Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-12-06
Army Correspondence.
RoMNEY, Va, Nov. "a, 1851.


FRIEND KEELER.-We are vet in Rom.
ney, Notwithstanding the numerous reports
that have been circulated that we were 90
ing to Winchester "to.morrow; but that
mythical day has not yet arrived, and there
is no reckoning" when it will. There was
an Englishman came into camp last week
with message from Mcdonald, the rebel
commander, who left here about tho time
we came iu, informing Gen. Kelley that he
must leave within two days, or be would be
driven out, also, ordering the non-combai-
tonts to leave Immediately. Gen. Kelley
quietly put the spy in Jail and is waiting
for the rebels to make their appearance.
The weather has been as fair as wo ex.
pected to find it, yet at times it is very un-
pleasant for dwellers in "cotton houses"
and worse still for picket duty. 1t requires
about 700 men each day to perform the
guard duty at this station. The force now
here is composed of the 4th, 9th and 9th
Ohio; tho first five companies ofthe 7tb, one
company of the Sd, and one company of the
4th Virginia; three companies cavalry, two
batteries and two odd pieces, amounting to
fifteen guns, and they are of the first quail
lity. There is report that we arc to be re-
linforced BY three regiments from Cheat
Mountain the fore part of this week. 1t
looks as though We would have something
to do before many days beside picket duty.
The boys are getting tired of inaction and
are clanorous for forward movement.
There have been numerous letters receiv-
ed here inquiring whether We have enough
to eat, stating that it is currently reported
at home that we are in starving condition.
We will give list of our rations for the
benefit of the getters up of the story: Hard
bread, salt pork, fresh beef, beans, rice, cof-
fee, sugar and part Of the time potatoes and
onions. We have been confined to hard
bread only part of the time since we have
been here, as the boys have been drawing
flour on their back rations, and having cap
tured to large Dutch ovens, manage to bake
a very good quality Of short-cake or biscuit.
Whatis meant by back ratious is stuff which
the boys did not need at the time, and took
a due bill from the Quartcrmastcr for tho
amount. There is now due them about
a hundred pounds of coffee which they can
draw whenever they wish. They trade cof.
fee and sugar to the farmers vegetables,
getting 40 cents per pound for coffee and
l5 cents for sugar. That the boys suffer
hardships cannot be denied, but any man
who cannot live on regular rations is not fit
for soldier. Lieut., Ruess, our gentleman
ly and accommodating Quartermaster, in.
formed us that We would have fresh, soft
bread tonight and regularly heroafter.-
The reason we have not had it since our ar
rival here is tho distance which it had to be
transported by team, and the large amount
Of teaming which had to be done in getting
the munitions and provisions from the rail
road here. I.-.. .f ,..... g.. ,...--..
Tho boys are well, with three or four ex-
Iceptions, and they have sore feet and colds.
We have not got man in tho hospital nor
one who is not ready to march if there was
a prospect Of a fight ahead. ..'.
Respectfully. DC, ... i.-
ben a .a Henry W. FARMER, rl 4
4B s O.S. Comp, F, 9th Reg. o. v.
st .sra.1 J. H. HHoRNDIKE, I'd Sergt.
ss s.'t ...u J. DouaHERTV ir., Sd Serg't.