Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-11-05
ELKwArER, Va, October %, 1861.

| CONDITION OF the Roads lrreguarity OF the
Mails-Health Of the Regiment, &c.
| -
ELKwATER, Va, October 2S, 1861.
To he Editors Of ne Daily Press
We have had recently two great causes to
rejoice and be exceedingly glad. Mr.. Larz
Anderson arrived week ago, bringing with
him the contributions public and private, TO
our regiment. They consisted Of blankets,
shirts, drawers, stockings, gloves, etc, and
were much needed by all, and were hailed
with delight. Mr.. Anderson has ever exhib-
tied the warmest interest in the welfare of
| our regiment, and to him, more than to any
| other man, are we indebted for favors, for
which we shall ever feel grateful He never
comes without laying us under new obliga'
tons for bis many kindnesses and when he
| left the other evening the boys got glimpse
| of his unostentatious departure, and cheered
| till he had disappeared in the distance.
| And to all our friends who have contrib
| uted so much to our comfort do we wish to
return our sincere thanks. They have not
only clothed the naked, but have warmed
| the hearts of those who felt they were neg
lected, and have given them energy to en-
counter new dangers and hardships in the
| cause we all feel to be sacred. If words can
not express our gratitude, we hope our
actions in the future will.
The crowning glory of these ''latter days.
is yet to be told. To-day we received our
|
sun could not do otherwise than shine out
brightly on such momentous occasion. Not
a cloud was seen in the sky, and the air was
as balmy as if it came from cinnamon groves,
bringing with it murmurs of low fountains,
bursting forth in the midst of roses. | know
l can't do the subject justice, but we have
got them-our overcoats, blouses, pants and
caps, and tomorrow we shall get new shoes
"sound the loud tmbrel DER Egypts dark seas;
Crack your cheeks, Boreas-we'I II never Freeze"
To say that we feel comfortable would
hardly express it. Humanity is not devoid
of pride, and that weakness, to be candid,
may have manifested itself slightly on this
occasion. The boys dressed up," putting
on overcoats and all, and walked around in
q selt-complacent manner. Overcoats were
superfuous, but what's the use of having
new clothes unless you wear them2
In this connection | would wish to state
that it is mistaken idea that each soldier is
seven feet high and weighs tun; therefore
it is altogether unnecessary to make clothing
of that dimension. When got fully dressed
to-day l was quite invisible to my most in
innate friends. may say, however, with
, all modesty, though l lost my identity, l
maintained the "pomp and circumstance of
, the glorious occasion.
We are to be inspected tomorrow by Ma
:, jor Slemmer, 0. S. A, formerly commander
of Fort Pickens. II is supposed here that
: on his report of our condition, whether fa-
. vorable or otherwise, depends our future
- whether we are to remain here during the
y winter, or be removed to more active and
n pleasant field of operation. We think we
:. are quite presentable, and hope for the best.
3 We have great reason to rejoice, even if
we had no new clothes, for last evening we
If heard of the success of the Federal arms in
Y Eastern Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri.
9 This week will probably be the most event.
IT full in military movements of any since the
war commenced. Although we have been
10 made heartily sick and impatient with the
n little that has been done, and the slowness of
l. operations, yet hope revives again when we
e think perhaps decisive blow may soon be
?. struck, and that vile iniquity called Seces-
q sion be sent where it properly belongs, to
/. the shades below. We may not participate
of in the glorious achievement, yet will our best
l wishes go out for those who do.
s, Since my last Death has been among us
d and taken from our midst Charles Vanway,
20 of Company d, and Herman Volkers, of
d Company @. Both died in the hospital. The
e Chaplain of the Seventh Indiana Regiment
officiated at the funeral of the former and
Major Christopher read the burial service for
y the latter. The Major, as he barred his head
y and began the service, looked like true di-
u vine, with "peace on earth, good will to
4 man" besming from every feature.
- - Away up the road, nearly mile from
70 70 camp, on the right hand side, is hill devoid
Ol buTuD VI bIS0, WuOIO Wo Jury OuT uGhu
Many little mounds are there and hardly q
ri day passes that does not witness melan.
choly procession bearing a deceased COM
rade to his last resting place. All have had
le a soldiers honors paid them, but not 9
mothers or a sisters tear has ever moistened
the fresh sods that cover the pale faces be-
meath. But far over the hill, many miles
r away, hearts have bled and tears have fowr
If for those departed. Soon the snow will come
~ and cover these fresh graves, and the winter
Z wind will wall requiem over them but
h the bruised hearts will bleed and the tears
ID will continue to flow in distant homes thai
of will forever be desolate.
10 Trout fishing has commenced, and is thu
"a favorite amusement of all. The mountain
ia streams abound with them, and many in(
IN their way into our frying-pa They ar
10 beautiful to look at, and their taste to us i
n. as sweet as the mama was to the children o
Israel in the wilderness
~ The fence. rails, for miles up and down th,
10 valley, have all been used up for 6re-wood
Jee and we have had to cut the forest trees Il
NJ supply the deficiency. "0ur Hill" that rise
s so steep and majestic in front of the camp
" and that looked SO beautiful in its summe
~ - green, has suffered much from the wood
" mans ak, and its sides now look bare AM
> Jagged. The other day a large tree wa
feied near the top, and came tumbling down
end over end, into the road below. Soon al
=, its forest will be laid low, and then no sum
,;S mer will bloom for it.
~ The roads are daily getting worse. !
~ teamster just informed me it was almost i'm
cs possible to get over Laurel Hill with a
Al empty wagon. Other points between thi
~ place and Webster are equally bad, and
i. takes long time to accomplish the journe
IA between the two points.
oJ The mails are very irregular, and we q
"a not get so many papers as formerly. W
~ miss them more than any thing else.
n n The health continues good, and few pI
y, tients are now in the hospital. The weatht
rS is clear with cold, frosty nights, which
- favorable for the improvement of those wh
are unwell. Yours ia. O.
a nS JEFF Davis and England.
ho | Of all men in the runrlh Left Davis Ia III