The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-04-17
From, the First Esesi..sesat.

! From Our Own Correspondent.
CAMP NEAR COLUMBIA, Tenn,
April &, 1862
| Three days rations cooked Immediately"
There is considerable meaning in these few,
words,as person would easily have seen by the
hustle aGd confusion, created this morning in
our usually quiet camp by their announcement.
Visions of dust heat and fatigue, fantneSs, thirst
camping out, blistered feet, lame legs, aching
shoulders, and hard times generally are called
up by prone icing those words But no one
complains. Our greatest anxiety is, to do as
much Of our marching as possible before the hot
season.
| 1t doesn't seem possible that few bundled
miles should make as much difference in the
climate, as there is between here and Wiscon-
sin The peach trees have been in full bloom
for over week the forest trees are nearly
leaved out spring wheat, Of which considera-
bic is sown in this State, is two or three inches
high, and grass enough for grazing. There has
been some beautiful scenery that we have pass
ed, but I fear it was not very well appreciated.
If you ever 60 travelling for pleasure, you will
ii
back, two inches of duse under-foot. and an in
definite quantity overhead, auxijaries entirely
unnecessary for your enjoyment. When the
IsraeIites were "soIdierng," a cloud of smoke
moved before them. I consider that plan de.
cidedly preferable to having the cloud with and
amongst us, as is the style now.
But setting all testing aside, the last march
from Franklin to Columbia-23 miles was rath
er a. hard tramp. We started early in the morn
ing of "April fools day" but there was no fool
ing about our tramp. Our point ofdestination-
Columbia is situated just across Duck Creek
the bridge Of which has been destroyed. Sc
when we got within about five miles of the lat
ter place, we pitched what tents were with us
A part of the teams had gone TO Nashville thu
day before with our overcoats, which it is no
expected will be wanted any more I'LL next au
tumn; by this means they were unable to COM
with the rest Of the train. This left portion
of us-your servant among the number-to la,
out. How would you have slept kind reader
on that night, between two rows of potatoes
with nothing to cover you bat the clothes yol
wear Substitute for the potatoes, the ridge
of a cotton field. and you will have picture G
the writer, and many others, on the night il
question The next morning bright and earl
we started, in hopes that we might get acros
p the pOntoon bridge, before it was occupied wit
9 the teams-but it was no go-and there wer
e three or four miles Of wagons to cross befor
e we could. So we came two or three miles tC
ward the river, and again camped. The mex
morning we crossed on a temporary bridg
which had been constructed on the site Of tn
Il old one.
I So here we are, and this morning we start fc
some where else Laying in camp two (
three weeks at place is played out. Herea
: ter, we shall have to work. There are indlci
d lions that stand will be made at Corinth.
i such should be the case, we shall probably G
there, as soon as possible.
We are fairly among the cotton plantations
5f which we have read so much and the picture
had formed of the country, were very nearl
correct. At intervals of half mile or so, 70
" viii see e beautiful residence, surrounded wit
shrubbery, and evergreens and hedges, thong
g there is not as much pains taken in this respec
r as there is north. Here lives the planter
elegance and luxury; on some other part of Il
plantation is the negro quarters, cluster
log buildings wood-coored ar
sometimes whitewashed. These are usual
without glass for windows, or any other col
1r venience Of civilization. Here they exc OF
their miserable existence. incarceration wi
s an intelligent slave, James. informed me the
y, were furnished by their masters with suit
summer and another of winter clothing Wha
, ever else they have, they must earn at night.
The fruit most frequently met here is the peac
This grows in hedges, orchards, fields, an
s. where that they are wanted presume 9th
fruit would grow WELL though there is no entt
prise among the inhabitants to start orchard
Zee grape vines, too, grow TO fabulous size.
And now for another tramp. Tell our frien
not to think US forgetful if we do not write We
often. With unwavering confidence in t
sy, glorious cause, I subscribe myself W.
nd
nd The immutabIe laws of nature remain {