Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-11-09
Headquarters ohie nEillsla,
ADIurANT.G GkeEhAl's ORRIcE.
CO,.umBus, Nov. Z, 1861. !

OuAumhubi NVtas - AOoAs
The following letter has been received by
The Governor Of the State from the General
Commanding the Department Of the Kanawha,
In reply to inquiries of the Governor on tho
snbIec. 10 which IL refers. II is full and clear
statement, and 1t is hoped will serve to correct
the impressions produced by the exaggerated
account, that have hitherto been presented to
the public, ls S.es 49tt>b ~
HEADQUARTERS Drpr. WEsTERN vA,l
ToMPKlNs's FARM, 0ct 30, 1861.
His, Excellency, w. DESNsoS, Governor of
Ohio:
slR-The sympathies Of the people Of Ohio
and Indiana have been deeply excited by ac-
counts of the destitution and suffering OF our
troops In this Department. Moved by these
sympathes, they have been making laudable
exertions to procure the means OF supplying our
wants and Nlleviating our distress. Not only
90, they have appointed committees to trace,
through popular rumor and exaggefation, the
true causes of our difficulty. Observing that
committees have been appointed for that pur-
pose by the citizens Of the State, have thought
proper 10 address you note which may, assist
them 10 their labors, and possibly aid them In
giving proper direction to the charities rendered
70 the suffering defenders Of the Republic. As
to the capses Of want Of clothing, they are chief
ly due: LIST. To the fact that no troops have
been sent TO this Department who have not
been called suddenly here to meet pressing
emergencies, before they had been fully equip
ed. %. After arriving here they have been
compelled 10 scatter over q mountainous and
comparatively wilderRess country, having o
frontier of nearly three hundrad miles, and o
breadth of over one hunred and fifty miles, In
tersected BY few narrow roads, and inhabited
| by timid or lukewarm population, alternately
domineered over by secession violence or ruled
BY dl.afecton. s,u.
Over these narrow mountainous roads our
| troops have been obliged to march from one
point to another az they were threatened, car
ryiDg only the most absolute necessaries, in
order not to endangsr their safety by cumbrous
wagon trains. .
The clothing that began to arrive from the
east early In September, for want OF Tansporta'
ton, and on account OF the uncertainty OF the
results Of movements toward the rebels, could
Dot be permitted to follow our troops In the
march from the railroad southward, nor, except
cautiously, to Cheat Mountain, while there was
doubt OF the ability of our troops to sustain
themselves against the fearful odds reported to
exist against them. When the battle of Car
nifax and the repulse Of the rebels at Cheat
Mountain had settled the question Of safety
orders were Immediately dispatched 70 send for
ward clothing with the greatest possible dis
patch. tfl
Meanwhile, terrible rains came on, the roads
became 80 bad that teams could not haul over
half their usual load, and took third longer
to 60 the same distance, Hence three times as
many wagons were necessary to perform the
same amount Of transportation. Provisions and
ammunition we're the first necessities, and
clothing was obliged to follow as It could be
sent. But our troops have been four or five
months In the field, in rain and wet, over noun
tains and through forests, had worn out their
clothes and shoes, and the cold rains made them
| feel their condition, and caused the sudden cry
of suffering to be raised. The orders for for
warding clothing we're duly attended to, as well
/ as the obstacles from want of transportation
would admit The troops in this line fell back
some twenty-four miles to increase the ease Of
getting clothing and supplies, and are already
pretty well provided. ,., ,.,....
As to the sickness among our troops, it has
been by no means as great as might be supp0s-
ed, varying from one to twelve per cent, and
averaging less than four per cent. OF the en-
tire force. But the causes Of the sudden and
surprising increase of sickness are doubtless,
First. The great change in the habits Of
life. Men accustomed to regular homes, good
cooking and good beds, are suddenly subjected
to exactly the reverse. Thrown into forest
country, exposed to rain, cold, heat, and night
watchings, and toilsome marches, their strength
became gradually impaired, and when the au-
tumnal weather set in, the feeble constitution
began to yield. ~ Cd
The second cause is the want Of proper at
tention to cleanliness and cooking in camp, due
to inexperience and negligence Of officers
Comparatively easy on the score OF clothing
and, except In few instances, with improving
health, we now await the proper time to strike
blow for our country,
Meanwhile, what shall be done with contribu.
tions generously made for our relief and com.
fort2 My advice Is, that clothing and Other
things should be collected and safely stored
until we go into winter quarters or call for them
to increase the comforts of our hospitals. To
make these collections ava liable, invoices .of
them should be sent TO the State Quartermss-
ter-G General, who will thereby become aware Of
what Is to be bad, and, when informed Of our
wants, draw on these stores for supplies.
Were clothing sent now 10 the troops, fear
most OF Ii would be lost or cause other articles
to be thrown Or traded away for want of room
in the knapsacks. -i.. e,t' 90
With high esteem, have the honor to be,
very respectfully, your obedient servant, m
e.-- W. s. ROSECRANS,
pr Brig. g.-Gen. U. s. A.
In accordance with the suggestion Of General
ROsecrans 1t is recommended that contributions
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