Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-12-18
[Ccnespondence Ohio Btztesman.l
FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA..
HurroraslLLr, w, Dec. 8, ls6l.


HurroxsvILLE, Va, Dec. 3, 1861.
Enron Ono srATEsMAN:s-Since my last the
25th has reached this mud-bedAbbled and ''blue-
devil" inspiring village-ii you call scheol-
house; styled by the sovereigns Of the VALLEY
F"The Seminary" one old, dilapldated tavern
stand, one grocery that was, but is, alas! no
more, three dwelling houses, one blacksmith
shop, and stable, a yillige--And have settled
down for stay, Of how long duration the most
knowing among us is unable to conjecture.
At present, we are In tents, or rather what
once were tents; and IL mistake not the tenn
per Of the regiment, in tents we will remain, no
matter how much suffering may be occasioned,
rather than again build winter quarters. The
foundation for quarters for one regiment had
been laid by the 14th Indiana, during the two
months Of their stay in this place, but their
completion was left 10 the 25th, while they
went on to Phillip, snug little village, within
twelve miles Of the railroad, and set up on
their own account, without labor Of building or
rent paying. We have one advantage, how
ever, over the summit, and that is the eli.
mate, Down here in the valley, the winters,
as general thing, are open, seldom more
than from one-and-a-half to two feet of snow
falling, and that remaining not longer than
from one to two months; while on the summit,
the snow lies from three to four feet, and con-
tinues from three to four months without a
"thaw," and accompanied by cold eastern
winds At the present writing, the valley is
clear of snow, and the sun shines forth as bright
and beautiful and warm as on May day
in old Ohio. How long this "smile Of heaven"
will linger with US, is as uncertain as betting on
a thoroughbred at a jockey quarter race, and the
boys are making the most Of it.
Much dissatisfaction is felt here in conse-
quence OF an order positively prohibiting the
Recommendation of furloughs, to either sicko
we'll, by our officers. But few Of our regiment
have, as yet, visited their homes since entering
the service, and upon those having families at
home with whom they fondly anticipated spend
ing the coming holidays, this blockade falls most
heavily. The propriety and wisdom Of this
prohibition, inasmuch as we have to winter here,
is questionable, and most undoubtedly adds ma
terially to the dissatisfaction every day mani
tested toward these high in command in this
division of the great "Anaconda." % -
Four companies of the Thirty-aecond Ohio.
passed here on Friday last, on their way to Bev.i
erly, where they are assigned winter quarters.
This leaves but one regiment on the summit,
the Ninth Indiana. M ..s,.r. NJ, q
Yesterday five deserters from the rebel camp
Allegheny, arrived under a guard from the
Ninth Indiana. They deserted three days since,
and gave themselves, up to our pickets. Their
report of the condition of the rebel forces, four
thousand in number, at that camp, is anything
but hattering to the Confederate cause. They
state that the troops are suffering terribly from
want of provisions and clothing, and that the
cold is intense The Georgia regiment had
been compelled to return to their native State,
being unable to winter in that latitude; and that
hundreds of Virginians and Tennesseeaus were
They express great surprise at the
Of our troops and wonder how they
come to "know SO much" stating that they
were not allowed to hear anything but lies coin
ed by their officers, and in all other respects
we're treated more like dumb beasts than human |
beings. When saw them, they were running !
at large through the camp, and a happier look
ing set of fellows, Notwithstanding their rags,
1t has seldom been my lot to witness. They
repors ten pieces of ordnance in possession Of
the forces, and also. that, in their opinion, 1t
would be an easy matter to make them ''sched-
addle" from their present position. Much
sickness prevails in their camp. To-day they
are sent on to their homes, with an escort; all
Of them living near Grafton. -
The health of our regiment, considering the
exposure we have undergone, Is good, and re-
ceives the credit Of being the finest and hard.
lest regiment in the service
.-,.-. r,slJ,s In 4 Yours, etc,
dJ .ldi WRF. B.