Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1862-11-28
Written for the Journal.
CATLETTSBURG. N.Y.
Nov. 20, 1862.

Having a leisure hour to-day
| concluded to devote 1t TO a short
contribution to your columns.
There are many Things of which
| would like to speak, but neither
time nor space will admit at
present. We are now stopping
for short time upon the sacred
soil OF Virginia at the mouth of
the Big Sandy. This stream
at the present time is very low
and easily forded, but it frequeut-
" becomes so swollen by rains in
the mountains that large boats
can pass up it for over a hundred
miles. Catlettsburg on the Ken
lucky side, is town OF about
one thousand inhabitants. Ii Is
not noted for anything particular
" unless it is the number OF It's
hotels and whisky shops. be-
lieve J counted seven hotels. but
my patience was entirely exhaus-
ted before got throu n counting
the fashionable saloons. We
have constructed kind of tenn
porary poatoon bridge across the
Big Sandy at this point so that
we can cross over without pet
ting our feet damp. The 40ih
Ohio, Col. Cranor, left Us yes
terday. As they marched throa5h
our camp | could ~. help bat
feel sorry for the poor fellows,
many OF whom had lost mess
mate among the bleak mountains
20 which they were now march
ing, bat notwithstanding the ma
ny hardshIps and prlvations to
which they knew they would IN
evitably be exposed during the
coming winter, they carried them
selves like veterans, with a firm
and steady step of patriots en-
gagged in a great nd glorious
cause. While with the 10th we
formed many pleasant acqua:n-
tances, and as our destination al
present is not definitely known,
we may have an opportunity yet
OF improving that acquaintance
up the Big Sandy. suppose
you are keot pretty we'll posted
in regard to the Siih, as ! neucc
frequent communications from
VARIOUS sources IN your paper. 1t
is Only necessary, therefore, to
say that we are in fighting trim,
and ready at moments wara-
ing for a brush with the enemy.
Our field officers suppose you
all know, if not personally, at
least by reputation. Our Colo
mel. Nelson Trusler, is just the
man we want, although un>kiIl
ed IN military matters when he
came to us in Kentucky, he i'm
mediately went to work and with
diligence and perseverance he
has become almost thoroughly
proficient in the art Of drilling.
Our Lieutenant Colonel, Orr. Is
a gentleman and greatly beloved
bv the men of the Si;h. Our
Major, A. j. Neh', you all know:
he is much respected by the
whole Regiment. Our Captains
stand high in the estimation of
their men; those from Randolph
county are, lst, William Burris,
a jolly good fellow, always
ready to crack joke or Butter
nut; %, Captain Carter, clever
and sociable and always of good
temper; Sd. Captain Miller, rath-
er quiet and unassuming in his
manners, but strict in the dis.
charge of his duties, and some
what celebrated for an occasional
dry joke. As it was not my in
tentlon to tax your patience with
a long letter | shall close for the
present by stating that the health
OF our Regiment is tolerably
good only, as many of the men
have recently taken the measles,
but, as yet, in no case has the
disease proved fatal.
With respect, yours truly,