Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-04-30

0alEHAoH, Jasper o., No, |
lnril Ia 1872

0AlEHAan, Jasper o., No, |
April 10, 1852.
EDHORs LEADnR;--It is some time since I
troubled you with any eHualon, Is An abund-
anoe Of news is never complained Of in this
'FegiOn" Of the globe You will probably
learn before this reaches Cleveland that the
let battalion Of the Second Ohio Cavalry
has gone to Carthage, Mo. Nothing of
special interest had occurred in the regiment
or about Fort Scott for some time, with the
exception, perhaps, Of an order, issued by
Acting Brigadier General Doubleday, for our
regiment to march, which, however, was
OOuntermanded by General Denver the day
previous to the time sppOin nted for leaving.
Soon after, the FIRST battalion received orders
to move to this point. We left Fort Scott
Thursday morning, April 10th, arriving here
yesterday at IL o'clock A. ID requiring Eve
days to complete the short march Of sixty
miles. But can testify, without the faint
est reluctance, that the march came higher
to what always supposed campaigning con-
sisted Of, than anything have heretofore
experienced. The first dsy was a very
pleasant march of twelve miles, sncamping
on the Big Fork of Dry Wood. The next
morning the weather was cloudy and indi-
Gated rain, but tents were struck and we
moved of. When shout eight miles out,
the rain commenced pouring down, the wind
blew, and a very disagreeable storm pre-.
vailed. The result was we had to haul to
and wait till morning. Saturday We made
twelve miles in fine style. Then fate turned
against us, and the next four miles was the
most iisaqreeable marching ever experienced
by this command. The prairie was bottom
less almost and the mules were utterly un-
able to take the wagons along. Each CON-
pany then took up rope, and with thst as
Bistanee the wagons were drawn into camp,
which was at La Mar, the county seat Of
Piketon county. The following day We
made march Of sixteen miles over one Of
the finest regions Of country that ever lay
beneath the blue canopy Of heaven, encamp-
ing on Coon Greek. An early start on the
following morning soon brought Us to the
end of our journey.
The last days march was by far the most
interesting, for the reason that we marched
over the famous battle ground of Sigel and
Price Our guide pointed Us to the spot
where Sigei fred the first gun; also the di.
rection of his retreat If anything gives the
true ring to soldier, It is to march him over
q famous battle ground, where external evil
dences manifest the dire effects of the bloody
conflict. We had an opportunity to stand on
the consecrated ground where the gallant
Sigel planted his cannon and filed the cross
ing Of Dry Fork with heaps Of the dead BY
the terrible cross FIRE he brought to bear upon
them. While resting from our march, sew
eral canister shot were picked up, also sew
eraI Minnie balls. The bones Of horses lay
scattered over the field in all directions, and
at the foot of tall elm, near the bank of the
river, some heaps of earth marked the rest
ing place Of some Of the noble patriots who
gave up their lives on that hsrd-fought field
for freedom and for right. The retreat and
fighting was continued distance Of fourteen
miles, two miles beyond this place.
Carthage is not as large place as would
naturally be supposed Judging from reputa-
ton. counted, this evening, hfty-tWo
buildings, all of which are of an inferior
order compared with our towns in the North,
Major Minor Is adopting rigid policy with
the aiders and abettors of treason. A scout |
ing and fOraging party to-day brought in |
I've prisoners, nine wagon loads Of corn and |
hay, foar horses, fifteen or twenty mules, one |
beef, ard numerous other necessaries to sup |
ply the wants of the soldiers The country, |
I have no doubt, will be thoroughly secured |
in all directions.
More anon. Yours, &c,
O00ASTON