Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-05-15
RrImumt Chronicle.
FROM THE 18TH REGIMENT.

Field OF SHLoH, Tenn,
Antil al 1Y6J-

Correspondence RI the Belmont Chronicle.
Field OF SHILoH, Tenn,
April 30, 1862.
DEAR CHRONICLE: Sincc my last letter
there has been no change in the state or
condition of the 18th Ohio, save that they,
together with a great many other good and
loyal soldiers, not having the fear Of Beaure-
gard or the Devil before their eyes, but be-
ing instigsted by Gen. Buell. and a sincere
desire to rid the good old estate of Uncle
Samuel Of the aforesaid Beauregard, and
thereby curtail the influence Of the devil in
and upon said estate, did On yesterday, be-
ing the 10Th Of April, advance their camps
two and one-half miles toward Corinth.-
We are now said to be within twelve miles
Of Corinth. What force the enemy have
there l am wholly unable to say. Their
picket lines give way as we advance, with.
out any show of resistance and on Thurs
day last a heavy accommodating party from
our army went out and drove two Of their
Regiments in from their advance positions,
captured some prisoners, and burned their
camp; all without any resistance from the
rebel army. Deserters are coming in daily,
but nothing is known from them by any one,
except at headquarters, the pickets being
instructed to take them to headquarters,
without questioning. l presume, however,
from the cautious manner in which we are
advancing, that our Generals must feel sat
isfed there is an enemy in front of US, and
near at hand, though two deserters who
came in yesterday, and who were question.
cd by the boys as they passed through the
lines, said their principal force was at Grand
Junction, and not at Corinth.
AS to our force here, there is enough Of
us for any emergency. You know ere this
l presume, that Gen. Pope hiss joined u
here. His army is on our left, and, as w
understand, moving out with us. Our line
are gradually advancing, and we are Away
in shape to bring our whole force here int
line Of battle in the front of our camp. Ou
battle line will be from ten TO fifteen mile
in length over three hundred pieces o
cannon on the line, and infantry enough Il
support them.
We feel like having these great question
Of lao and policy that we have been so lonl
pickering and fussing about settled just here
If these questions must be settled by battl,
''now's the day and hour" and here tn,
place, Here in these deep woods, wher
there are no churches, no school houses, n
civilization, nothing but tho scenery tina
the wild Indian roamed through, and wher
man may be excused for feeling like a saw
age, and acting as he feels. Here, if Gen
Beauregard is willing, and it suits his cor
venience, We will argue the questions tina
the Southern Confederacy may choose t
present for discussion.
Capt. Poorman and Lieut.. Williams, G
the 43d, have been to sec US. They are bot
well, aud look like good officers and soldier,
As l have before said, we are in tn
woods here. We have been here over thre
weeks, and in all that time ! have seen b,
two human habitations, and but one roma,
Comment is unnecessary but we will nee
a little humanizing when we get home,
fear. We have plenty of Mica little insec
here, such as weed ticks and black snake
The weed tick is sweet little bird that go
upon you and makes himself at home |
sticking to you like a brother.
We get but few letters now. The DO.
have but little chance to write. Their frien
ought to write the %o!tener. We get b
few papers, and know but little of what
going on in the world. Rumor has it tn
New Orleans is ours, and hat Mcclellan
in Yorktown. The former is credited-tl
latter is not.
Orderly Holloway joined his company t
day. Sergeant Hillis, and p~rivates Robe
Humphrey, j. w. Tiptcn, and John
Todd Joined company Il. They all lo
well, and we were glad to see them.