Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-07-24
Army Cerrespondence.
For the Gallipolis Journal.
CAMP MrHALorzr, Tenn, !
June 99th, 1869. T

1 OAAF mlhALOTLfs leuu.,
June 99th, 1869.
Ms. HARPER:
DEAR SIR:-It has been long tin
since, wrote to you; so long, that
letter from, me now will no doubt su
prise yous II was my intention to dro
you q short letter every once in a Will,
but the amount of labor l have had |
perform in the midst of an active can
paign, and the fact that I have bee
alone, and unassisted, in the medic'
department of the Regiment for NOR
than two months past, must be NJ
apology for SO long silence.
To give you an idea Of the amount Q
work done by our regiment and ou
brigade, I will write brief history o
our movements during the last thirt,
days. On the 30th day Of May, ou
quiet rest, in the beautiful town o
Athens, Ala, was disturbed by al
order to March. The evening of tht
3lst found US at Fayetteville, Tenn.
where we rejoined our brigade, and
where your correspondent first received
information of his fathers decease.-
The morning of the End Of June found
the 9th brigade moving in the direction
of Chattanooga. Our route was almost
direct course by the way Of Winches-
ter and Jasper, crossing two ranges ol
the Cumberland mountains. On we
moved about twenty miles day, un-
der burning sun, and in a suffocating
dust--through valleys and over noun
tains for six days.
The afternoon OF the 7th of June,
found us, in connection with consider
able force, under General Neagley, on
the banks of the Tennessee, opposite
to Chattanooga, engaged in the lsudable
and interesting business of Smelling the
enemy on the opposite bank Of the river;
while about one thousand Of our
sharp-shooters were thrown down to
the brink Of the river, where they did
excellent work picking of artillerymen
and others, who were reckless enough
to expose themselves to our sharp-eyed
monsters. This business was INDUCED
in until night drew about us her sable
curtains, hiding our enemy from view.
We were now ordered into camp for the
night, and we slept uuder the impress
sion that we would renew the fight
early in the morning. You can well
imagine our surprise and chagrin, when
l tell you that in the morning we were
told that the object oI the expedition
was accomplished, and we were to re-
turn at once over the mountains by the
very same route we had so lately trav-
elled. Worn out with fatigue, foot
sore, sleepy and disappointed-we took
up our weary line Of march, returning
by the same route we went, as far as
Jasper. From there We went to Steven
son and on to Bellefonte, Ala, where
we rested two days; at the expiration
Of which time, our regiment and the
18th Illinois took the cars for Hunts
vile. From here, our regiment alone
marched back to Fayetteville, Tenn.,-
getting back to cur camp June 18th,
after an absence of fifteen days, and a
march of two hundred and fifty miles.
l think this march is unparalleled in
the history Of this war. You will recol-
Iect that we took with US a battery of
artillery, and crossed two ranges of
mountains, each fifteen hundred feet
abave the level Of the Tennessee river.
In order to ascend these mountains at
all, it was necessary to unload the cais-
sons of ammunition, and detail all the
men that could possibly get hold Of a
wagon, to its assistance; and then with
whooping, lifting, rolling and whipping
horses, up they would go few feet at
a time. But we crossed and rs-crossed
these mountains by diut of hard
work and the sacrifice Of many valu-
able horses, belonging to the splendid
battery of Captain Edgarton's Artillery.
Our team horses also were badly used
up.
The fight at Chattanooga was spirit
ed affair while it lasted. 1 had the
satisfaction of knowing how one feels
while cannon balls are flying over his
head. humping against trees under
which he stands, and rolling on the
ground in uncomfortable proximity to
his feet. Our brigade lost two men
killed, and ten wounded. No one
seems to understand the movement
But we have the satisfaction Of knowing
that our commander (Gen. Neagley,
told us that we had accomplished the
object of the expedition" 1 suppose
the object was to draw of The forces
from Cumberland gap to Chatanooga'
This, no doubt, was accomplished by
our demonstration on that place.
After returning to Fayetteville, our
regiment had a terrible engagement
with the Pay-master. We charged
his front, hanked him right and left
and continued our engagement with
him until be "sh.lled out" about seven
ty-five thousand dollars, which we re.
ceived as FIVE months pay. The State
agent, Mr.. W. N. Williams. was OF
hand ready to receipt for our money,
and carry 1t for US to Ohio. These
receipts are checks on our respective
county Treasures.
Our boys sent home nearly all the
money they received; not less at any
rate than fifty thousand dollars. OuI
regiment continued its stay in the mic,