The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-01-31
,ur Military Correspondence.
FROM KENTUCKY.
CAMP THOMAS. on Rolling Fork, KY,
Near New Haven, Jan. 18th. '62.

| NAMf ihoMAS, Oh hOiilng fopH, n.y.,
Il Near New Haven, Jau 18th, '62.
i FRIEND CONVERSE IL have no doubt tha
your readers arc anxious to hear from tb,
scat OF war, and, as you arc always ready Il
cator 20 thoir wants when oppGrtunit,
offers, | will assist you ,by few ''notes anc
jots by tho waysido." But, if your readori
expect any "ealant exploits" "skrmishet
against odds, or chair. breath escapes" the,
will bo disappointed. will a "talo unfold
OF how things look in this section.
am connected with tho 2d Cavalry, 4lst
Regiment OF Indiana Volunteers. command
I'D by Col. Jno. A. Bridgland We crossed
the Ohio River on New Years Day, aud
have been marching at slow stages to this
place, arriving hore last night. Wu arc
about five miles below New Haven and
sixty five miles below Louisville. At Bprds.
town, the head quarters of Gen. Wood, VIC
passed. the 6ith aud Goth Ohio Regiments
They had been down near this division, aud
wero returning TO go to SOmesot, near
Cumberland Gap. These and one Rogi.
mont of Ohio Cavalry are all the troops from
/ your State have seen. but learn that sew.
cral are encanped below here, some eight
or ten miles.
Last night, when VIC arrived. wo campod
on beautiful valley completely surrounded
bv high hills, and near a branch ot<Roiling
Fork. About midnight. we wore visited b '
ono OF the most terrific thunder storms |
ever witnessed. 1t seemed MS il tho hills
woro in ono bluzo, aud tho rain fell in tor
rents,and this morning our tents were from
three to eight inches deop with water, and
tho stream had ovei flowed its banks, Tho
mon took to their spades and picks, and.
by ditching soon relieved us of tho water,
but not tho mud. 70 obviate this, we went
to tho hills. and cut cedar boughs and
spread down in tho tents. and tbon hauled
saw-dust from n neighboring mill, and to.
night we are quite comfortable in tho tents.
but outside IL is almost impossible for us to
move, our horses standing six inches deop in
mud.
We arc now attached to Gen. Nelson's
Brigade, which is composed of l9,h Rcgi.
mont of Infantry. I'd of Cavalry, and two
batteries Of Artillery. all of which are boing
put in fighting order, as il is expected to
mako an advance movement before many
days. Il am unable to say. at this time, |
where or when the attack will be made. or
who will bo engaged. but am confident that
tins Regiment is expected to take part.
Since | camo to the State, have had fre.
quont opportunity of conversing with the
people of tho State on the subject coanectcd
with the Rebellion, and was surprised TO
find so many diflident as to tho result -
Thoy say that thoy have twice turned out
aud voted to sustain tho Government. and
have been abused for it by the Northern
people, and thoy will now allow them to do |
thoir own fighting. Although this State hus
dono well in furnishing troops, vet it is
hard to ralso more, as tho recent action in !
Congress in reference to disposal of slaves,
mas sourcd good many good Union men
L was conversing the other day, with n man |
who formerly occupied scat in the Lcgis.
lature, and ho said that, unloss M Harlan
could induce the House of Representative
to lot tho Slavery question entirely alone,
no would reeign, and a majorty Of tho people |
of tho State would go in with the Southern
Contederacy. Tho people here say; "Let
slaves be governed by the same rules that
govern other property" They say: "lf
you are marching. you use the horses, cattle.
corn and hay Of tho onomy Tor tho uso of
tho army, and, If they arc not needed, YOU
lot them alone. Do the same with the
slaves. If you can uso ihom prnfitably, do |
SO If not, lot them take care of themselves. |
and, ii they escape. IL is none of your busi-
ness and the Government Is not responsj- |
bio for their liberation" So fa~, Mai Gen.
Bueil has refused to have anything to do |
with slaves. although hundreds nave beon
sont to our camps by Union mon for safety.
and tho General allows them to be hired by |
tho officers and soldiers as cooks, but he is !
not responsible for their safety. and cOmpels |
thcm to como under tho strict rules Of tho !
camp, and not pass tho lines without a
writton pass under tho responsibility OF the
employer.
know from what I have secn since | !
came to tho State, that Northern Aboli- |
tionists arc doing as much to givo argument
to Southern recruiting officers. ms any acts
of tho Southern Congress. This may not
bo believed by many of your readers, yet it
is nevertheless true.
To morrow wo are to move. and rumor
saws that our next camp will be within two
miles of the enemy's pickets, We hope it
Is true. for we are tired of playing soldier,
and want n little dctiUe sorvico
II should como near anv of your troops,
| will write you again. Yours truly.
W. G. McGONIGAL. |