Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-07-03
From the 49th Ohio.
FLoREScE, Ala June 18th, 1862.
MARCH FROM CoRNTH MISSISSIPPI TO FLOR

FLORENCE, ALA, June 18th, 1867.
MARCH FROM ooRIyTH MISSISSIPPI TO FLOR
EScE, ALA.
On the 10Th day Of June 1862 we left
Corintb, the scene of so much strategy,
expectation, hope and triumph. Our course
was eastward along the line Of the Mem
Phis and Charleston Railroad, which
soon took Us into the State Of Alabama,
said to be the wealthiest Of all the States
in proportion to population
The only place in Mississippi that has to
Us a home-ike appearance is Iuka, cele-
brated watering place not far from the
State line. It has been extensively pat
roniEed for three or four years past there
being as high as three thousand persons
in one season seeking health and pleasure.
There are twelve beautiful springs giving
forth plentifully FIVE different kinds of
water, possessed Of great medical virtue.
There are fine hotels, numerous bath
houses, bowling saloons, &C., all Of which
being painted white, gives the appearance
Of great taste and beauty.
THE COUNTRY.
That portion of the State between Cor
inth and the river is very poor, having poor
timber, poor soil, poor cattle, poor crops,
poor negroes and poorer whites. Soon
after entering Alabama, there is a marked
change in the physical appearance of the
country. Here you see the wide spread
plantation Of the real Southerner, while
his stately mansion, and swarthy sturdy
negroes impress you with the fact that you
are in the very heart Of "Dixie.n One Of
these grand plantations, passed in our
march, is owned by a Col. Dixon, now
General in the rebel army, His residence
Is worthy Of a " Lord Of the Union. and
should not be polluted by the unholy tread
of q traitor, and 1 hope his thousands of
acres and one hundred slaves viii in some
way be made to contribute towards paying
The expenses Of this internal rebellion.
Col. Fife, Of the 26th Ohio, with his
Command camped one night, on the posses
SONS Of this rebel chief, much to the vex-
ation Of his better half The Colonel, as
o true gentleman, called on her ladyship,
Ct which she called up her blacks, and
pointing to the white servants Of our men,
exclaimed, "them are the Yankees, now if
YOU want to 90 with them, leave at once
As none Of them started, she turned to
Col. F. and said haughtily, "There, don't
YOU see that cur servants hate you As
the Colonel turned to ride away two or
three Of the slaves slipped up behind him
snd said "Massa, Misses lied to you; we
% want to be Free" I need not tell you
what farther passed, only that Col. F. did
rot take any negroes away with him, and
ret there are not as many slaves on that
plantation now as there used to be. II is
Nonsense to say they do not desire the
blessings Of liberty. They pant for free
dom wherever you meet them. In hand
Ing this delicate question as connected
With the army, the policy Of the Admins
ration commends itself to every intelligent
unbiased mind.
THE CROPS.
We saw but little cotton growing; but
arge quantities Of last years crop still re-
main in the country, so that whenever
commerce resumes its wonted channels it
will find its way to market The crushed
and injured inhabitants with great uni
formity have obeyed the mandates of the
rebel leaders in planting large quantities
lf corn, beans, potatoes, SC. The fields Of
Iornt we saw would compare favorably
with those Of Illinois and other Western
States. Wheat and oats are an utter
failure.
VILLAGES.
Tuseumbia and Florence, both in this
State, are delightful towns. The former
is celebrated for its magnificent spring,
from which flows q large stream Of pure
cold water. The stream is about sixty feet
wide, and viii average one foot in depth.
Here is also the great "Tuscumbia Race
Course" with its costly stables, resembling
'paldees," its gateway that would Odorn the
grounds Of a British lord. Here, too, are
many private residences that would not
mar the beauty Of your own Incompatible
Euclid. From none Of these PulatidL homes
did the soldiers Of the Union receive hearty
l7sleomes, but we were not opposed mol
frowned upon, and we believe time will
make all things right. -t.,l
Florence is q stirring, active business
place on the north bank Of the Tennessee
two hundred and eighty miles from it,
mouth. It boasts Of having the lArges
Cotton Factory in the South, giving EN-
ployment to one thousand hands, all o
whom are whites. 1t has been doing wori
for the so-called Confederate Government
and is in operation now, but not for thI
benefit Of that disgraced and ruined con
cern.
OUR WHEREABOUTS.
At this writing we are biyouaeing OIL
the south side Of the old Tennessee, nea
the spot Gen. Jackson crossed with hi
army on the way to New Orleans. Tn
place is known as the Military Ferry
Here the Tuscumbia branch of the Mem
phis & Charleston Railroad crosses tn
river, and here eighteen or twenty tall
silent stone columns tell Us the rebel van
dals have been here before US. The bridg
that once rested on them was destroyed B,
Helm Of Kentucky, with his gang. d
will be remembered as the son Of EX-6oV
Helm Of the same State. When our gun
boats visited Florence, after the reduction
Of Fort Henry, Lieut.. GWinn was asked b,
the citizens If he intended to destroy th
bridge. He replied, q Certainly not ther
Is no military necessity. for it, Il wa
constructed with 9 double track, so ths
the inhabitants could cross with wagon
and on foot, at win, and as their churches
schools, stores and mills were all on th
north side, its value TO the country was il
caleulabie Many Of the people shed teal
Is they saw the flames consume it.
WHERE WE ARE eoINo.
Thst Is q mystery yeUg VeETesPQsdsl