Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-05-16
COMMUNICATE
CAMr DENSIsoN, HAMILTON Co., o.
May 7th, 1861

Messrs J. A. & f. EsTlLL:
Gents You may probably be surprised to re.
ceive letter dated as above and, particularly,
from the individual who sends it, as you are not,
| presume, cognizant of the fact that have vol.
unteered my humble service to defend the glor-
Gus "Stars and Stripes" Such, however, is the
case. After the fall of Sumter, and the issuing
of the Presidents proclamation calling for troops,
l thought that the exigencies of the case, and
the great interests involved made it the impera-
tive duty of every loyal American citizen who
could conveniently do so, to respond to the call {:
aid, consequently, my enlistment Having ten.
tered my services to our venerable Uncle Sam
our company proceeded April 22d, to Camp Tay.
lor, at Cleveland, for drilling purposes And
here. might observe that am member of the
Bucyrus Light Infantry f. w Butterfeld Cap.
tain with whom, probably you are acquainted ;
and If you are not, will introduce him to you as
a noble Captain, humane and generous, a perfect
gentleman. Camp Taylor, cleveland Fair
Grounds,) presented quite scene of activity and
military demonstrations at our arrival. Every
day the number of Volunteers was RAPIDLY aug
mented b. arrivals from almost every section Of
Northern Ohio, and, week ago, the number in
Camp Taylor, was fully 1000. April 9th our
company was mustered into the service of the
United States, and placed in the eth Regiment,
Company G..
Camp Taylor is well calculated for drilling pur-
poses. The ground is smooth and level and is
not, to any great extent, muddy in rainy weather
During our stay at Camp Taylor, the weather was
quite cold and disagreeaple,' and, at one time,
there were strong indications of Il regular snow
storm. In consequence of the inclement wealth
er, the soldiers suffered considerably from the
cold, they are lily provided for in the shape of
blankets, they being manufactured of the coarsest
kind of mater al, and poorely made at that and
as deserved by gentleman a few days ago, they
may ill the letter, but certainly not the spirit of
the law" The same NAV be said of the fare
The Commssary receives 80 cents per diem for
every man, or $500 per week for boarding the
soldiers ; and for this amount the very best boar
ding ought to be furnished, but the reverse is true
Niger cooks and nigger walters feed the soldiers
like many hogs not being ver particular about
keeping the vituals innocent of dirt and nigger
"wOol." verify believe that merit the clean
est prUvendr during the remainder of my days,
for, during my nine days sooum at Camp Taylor,
| came very near eating my peck of dirt" But,
in all candOr, this is not IA time, and not an occa-
sion for man to make the Inconvenience of
the many stepping stone to wealth and luxury.
This is the sentiment of nearly all. | leave the
subject for the present
On last Thursday, May ID, orders were receiv.
ed at Headquarters for the sth Regiment to pro.
cced to Camp Dennson. Accordingly, the nee.
essary arrangements were made, and the Regi-
ment left Camp Taylor at p. NJ, and Cleveland
Depot at 3 p. NJ. Arrived at Columbus about Q
Z. NJ. and staid till morning at Camp Jackson.--
Left Columbus at s A NJ. Friday morning. and
arrived here about p. NJ with nothing of unu-
sual Importance transpring, unless | ght except
the enthusiasm 50 heartily manifested by the peo-
pie along the entire route. Not Il village did we
pass but could see the Old Flag flung to the
breeze and crowds were collected at every sta.
tion to cheer us on in our mission, The ladies',
God bless thcm), were not backward in their
plaudits, which they demonstrated principally by
the waving of hanlkerchie.s, bonnets, &C.
Ibelieve if jeff Davis and the rest of the Exc
cutivc Department at Montgomery had been wit.
nesses of what we saw during our trip, they would
Immediately enter into treaty of peace with the
"powers that be-" at Washington.
Camp Dennson, our present quarters, is situa
ted on the Little Miami River, in Hamilton Co.,
about Is miles north west of Cincinnati, and i'm
mediatcly on the line ofC. O. & C. X. r., and
Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad The ground has
but recently been erected into a camp ground, and
having been sowcd in wheat asst fall, it is, during
the rainy weather, very muddy and dsagreeable.
But, Messrs Editors, | have extended this cpiSte
and must close for the present. | may write
soldiers life. write off of rough pine board,
unsystematcal photography. wish YOU would
familiar face again with gladness.
Very truly, Yours, &c.
CHARLES HAY.
Write often, CHARLEY. Remember us to the
Bucyrus Boys.