of Bcraggy
horses. 0fthe meal VIC made pancakes, and
pulled some turnips and dined s~umptuously,
In due time we were relieved and returned
to camp with no great dislike to picket duty.
The country this side of New Haven is
very rough, wild, and but thinly populated.
The inhabitants seem loyal, and I believe
most of them srs truly SO. The water is
clear as crystal small game abounds in the
woods, and would contribute much to our
provisions if we we're only allowed to shoot
it. I have seen but one school house since
we left somerviIle, and hat rather primi-
tive in appearance. We have some seven
or eight cases Of measles In our regiment,
but I believe not of a very malignant type.
Two brigades are now encamped here, but
we expect to move onward again sOOn.-
Some ssy we are to DO paid while here we
shall believe it Ehen We got the money in
our hands. Yours, T.