Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-02-20


Mr.. CAskEY:-I scarcely know how to COM
mence this letter nor what to say, for we have
had SO many adventures the lnstzweek that l
cannot tell all of them, and cannot get at what
want to write We jeff Somerset last Friday
morning for Cumberland Gap, and since then
We hare seen kardt ti,ncs Ourteauis went around
through Somerset. while we came through
near but awful hard way. There was nothing
but by roads, tremendous long steep. and rocky
hills. not only equal 10. but much worse than
Black-creek We Travelled about e miles; but
il appeared more like 20 than l6. We expect
ed to meet our wagons here, but they had A
miles farther TO 90 than we had. and the mud
being so deep, and the roads so bad, and two
of them having upset. they did not come up
till the next night about dark. We had but
one days rations which we were compelled 10
make last Us both days. The greatest difficult
ty, however, was that We expected 10 receive
raiions at the close of the first day, and having
cat what we had. could only feast the second
OH the thoughts OF what we had eaten the first.
gas one of the number detailed for taking
down and putting up the Colonefs tent. The
regiment started while we We're loading the
wagons, and getting behind in this wav, WA
CLANCY and concluded we would stay behind
and take our Time TO il. We SAW great many
things worth telling, but time will not permit.
Que thing, however, / must tell. and that is.
we concluded that the springs through this
country were "sccesh," for you might see three
or four coming out from rs many different hills
run together, and Immediately plunge into the
hill again and you will see nothing more of
them. But must hasten. About sunduwn it
commenced to rain and kept it up manfullv all
night. My companion and |. by not travelling
fast enough, permitted night to over,ake US,
and on we went. carefully feeling our way
through .he dark. We had almost reached
camp, when, welcome sight. we met several of
our aeqEaintances coming back 10 take possess
sion of 4 secesh house for the night You may
bet we were not hard TO persuade 10 go back
with them. We Jared sumptuously for one
night anyway. l slept in bed for the first
time since leaving home. The remainder of
the boys who could not find a roof of some
kind TO cover them, lay out in the open field
with the broad canopy of heaven for covering;
and lest they should become ovcrheated by
their long march, a beautiful showcrbaih pored
lis cooling waters on their tired limbs the whole
night. Saturday VIC moved about mile 10
better camping grounds and waited till our
leans came up which they did at dark. Here
we pitched our tents. DIRE v cOrnmeal and made
mush and coffee for supper; the same for break
fast, and the next morning putting some cold
nush in our haversacks, We started for Rock
river distance of ten miles. Here we over
toek the battery of Artillery, which did so
much service 1T Somerset and which is now
with rs. They were all day Sunday and part
of Monday in getting across the river, and up
an awful steep and muddy hill. If it had not
been for our boys helping them, doubt wheth-
er they would have been up yet. You can
have some idea of the hill, when tell you they
put in 16 horses TO one cannon, and then stuck
with it. Their clothing, and part of their am
.,.l,
thing We had TO the top, while with difficulty
six mules drew the empty wagons after US. At
the top OF this hill we met three wagons loaded
with provisions, which had been forwarded
from London for our relief. Never was any
thing more welcome. We had been living on
bali rarions of cornmeal and bominy, and to
SEQ hard crackers and meat again made Us feel
as proud and independent as kings. i would
like 10 tell you something of the large and nu-
merous springs bursting forth from, and tumb
ling over frightful precipices; of queer shaped
rocks, and other curiosities 10 be seen here, but
time, paper, and patience all forbid. This is
called SublImity Springs. and is a summer re-
sort for the arislocracy of Kentucky, and 4 ro-
mantle retreat it is surely. We crossed the riv-
er on such rekety old boat that when a wag
on would drive on it, it seemed as though it
woIld 60 10 pieces. We made the trip from
the river in two days. Our teams failing 10
get here the night We came. we had the pleas
urc of again lying on the ground without our
tents; but were denied the shower bath. We
are fortunately all well. and if we keep so. we
VIII be able for the hard marching our Colenel
says we will have to undergo next week DO
not be uneasy about us if you do not hear from
any of us for n long time, for opportunities of
writing and sending letters are few while We
are on the march. Our next march will likely
be n speedy one, and at the end Of it we look
for brush. But / must close.
Yours DC, T. B. LINN.