Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-09-14
rFfom our hsgalar Correspondent
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/
IA thlther, as our party held one OF those
documents Of patriotism known as land war
rants. granted to our iOre-tathers for services
In the battles Of our oounsry-and our pres
emit object was 70 select patSo6e laad and en-
10y q small trip In the baelIWoOds.
For the sum OF one dollar plat Of "town
Il n. Range, No. 6 West MOntcalm county
was o5tAinsd-a map that afterwards proved
to rs Of ten times the value Of It's cost
Armed with the map and favOrite rifle, we
travelled due north, and stopped for the night
upon the confines Of civilization.
On the morrow, after failing to obtain a |
guide, other than a trusty pOcket-cOmpasR,
we plunged into the forests, and aoon real
ized the grandeur Of the American wilds-
We we're now in the great pine region whence
are drawn the immense piles Of lumber which
are to be found in the Cleveland yards and
AZ We pn1ed upon the towering giants We
/ could but wonder and doubt II the supply
would ever be exhausted. These WOODS
abound with the usual variety Of game,
among which, as we squatted BY our camp
/ ere that night, We had the ediheanon OF re
membering were wolves, bears, &c. AS iate
would have II, (for we neither OF Us were
hunters, we stumbled upon porcupine-
which q son Of Erin once described as "the
6rst bird be ever SHOT In Amesiky." Deter
mined 70 bs ''equal TO the emergency, your
correspcnden shot the ''bird, and came from
the conlict covered with glory and quills-
particularly the latter.
After leaving the last evidences OF civiliEa-
tion, we followed an old Indian trail, run
ning north-easlerly until just at dark, We
were startled by the appearance OF regular
Siate road, sad deserted log cabin in liz
tie opening on the banks Of q small stream
Il was evident that people had been there
within q year ct the sarthest but none were
to be seen now. All was still and quiet as
an ancient ruin. The partly finished road
the deserted hut-lhe tasty bridge that
spanned the creek, were in striking contrast
with the dark forests around. Save the chirp'
ing of some bird, or the chatterlng OF
busy squirrel and the murmuring stream at
our feet, all was still as the desert, and a
weird-like nature seemed 70 pervade the spot.
Persecuting musquitos and the demands oil
hungry stomachs broke the spell Of our rev
cries and forced rs to prepare an encamp-
ment for the night. The humble cabin was
most opportune-it vas a step towards those
comforts Of civilization which we had left
| behind rs that we now did not neglect to i'm
\ prove. A cracking FIRE soon dispelled the
chills of night and the gloom Of the place
and bringing 70 bear upon the matter th'
3 combined culinary accomplishments of th'
0 party, we soon were seated at stump sup
n ping upon fried pork, bread, and some deli
cious blackberries that grew in obliging prox
u unity. Although accustomed to the maEl
P little luzuries of home, we found no difficult!
3 in worrying down our evening repast. AT
!. ter slipping spaIingly of the rather swamp.
appearing waters Of the creek, We closed III
rude door and bar. loaded the solitary windo7
IS preparatory to going to rest. Even this pre-
= caution did not prevent the night air fror
IA diminishing our bodily supply OF caloric, an
necessitated q frequent Teplenishing Of th
fire. A few boards formed our bed, whic
u we nearly spoiled by denting and bruisin
b with our bones.
Having supped on pork, bread and black
berries, we varied ou- morning meal wit
, blackberries, bread and pork. Hoping
% find better water soon, we unwittingly omitte
70 70 drink at the stream in the morning. Bio
ID ling adieu to this romantic spot, We travele
westward one mile 10 the terminus Of th
: road, and then had 70 rely on the sectio
le lines and compass. The trees were blaze
be oesrly sixteen years ago. Some were mos
IA covered, and on others the mark was nearl
obliterated By the growth OF the treee, Will
=" many were blown over. It was with e.
n RENE difficulty that we found our way. In
TO mense Wlnd-faIls and an occasional swan
n, were impediments that caused no little yexi
!, lion and trouble to pass around without loI
ing the section lines.
- From early dawn TIL It was so dark thi
We coulo not consult the compass, we trsmI
q, ed steadily, and when we went into cam
under the spreading branches Of a beech, v
- oad made between seven and eight mili
le, that day That was q slow coach for th
ly fast age.
er Although there were no protecting wal
:, ,bout rs that night, the cheerful FIRE dissipi
= ted the gloom, snd nsught prevented swe
ne repose on the soft pine leaves, excepting we
1t riness and thirst We found no water III
se day st for drinking, and we were obliged
RI ancsmp, after tWenty-fours sbstineni
from drink.
As The next morning at early dawn we q
er forth, hoping to find at no great distance
1n .reek Is laid down On our map. Our thir
lad now become alarming. Slowly draggin
0ur weary limbs along, we stopped in aboV
10 lalf an hour 70 rest, when suddenly our eai
H. caught an indistinet sound in the distance
Ii Attentive listening brought to Us the joyfl
sa sound of axes telling trees.
Never was saeetsr music Our link
II were weary no longer. A short distanc
he brought rs to q ravine, through which riI
OF pied a little stream of pure, cool, sprin
N water. As we slipped again and again Il
inspiring nectar, it needed no temperant
lecture or poet impassioned ode to convinC
n- US that water Is man's best drink An hui
il ired rods further, We reached an openin
i, where stalwart arms were clearing q spot f
the county buildings Of Montcalm.
= The region through which We passed
n wooded With pine, inierspered with oak, elm
81 beech, maple and othe sarieties The land
rolling, end has less "cat sWamps" an
sWaiIs than most Of the land south Of It.
lS Although pine land Is not considered th
be best for farming purposes, the soil here seen
n 70 have az average fertility, and is easil
!. worked. In clearing their lands, many
the settlers convert the timber into shingle
+ for which ready market is found via the I
th B n. Railway, twenty-five miles south, {
Ii dispose Of them or the ground at twelve shi
- lingS per thousand. EE fA,E
70 auch pleased with the country and on
backwood's experience, We hastened back t
e the "White settlements, p anxious to obtai
the latest war news. We relished the new
none the worse when we read ef the captur
Is of the Cape Hatteras forts. P. B.
I
g An old fellow, recruiting for the Eight
Regiment some Whsre in Grant county, KY