The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1862-03-07
Tiffin afreklp Tribune.
Onr Srmg Correspondence
LETTER FROM COS. GIBSON.
CAMP Fry, KY, Feb. %.

CAMP FRY, KY, Feb. %.
Ems. TRtnuNE:
Here we are in Camp Fry. Its twcn-
iy-two miles from Bowling Green, and
twenty in advance Of Camp Wood. Here
is a splendid estate of 5000 acres, finely
improved, belonging to two young men who
were captured with the rebel prisoners at
Fort Donclson.
1t is about two miles from Diamond
Cave, and the samo distance from the
"cave Of hundred domes," whilst il is
but seven to Mammoth Cave. so long the
wonder of the world. In our camp is
Bells Tavern, where hundreds Of pleas.
nre srctsrs have naoruaiy ..ilicd in the
Summer. At Mammoth Cave is anotnv,
large hotel, the furniture of which was
despoilcd by the rebels. At Cave City,
four miles north, was a fine hotel which
they burned. The Woodland Hotel kept
by w. Ritter and eight miles from these
caves, is the place TO "h0lt." Tho old
man, with his noble wife and three splc n.
did daughters, are generous, cordial and
earnest patriots.
On the 10th ! accompanied Gen. John.
son and escort, with a flag of truce, with
in about three miles Of this place. We
met Moj. Harrison Of Texas and near two
hundred Rangers. 1t was an interesting
meeting to me. This was before General
Mitchell advanced, and the rebel forces
were nine miles this side of Bowling
Green, under Hindman.
The object Of Gen. Johnson was tc
arrange for an exchange Of prisoners
It was agreed that Gems. Johnson ant
Hindman should meet the following Fri
day, but Mitchell advanced d, and the rcb
els retired to Dixie.
Among the Rangers were many fin,
heads, and all appeared polite and cor
dial. They were very free in converse
ton and avowcd that they would "nevc
come under the old government" The,
exhibited great enthusiasm and unbound
q cd confidence in their leader. They wcr
all comfortably clothed, but no one wa
in uniform. Their horses were inlcric
: Tennessee and Kentucky stock, but tn
; cquipogo was good. These Ranger
brought no horses from Texas. Ever
man had blanket and oil cloth, the lnt
ter in many instances being table cloths
Each man had two or three rcvolvcrs, O
/, the old style, and either u shot gun or ri
flc. Many Of them looked old, but som
Of them were finely finished and now -
They convcrsod freely of their fight wit
the "dutch," and claimed that they killc
at least scvcnty-fve.
Several OF them knew our old fcllo,
; citizen, DR.. ]. NJ. Steiner, now of Tcxa
: and spoke of him in terms Of praise, br
said that owing to poor health he wa
not in the army.
The interview ended, VIC separated in
manner as polite as set of "dancir
masters"
But enough. We lc quarters
Camp Wood on the lith, bound, as W
imagined, for Dixie by the river route, al
marched fourteen miles to Upton, the d.
being very cold, and the ground cover
!. with snow. The roads were awful a
!. not team reached us that night; '
o slept well, however, by rousing fires ma
Of an article known in Ohio us "lenc
y rails" | never slept better at no ome.
+, Saturday, it was ascertained, / suppos
'' that Fl Donelson could be taken witho
our aid, and at p. NJ. we started bac
: marching six miles to Ba con creek.
y Sunday morning at five we moved agai
NJ and crossing Green River at Camp Wo
halted at =. M. at RowDets Static
MS where the whole division pitched ten
ia The weather cold, until then, began
'a change, and when the 9th Brigade start
at five the next morning, it was raining
is earnest.
's For eight miles we marched in drcuC
p" inc rain through floods Of mud No ma
Galtered or complained, and by en- t
u next morning every man of the 49th, W
" started, was in camp. The country frt
Camp Wood here, is very good for whe
ny and grain generally. 1t is beautiful, I
sombling some portion Of Stark coun
y, Ohio.
All along the road the deserted rel
n camps are to be seen. At this place
! looks us il 10000 at least had camped,
= The whole country has been covered wi
& their camps, There is not much G
donoe oftheir vandalism, aud many CO
" respondents have manufactured many 81
ries which sound ridiculous to one W
K knows the facts. Rpilroad station hou
os are all burnt, as is the hotel at Ca
City, and aside from these building, ,
y in all, / don't believe the rebels ha
burnt building between Green RN
and Bowling Green.
For twelve miles every pond has frc
one to five dead horses, hogs or cattle