Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-11-21

Extract from letter dated Camp Nsvin,
Hardin county, Kentucky,

Extract from q letter dated Camp Nevin,
Hardin county, Kentucky:
A week ago yesterday We arod our fFBt
shOt. The Chief Of Artillery took US out TO
are at target. The experiments were not
very satisfactory, as the powder we used was
not as good as it should have been. The
next day we went again, and took betlor
powder. Three OF our gunS fred twenty
shots, solid and shell, four Of which hit the
target. The distance was about threo.quar-
ters Of mile, the size Of target about twelve
feot square. Gen. McCOOk was present, and
seemed highly pleased with the result Of the
experiments. He said If VIC would do -
we'll as that in an engagement, he would
take care Of the rest Of the battle. The pro-
jeotiles used are the James and Hotchkiss'
shot and Bhell. It is said that they will do
] good execution at q three mile range. The
shell are arranged with percussion cylinder
inside Of them, 90 that whom they come IN
contact with anythingtO check their motion
suddenly, the cylinder iS thrown forward
against q screw in the forward end Of the
shell with force enough to explode The per-
cussion which communicates with powder
inside the shell. On Friday last a review
was had of all the Artillery in camp. There
are two six gun batteries in camp beside
ours. Gen. Rosseau has in his brigade two
I2-poundsr mountain howitzsrs, two riaed
Parrott guns, and two smooth, elk pair brass
pieces. Gen. Negley's Pennsylvania brigade
has q battery Of smooth pieces. All these
guns and their caissons with the exception
Of the howitzsrs) were on drill at once. Tho
guns and eaissons are drawn by six horses
each, making in the aggregate 1s2 for the
thirty-tWo carriages. When in single
column, allowing fourteen yards to q car
riage, we have train one-quarter of mile
in length. Mounted men for each battery
are as follows: Captain four Lieutenants,
Orderly, Quartermaster-sergea and six
sergeants. There are, including six drivers,
fifteen men TO each piece. The duties OF q
gunner are to keep his gun clean, and in
action to range and sight it. think, with
little practice that l can do some good
shooting, as the sights used are on the same
principle sc globe sights on any rife. You
know that used to be toleruble good shot
with rife, and if the guns wo have, always
shoot as we'll as they did the other day, viii
be satisfied. It is grand sight to see the
balls go bowling through the air. At an
elevation of three degrees should think
that they attain the height of two hundred
feet above the line Of sight from the gun
upon the object fred at. You can see them
perfectly Tlain. One shot that we fred
passed through three trees, and then went
hopping olong some ways on the ground.
One of the boys found it and brought it back
to camp. Some four or Eve others were also
found byus and brought back. .
It is getting quito sickly here. There is
scarcely day but one or more funeral pro-
cessions pass our quarters. The sickness is
said to be caused, in great degree, by using
water from a spring. The Surgeon Of the
4eth Ohio regiment, understand, obtained
from three pailsful of water one pint of oil;
enough, if administered in doses, to kill halt
lne T6Blmsuts
The sslh, sOth, Ssth and sch Indiana
regiments have great many sick in their
hospital. The 3Oth Indiana have lost quite
e number from their ranks. A procession
from there has just passed here. It seems
hard to see them borne past to the burial
place without g relative to mark the spot
where they are laid. One day last week
there were six funerals.
On Tuesday there was some prospect Of
our leaving here, but at present the prospects
are slim. We are all anxious for the time
to come when we are to meet Buckners
forces. The news from other p6rts OF the
State is very gratifying to US, and would be
more SO if We had hand in the victories
that are being achieved. Perhaps when
Gen. Buel takes command Of the Cumber-
land Division he will put US right through
to Nashville, and it is the wish Of nine tenths
Of the men in camp TO go.
The weather for week or ten days after
We arrived here was very disagreeable. We
had several severe frOsts, and very cold
rains. For the past ten days it has been
fine, with several thunder showers. It now
seems like spring.