Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-07-03
b Belmnut Thrnuirlr.
) II. CL AIRS vILLE Es
THURSDAY, JULY 8, lssa.
FROM THE asa REGIMENT.
Editorial Correspondence Of The Belmont Chronicle.
CAMP CLEAR CREEK, NEAR CoRiNTH,
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been AZ hours in our present camp, without
even an order to ''cook two days rations,"
and from appearances we are likely to re-
main here for some time, a. we have dug
wells and fixed up our tents and csmp gefi 4
orally for comfortable liSing--after the
a rmy fashion. There has been but two
reasons assigned for Withdrawing the army
from Boonville, the retreat of the rebels at
least 80 miles South Of that point, and the
scarcity Of water. The latter was certainly
a very serious objection to our position, as
we could with great difficulty get water
enough to drink, and has been entirely OBJ
vicated by our removal to this point, as we
have an abundance Of it here, not only for
drinking and cooking purposes, but for
bathing and swimming in, as we are within
one-fourth of a mile Of the head waters of
the Tombigbee river and after the desper-
ate march of 20 miles from Boonville here
over dusty road, and very hot day, be-
tween 10 O'Clock, A. NJ, and s P. NJ, by
which one-half the men were worn out, the
bathing privilege has been fully. enjoyed,
and Of immense value to the army.
We are also much nearer our supplies,
and have already felt the advantage, as we
are drawing full rations Of everything we
are entitled to, which has not been the case
for the past week, and the men are beginning
to recruit in spirits as we'll as in health and
there is no doubt that q few weeks rest, and
proper treatment by commissary and sur
geon, aided by the natural advantages of
our position, win greatly increase the numer-
ical force, as well as efficiency of the army.
Buelrs army is reported to have gone to
East Tennessee. Pope's army has again
been increased by the addition of Sherman .
and Wallace's divisions, which now form
the centre, under Gen. Sherman. Gems.
Paine and Stanley's divisions form the right
wing, under Gen. Rosecrans. The left wing
is under Gen. Granger There are 4S Reg.
iments Of Infantry,6 6 Of cavalry, and 20 odd
batteries in Pope's army, which makes it a
very formidable little army. as it has hereto.
fore been very active one.
We have heard and read great deal late.
ly about the capture Of locomotives and cars,
but this morning our ears and eyes were ga.
luted for the first time for many day with
the once familiar steam whistle and soul.
stirring sight of a moving train, putting away
down the Mobile and Ohio Railroad towards
Boonyille, and where further deponent saith
not; but as it passed through our extended
camps it was greeted with cheer after cheer,
that went up with will from hearts thai
appeared rejoiced at this evidence Of oul
undisputed possession of Northern Mis-
sissippi.
1t is strange how man learns to get alonl
after few months experience without thcs,
comforts and advantages he has been in tn,
habit Of enjoying, and how little is reaM
necessary to supply his wants. The poe
who wrote Tam t
| aMan wants but little here below,
| Nor wants that little long"
must certainly have been soldier, or, a
least, have known something of soldier
life, for there is no other class Of csuilize
humanity whose wants are 80 easily supplied
A few hard crackers and cup Of coffee
and-if rations are full, "a little fat meat fo
breakfast, beans, fat meat and. crackers fo
dinner, and tea or coffee and hard cracker
for supper, and old mother earth, with one
halfa blanket under and the other hslf owe
him, constitutes the soldiers boarding an
lodging" that he soon becomes accustome
to, and learns, to some extent, to enjoy
and If it was not for the 'reoollections of be-
ter days" that occasionally force themselvs
upon him, he might comply with the ihjune
ton of the Apostle, with such things :
I thou hast be content Herewith" but the
! the thoughts Of home, with its comforts ar
/ advantages, and the many little courtesi'
that wife, mother or sisters han'
have been won't to bestow, that In his leisu
hours will force themselves upon him, max
him long and wish for the time when
can say, no more hard bread, no more bean
r no more fat meat for me.
g Why is it that the friends Of the soldi
neglect SO wofully to write letters and SOL
home-newspapers to them If they cou
see with what anxiety they cluster aroul
Q the person charged with the distribution
the mail when it arrives, and witness L
;" wild demonstrations Of Joy the receipt Of
letter from some loved one is sure to ooc
\; s sion, and contrast this with the detected q
disappointed look, that seems to say no o
caFss tor me, that manifests itself in the "a
z Of those whose names have not been calls
and then watch those who have been ma
70 happy by the receipt fthat very little [
Of paper that cost less than one cent in mon
and very few minutes labor, and see vi
I. what evident delight and satisfaction th
i. resd and re-read the welcome missive, .
,y then carefully put it away to be read .
ID, re-read another day, they would certaiy
d, be willing to devote littie more Of III
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