Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-11-27


Unwilling Soldier in the Rebel
Ranks.
The Frederick ND Examiner publish
cs a.etter written by soldier Of the Fifth
Alabama Regiment. on the day before the
battle Of Antieiam, which was afterward
picked up on the field. The writer says:
- "ls CAMP, September lG, 1862.
".Ny DeJrest PIreafs. once more ait
down to drop you few lines this plosapt
morning. ! am still in the land Of the liv-
iInp-thanks to God -and in toerabIe health.
| had severe attack o. the diarrhea from
eating green corn on our march. hut am
now getting over it. We have had e
very hard times since wruts TO kst: we
have had hard nalchirg and but little
to eat. Of ten thought Of home snd its
comforts, and compared them with my
present har1ships. But It is useless 10
complain; there are no kind hearts here 10
pity. and no fathers words of CONSOLATION.
NJ mothers look Of sympathy, no brothers
to share our burdens, and no Kind sister to
console II in our sorrows. Oh, how miss
the social eniearmenta of homcl never
could fully appreciate all the blessings of a
good home until entered camp.
II I we're not for the consolation Of re-
liglon do not know now should be able
TO boar NJ under il; but whenever feel Cd.
pressed ] iiy TO my Bible. and there | can
always find con-olation. Daar mother, you
do not know how much have been com
fOrtcd from the dear little Bible vau paye
me when left home, anl how much have
thought of yrur parting adyice There is
so much wickedless in camp; almo4, every
moment you hear some one taking Gods
, name in vain. | am 50 sick Of camp life: I
wish ] were ont Of Il; Ihare m heart IL.
thts nar. How many thousands of poor
creatures are hurled unprepared into the
presence of their Maker! 4 soldier of all
men, should live close to God, and yet it
seems tn ms&hey never think Of dying. a.
though their comrades fall all around them.
We had severe fight on SUNDAY; our regi-
nIent was cut UP terribly. | was sick and
was no; in the fight. 1'hor say it was aw-
ful; our nen fell back with great loss: our
company is nearly all killed or wounded:
the slaughter was terrible. Ir is generally
thought we will have much hard fighting
soon. as the Yankees arc close after rs.
: II have had many chances 20 desert
since We have been in Maryland. but my
/ pride will not permit me. Although ! was
always opposed to this war, AMI think it was
begun without good cause. anl only to graf
/ IFS the ambition Of broken down politicians,
( yet ! cannot bear the disgrace Of being called
deserter Besides, Icould not come home
To- see my dear parents and brothers and
sisters any more: 80 think | will try 10
/ stick il out, and trust my life in the hands
! Of iny Heavenly Father. aud if it should b.
! His divine will that we are never to meet
/ again on earth, we have His promise of q
| happy meeting beyond this vale Of tears,
where brother will no longer war with broth
! er. aud death will never come. but I would
love to he at home with you all once more
Nv hen think over it, it seems as though
It cannot be that we are separated; | often
dream of home AMI the loved ones [ left
behind me. When | came over the Nouu-
tans few days ago stopped and looked
down on the beautiful fields and the happy
farm houses and cattle grazing, and none
Of the desolatng marks Of war'yere here.
then could not restrain the falling tears as
compared the happy lanl before me with
the desolate appearance ofmv own loved
native land and tho parts Of Virginia we
came through. You have no idea of tho
I horrors OF war; language cannot describe it.
men seem to live and die withOuJa thought
/ Of God or eterni,y-many, with terrible
oath OF blasphemy in their mouths. goins
right into the presence of holy God with
horrid curses and imnre,atiens on their
tongues. May the Msrciful Lord have
I pity on their poor souls and save them from
the gnawing Of the worm that never dlesl
There IS much more Ua0n ssatin,sat
here than toe erpettsd to fad Think our
| o6icers are s1fiy dtspppointe1 nth tllea- re.
ceptioa here, although they DO not say much.
| do not think the people of Maryland gen
orally wish to cast their destiny in our
hands. There are many who wish Us we'll,
whilst but few will come forward to assist
US. think our leaders have been greatly
| deceived by misrepresentation as to the
true sentiment Of the people here. They
are not with US. y