Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1861-10-04
CAMP CHASE, September 23d, 1861.

Editor Telegraph:-1 now sit down to
fulfil promise made previous to leav
ing Pomeroy, of letting you know about
the wanderings and doings of the 31st
Ohio Reg, and giving such information
to the citizens of ''Salt and Cinders,"
with regard to the movements of other
Ohio troops, as have come under my OBJ
servation since my arrival here.
Camp Chase, situated four miles west
of Columbus, on the south side Of the
old National Pike, on beautiful rolling
piece of ground, containing 160 acres,
drained from west to cast by a ravine
running the entire length of it, is under
the immediate control of Gen. Hill.
In the south east corner of the camp is
the prison for the Secesh that are brought
here from Va, of which stock we have
at this date 1870, and 50 more on their
way to eointer quarters.
There are parts of four regiments of
Infantry here, and one of Cavalry
None of the regiments are full, except
the 31st Infantry and Cavalry. En-
listing has become very difficult mat
ter; companies come in slow, and many
that come are composed of boys that
will hardly stand the fatigues of win
ter campaign. I see by the dispatches
of to- day, that Iowa has commenced
drafting; Ohio will be the next to begin,
unless volunteering goes on more rap
idly than it has for the last few weeks;
then Meigs County will feel the drain
that has gone to fill Virginia Regiments.
[ see by the late acts of Congress that
the pay and rations Of the soldiers are
increased to such an extent, that a man,
by consuming only the old ration, can
save sixteen dollars per month, besides
the bounty.
I wish to say few words about two
men that have been about as badly
abused by the press and people of Ohio,
as men could be. The press has done
more to prevent volunteering in Ohio,
by the abuse of officers, and those that
have the control of State and National
affairs, than thousand Vallandighams
could do.
AS soon as the call was made for
volunteers, and before Gov. Dennison
had time to perfecta single arrangement
or contract for subsisting and clothing
troops, Gen. Press undertook to COM
mand, and found fault with every
one that did not obey. But our pat
riotic Governor paid no attention to
these would-be commanders, and la
bored necessarily for the honor ana
credit of his country. He has brought
order, and system, and economy into
every department, and no troops 60 to
the field better or cheaper equipped
than the Buckley Boys. As san Illustration
will give the clothes each private
received in the 31st Regiment.
Two pairs socks, one pair shoes, two
pairs flannel drawers, two wersted shirts,
two pairs pants, one blouse, enc blue
coat, one over coat, one blanket, one cap
and cover, which is about as much as
one man wishes to carry, with has mus
ket, ammunition, &c.
The other abused man is Brig. Gen
Hill. l have neither time nor space to
pass an eulogy upon him, or give his
tory Of his doings in Va, as they have
been told to me by men that were with
| him, and meA that nave investigated tue
qchote case. Bat this much | will say,
that better disciplinaria I, and more
kind hearted man is not to be found in
OAie All the machinery Of this camp
moves and works under his direction,
like well ll-regulated eight=day- clock.
One Of the greatest regrets | have at
leaving Camp Chase, is the loss of the in
structton of its commander. 1t is late
and | must close.
Yours Truly, c.