Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-11-05

In the Christian Banner, small MONTH
y published BY the American Tract Society
we aud the following interesting sketch
which will repay reading:
WASHINGTON, Oct l6.
DEAR EDIToR;--The field for distributing
religious reading in the army is full Of en-
coura cement Your books are welcomed
every Ehers. They are so up 10 the times
and suited 10 the work; the only criticism
heard Of them is. "You do not give US
enough Of them, owe want more Of the
Hymn Book, the Roll Call, Crom wells BIZ
bic, Sc. The ehaplains all rejoice that
you intend publishing for them an army
paper. May send you for its columns
the sketeh Of a single
VISIT TO THE oANP,
10 company with q member Of the Young
Mems Christisn Association. With our
wagon filed with books, tracts, testaments,
Sc, and few nice little things for the
poor sick ones in hospitals, We started for
GeorgstoWp and the Chain Bridge. Long
lines Of army wagons crowded the road, for
an advance had just been ordered in the
direction Of Falls Church. At the bridge
our passes we're seruunizsd, and miDgling
with infantry, horsemen and baggage Wag
ons, We scrambled our way up the hill on
the LeEinsVille road. The constant pass
ing Of heavy teams had made the travelling
aWful-an alienation Of deep ruts aud
hummoeks. Turning Of at the first militia
~ road, and still in company with tbe
troublesome travellers, we reached Fort
Elhen Allen, beautiful hilltop, from which
the forest has been cut away, and hlled now
With cannon. Easy access Was given, for
cur mission vas one Of love. ! must not
give you any description. The tOiling SOL
diers paused and leaned upon their spades
as we approached and talked With them,
and our books and tracts we're most &C.
eepsable.
We found no Christian men in the fort
Jut The Ofieer Of the dsy-an intelligent
lawyer, who had enlisted as lieutenant
said be vas glad TO see Us distributing such
reading. sMake these things pointed"
said be. "Tell as we must repent; don't
20 round shout. The great difficulty with
your preachers is, you 60 to proving it.
We all know i" said he, "WilhOut proof
and his large blue eye trembled with a tear
as he spoke. We took MIN By the hand,
and kindly urged him, il he knew these
things, 70 do them. He thanksd,us, and We
turned away with a silett prayer for our
friend, and feeling how the rough soldiers
life made men frank and honest with their
Vending our way down the deep gully
beyond the fort, We passed up and around
Fort Marcy, and approached a regimental
hospital. Here the sick boys Of the Yer
mont ID gratefully took both our tracts and
iuvalid comforts. / said 10 one, ndo you
want to 20 home p "Yes," said be, but
not till We conquer these rebels. On, said
he, show good this gingerbread is. las
just such as ny mother used to make
Men from the camps in the wooded region
on our right came up and begged for books.
SLOW glad an" said one, as he pressed |
q testament upon his bosom between both
hands, Hto get this book u his whole coun-
tenance beaming With intelliRence and
gFatIlude.
A half mile on we came upon the Penn
syivania 1st cavalry; their beautiful horses
pickeled in a line in a clover lot, and the
fne looking men in groups all through the
fed We stopped and handed q tract to
q soldier By the roadside BE thanked us,
ard fourishing it over his head, cried,
81 Hurrahl Company K, and twenty or
more came rushing up. The supply Of
these brought ten times the number, and il
FIVE minutes they were twenty deep on each
side Of our wagon, shouting Give me
one " Give me one, " " Give me q tAsta-
nent, and q perfect palissds Of extended
arms and grasping hands eHVironed as.
Ee urgei them 70 stand back; for it
seemed as II both wagon and horse would
break down under their weight. They did
90 instantly, but the clamor only rose from
a wider circle, "Giye me book, " Give
nc book r One boy held up a pack Of
cards, spread in his hands: Give me
Testament" said he " and I'll throw away
this pack Of cards now," making the mo-
tioD. ats a bargain IS the Testament,
too, was held up; do il, and down went
the cards into the mud under our horses
feet. A shout arose as he took the Testa-
ment So we worked, handing 10 these
greedy, hungering men as fast as both Of
rs could do-myself upon the wagon and
ny companion By the side Of it-until our
stock was exhausted. I threw up my
arms, shouting, All gone" when the tem-
pest ceased at once, and three cheers -
spontaneous they Were-rang upon the
air. II was the most impressive thank
YOU that ever received for any kind Of
fee. ] sank back in the seat, quite eT-
hausted with the excitement Il had been
like the assault Of starving men, as if q
pask Of hungry wolves Eom the forest had
broken upon Us.