Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-27
From the -Forty-FirSt Resimept.
6correspondeacs q Clevslahd Lsaaar.l
CAMP NEAR NASHVILLE, TENEEssEK, /
December %, 1852.


CAMP NEAR NASHVILLE, TENEEssEE,
December 20, 1852.
Something from The FOrty-frst may be
acceptable, as your columns have contain
ed nothing from it for some time. The
changing fortunes Of war have brought us
again to Nashville, from which city, nearly
a year agos your correspondent wrote Of
the fortunes Ofthe Forty-hrst.
At no time since its organization has the
health of the regiment been better than at
present. This latitude has the finest cli-
mate in the world, and the cool, dry,
bracing winds of the present season are
Infinitely more conducive to the health of
the army than the eontinuous rains that
are necessary to swell the Cumberland.
Many of the new regiments, called, with
out previous discipline, to endure the ia
tigue and exposure of campaign Of al
most unparalleled activity, are suffering
severely from sickness. Every regiment
that enters active service passes through
period when the efforts Of the best physi-
clans fail to check the disorders induced
by the change in the mode of life. This
period once passed, the powers of endur-
anee increase the more they are taxed.
A sojourner here, even for a brief period,
will become satisfied that the Union army
Is IN no -igEger-o fbeeouing- eHeFya4ed-l
luxury and ease, as was the veteran army
of Hannibal during its winters stay in
voluptuous Capua. All actual wants seem
to be supplied, but luxuries are unknown.
The region that we have traversed dur
ing the late campaign has been repeatedly
occupied by the cOntending armies, and we
have had an opportunity of noting the sad
effects of war upon q community. I have
read of a whitening wind that sometimes
sweeps over and blights the land of the
Orientals, and of the dread visitation
when the angel of the Lord smote the first
born of Egypt, but can conceive of moth
ing more utterly desolate and ruinous than
the track Of an army. In the aggregation
Of such nass Of humanity, many re-
straints seem removed, and the tendency
to evil is strengthened by the apparent
lack of individual accountability. Many
a soldier has thoughtlessly committed acts
the remembrance Of which will startle him
when surrounded by other and better in
fuenees. Experience has shown that any
laxity Of discipline or toleration Of law
lessness tends to Generalization.
An unseen but powerful influence has
operated to produce a disregard for the
rights of property. Unknown to them,
the press and people of the North minis
tered to the spirit of laWlessness by strict
ures upon commanders who caused rigid
enforcement of the Army Regulations,
while passing through a hostile country,
and many an officer, for his efforts to pre-
vent unauthorized seizure and wholesale
pillsge, has been stigmatiZed as a seces-
sion sympathizer."
A change has taken place, and the
standard Of discipline has been materially
elevated. Courts martial are a terror to
evil dOers; cases are disposed of in a start
lingly summary manner; and the proceed
ings are calculated to vindieate the majesty
Of the military law. a court has recently
closed its labors in this Division, of which
it may emphatically be said that Justice
was the presiding deity. Her shafts were
hurled at the pockets Of the officers and the
heads Of the men; and, under sentence of
the Solons of the court, the poll of many a
hardened offender becomes as guiltless of
hair as did that Of Sampson under the
hands of the crafty Delilah.
The 4th Division was reviewed a few
y 80 ~ Il
us an opportunity to look upon our new
leader. IloYe to study the countenances
Of great men, note their peculiarities, and
contrast the impressions produced by diff
ferent individuals under similar circum-
stances. Portraits, too, form an instruct
i've study, and I have thought that traits
Of character could be traced upon the shad-
owed form.
1 confess to liking for General Buell.,
and faith in his capacity that has not
been shaken by the clamors that have as,
sailed him clamors that are certain to
greet the unsuccessful But the troops
were mostly overjoyed at the change in
commanders, and were loud in their praise
of g. old Rosy" instituting comparisons by
no means favorable to the fallen victim Of
a military commission. 1t is natural to
worship the rising rather than the set
ting SUM-" was prepared to see in Gen
eral Rosecrans naughty, stiff, intensely
military man, whose exterior should cor
respond with the rigid and uncompromis-
ing nature Of his military policy, but was
disappointed in his genial and familiar
manner, which was calculated to excite
anything but awe or apprehension. The
Roman nose and massive brow betokened
intellect but saw nothing Of the calm
dignity and thoughtful manner Of Buell.
As he passed US, we listened for some sage
remark that should remind us of the his
tOric sayings Of Napoleon, or the stoical
calculations Of Wellington.
"Fighting," said he, lis trade. Three
things must be learned by all who would
practise it with success. First, the SOL
dier must learn to eat we'll; second, to
sleep well; and, third, to fight we'll. Fail
ing in the first two things, he gives out,
and soon falls to pieces, like an old shdekly
DagOn."
Before the review closed, every soldier
was ready TO testify to the literal truth Of
the Generals startling declaration.
A "merry Christmas" and g "happy
New Year" to our friends in the Buckeye
State. "
Yours, ow.HILLs.