Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-12

hills, and about dark the pickets were posted,
and we prepared 10 spend the night in the
woods and open fields. Company G was
stationed on road that run through mag
nifcent forest of chesnut, with thick under
brush that afforded good shelter from the
dew. Those who were not on guard folded
their blankets around them and lay down in
the bushes, somewhat fearful of snakes and
other reptiles that infest this region. We
were in strange place, in a wild region,
and in close proximity to the enemy, which
had tendency to keep us somewhat wake
full. But tired limbs and clear conscience
will WOO sleep under almost any circum-
stances, and we rested well. In the morning
the guard had something wonderful to tell
of wild beasts they had seen and strange
noises they had heard during the night:
0ne;party had seen bear within few feet OF
them.
Many doubted the story, but they stuck to
it. Soon one of the boys came running
down the road, exclaiming he had seen
bear a short distance above. There" said
they, didn't we tell you so?" and seizing
their guns they rushed after it. In a few
minutes a shout of laughter was heard, and
they came back. 1t was evidently not the
bear they had seen during their watch. AT
daylight the pickets of the enemy were seen
only few hundred yards from our own, and
quite considerable body of men were sta
toned on hillside farther on. They ga
luted us in the morning by calling us
damned Yankees" Our boys replied if
not in elegant terms, at least in very ex'
pressive ones. Colonel Anderson had posi-
tive orders not to attack them. This was
rather provoking, as we had such splendid
opportunity to ''do some thing" But as we
are mere chessmsn in the hands of the one
who is playing the game, he perhaps knows
a better move, and will make it when the
time comes. A few boys belonging to COM
pany O, accidentally wandered too close to a
rebel picket, when they were fred on. Be-
ing attacked, of course they had to defend
themselves, so they returned the fire, kill
ing two, it is said, and driving them from
their post.
We stayed on the ground from Saturday
evening till Wednesday afternoon. Each
day and night was replete with incident.
Living in the green woods, we looked like
pack of Robin Hoods men, and were as
Jolly as ever they were. The weather was
delightful, most of the time, which is fact
worthy of all praise and everlasting remem-
brance. We got well acquainted with the
ground, and were becoming quite attached
to our home in the wild wood. The scenery
was grand. l assembled to a spot where l
had an unobstTucted view for miles around.
A perfect whirlpool of hills were scattered
in every direction, with deep ravines be-
tween, and few miles to the south rose
Elk Mountain, more prominent and plainly
defined than the others. Far off in the
hazy distance were other ranges, the names
of which l could not ascertain. But few
houses or farms could be seen, and the noun
tains, hills and dells remained as they came
from the hand of the Creator. A few noun
tsineers, however, must have lived in the
vicinity, for near our quarters was a log
school-house. | visited their temple of
learning one day, and found the school
master had long been absent. The play
ground had grown up with grass and weeds,
and the little path that led to the door could
scarcely be defined. The fireplace, built of
large rocks, and very ample, was filled with
ashes. Long benches, made of logs split in
two, with two wooden pins inserted at each
end for legs, were arranged around the
room, and bore marks of many jack knife.
On one side of the room was a single row
of glass, extending the whole length of the
building, and under meath a writing desk,
covered with blotches Of ink and few dried
up goose quills. Spiders had wesved their
webs in the windows, and were lazily wait
ing for their unsuspecting prey. The peda-
gogUe chair was empty, and his birch lay
unused in the corner. Where are the urchins
that burnt the toes of their shoes out before
the winter fire, or dozed over their A B C's in
the long summer afternoons OF by-gone
DAYS? Their old school-house is going to
decsy, and armed men bivouac on their play
ground. The tramp of the soldier is heard
OF the grodnd once sacred to town ball and
prisoner s-base.
Not many pleasanter times have we seen
since we have been soldering than We did in
those mountains. A long watch Of still,
clear night is anything but disagreeable.
The hoOlipg Of oW Is, the hum of insects and
the sereach Of the wildcat ard panther have
their charms on account Of their rarity. We
could hear no news from home; otherwise
We were contented. Tuesday night about
twelve o'clock it commenced raining, and
continued until morning, wetLing US thor
oughly. We had escaped much better than
we had expected, and bore this little incon-
venience becomingly. We were relieved on
Wednesday, and started on our backward
march over the same road we had come.
The rains of the previous night made the
road perfectly horrible. Language suitable
to ears polite is incapable of describing it,
1t was a miserable road with entire new
appointments" as the theater bill says. After
a weary march we accomplished it, however,
and arrived here, muddy, wet and tired. We
heard then the rumor of the death of JEFF
Davis. We are Christian men, and bore this
dispensation of Providence without a mur.
mur, and are prepared to stand "few more
Of the same SORT"
To enter into details of our position herC
would not be proper. If the enemy wants
to know how we are 'fxed," they had bettel
come and see. l have no doubt something
will "turn up" soon.
Companies B and K went off this morning
on secret expedition. How long they vii
be gone can not tell. Success attend them
In sending letters to the regiment it is no
necessary to direct them to any particular
place. Just say 4" Sixth Regiment, Western
| Virginia" with the letter Of the company
| you wish to send it to.
We understand regiment or two of Cap
tains could be raised in Cincinnati. Tel
those ambitious youths to stick to their ciVi
and kid gloves, and let villainous saltpetel
alone; it would not suit them. Glory gainet
in forced marches over bad roads, sleeples
nights, with a diet Of fat pork and hart
crackers, 20, how hard y is dearly bought
| and / am afraid those tender gentleme
could not stand it, even with epaulettes o
their shoulders. j. A. q.
A facetious boy asked one Of his play
mates how hardware dealer differed froI
a bootmaker? The latter somewhat pui
zled, gave it up