Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1861-05-11
Camp Correspondence.
CAMP PUTNAM,
b, b.

-.s marietta, Onlo, Nay -.
On the 23d Of April, the encampment Of the
Regiment Of Ohio Volunteer Artillery was pitch.
ed on the county Fair Grounds, one mile north
Of the Ohio river 10 the valley, near the East
'eru bank Of the Muskingum, and nearly sur
rounded by bluffs which command the encamp-
campment. We we're rushed through from
Cleveland without stopping in Columbus to
equip and uniform the recruits, or furnish the
battery with small guns Of any description or
provide suitable corps Of infantry for support
For ten days we have been at the mercy and
in the power Of any thirty desperate rebels who
might have chosen to spike our guns and break
up our camp Our situation would have caused
complaint, had not the men had entire conf
dence in the Judgment and competency of Col.
Barnett We were naturally led to ask, why
the forced marches in such bot haste to this
quarter, II there was no immediate danger an
ticipated, and if the danger was pressing why
we we're sent on in such an inefficient aud de-
fenseless condition. II is said that we are soon
to be put in condition for service, and Lieut..
Col Sturges left for that purpose as soon as
MariettaDs are sober, old-fasbioned, undemon-
strative sort Of people such as you would
naturally expect to fnd 10 the oldest village 10
the state, settled by New England stock. They
are ~quietly-kind and courteous, and seem to
be glad Of our presence. The sick soldiers are
taken care Of at the hotels, or provided for in
camp with everything their condition requires.
The ladies Of the village bring for the sick in
camp such delicacies as our surgeon and ply
sician recommends. We have very little sick
ness-no more than 3 to cases at time in
the whole camp, the disease is principally de-
rsngement Of the stomach, caused by change
Of water and diet. Men not accustomed to
labor. and airy bedrooms. find in camp-life
cure for poor appetite, and are liable to over
load their stomachs with hearty food, which
leads to complaint on the part of the over-task.
ed organs. Our living is good soldiers fare, the
water good, coffee passable, butter very white,
potatoes poor, bread, beans and meat 6rst-rate.
AT first the meals were taken at rough and
tumble ; but each company now has its table
OF unplaned boards, its own tin dishes, knives
done on contract for the battery When the
bugle blows for meals, each company forms and
marches to its table, and the commissary of the
company then visits the shades in the kitchen
and receives the allowance which is usually |
abundant, and always coarse. Time passes |
rapidly away with me- There is no leisure |
hours 10 which one can get homesick, or build |
air castles. From sunrise to sunset there is
something for the soldier to do The roll is
called at reVielle the stars aud stripes elevated
over the camp, aud a cannon made TO growl
breakfast comes at |; company drill at 8 a. N.
guard mounting at 10 a. N. dinner at l25 D.
m. Battery drill 3 p m. when we go through
the motions OF moving down the ranks of the
rebels. Dress parade at p. m. when we are
thronged with visitors from town, who commence
coming on the ground at 3 p. m. supper at p.
NJ retreat and roll call at at sundown tattoo |
at p N. when the roll is called again. Be. |
SIDES tins from each company are detailed
each DAY Tor guard duty, which is a term of
"a hours hours on and 4 off duty. Then the
quarters must be kept in order, the guns. sabres
and uniforms kept bright and clean. which
leaves as, you see, little time for Speculation
and not great amount for correspondence. Tn
addition to the above, when the weather is good
each company has daily two extra drills. The
weather was warm when we arrived here and
was not uncomfortable for two or three days
otter. Since then we have had cold nights and
sometimes comfortable overcoat days. Last
night 1t showed slightly raine heavily, and Js
still cold-disagreeable drizzle would caution
our volunteers If they are going into camp to
take along bed-qut or buffalo robe, and not
depend on Samuel for anything except one
light and altogether insufficient blanket Our
company have been made comfortable by the
extra allowance furnished by the human heart
81 quartermaster and eOmmissary Of the bat.
terry. know very little Of what occurs out !
side Of camp. Soldiers are allowed to leave the
ground only In cases Of necessity, and when pa
pers come IN had rather spend my little lei
'nre IN writing home, than 10 reading news two
lays old. The sensation tslegrams are printed
'Aily 10 MArstta on q one column sheet, 8 or
70 inches 10 length and sold 10 camp for five
enas. ! have been about the village some.
mo seen some Of the sights. The cemetery
ho~s a rehnement among the villagers, for they
lase made this on the most pleasant spot in
ne town II Is situated on a slight elevation,
'aa Z elseslAE-mSand. (sAid to be the WORK Of !
n loa'AAl 'iaas some thirty feet. {. perfect
ym~e'Ey' near the center Of the enclosure.
'his mound Is shaded on thstop and sides with
rees TO IL inches IN diameter and has seal. 9
2 The su@@it which 10 easily reached BY over {
2 stone stspss plAssdjD tho north sids. No d
older Eill tiggk iera better graves II he is
scrieesd IN shis great contest Tor the maiute. 7
Anss " he frssst PrOudest, best government e