The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-12-19
Our Military Correspondence,
FROM THE FORTY SECOND REGIMENT

Army oil the MISSISSIPPI
EDITOR DEMOCRAT Since we left the
Kauawha valley, military duties have oc-
cuped my time, and have been obliged
10 neglect you fer tine and, to give
YOU an account OF our trip from Point
Pleasant to this place, uow, will seem out
OF date nevertheless, | shall take the lib
erty OF narraling some OF The most interest.
ing scenes and incidents pertaining to he
Mississippi In the first place, other
writer's have never travelled much, or else
have made gross exaggeraiions ia their
accounts OF the natural and artificial works
along this river. The more see Of the
forli6calons which have been CONSTRUCTED j
during this war, the more sm convinced
that one must see Cumberland Gap TO
see the strongest, both natural and ar,i.
6cial forl!icalions. When we were
there, we read with admiration Of lie
of the taking Of Island No. 10, and the
forts along The river, but, when we sec
them, these victories sink into nsignf
cance, when compared with that OF the
gallant Morgan. He took the strongest
position in America, without the loss Of q
single life. But, in few months, he lost
it, and for it be is 10 be called 10 account;
but by this examination the Generals
ability as General, will be more thor.
oughly subsianualed.
We sailed only by day. and had an ex.
Cellens opportunity for seeing all that is TO
be seen. Cairo is built on fiat ground,
and presents dirty, dingy appearance -
We anchored out ia the s'ream here, Tor n
few hours. None but officers went ashore.
Several gunboats and nock OF mortar
boats were here. The mortar boats are
singular in appearance, and one would
suppose them to be anything but wal
boats. They are built square, with
oil the sides incIining in. The sde'
are, should judge, four feet high, and
iion clad. pole is erected in the center
over which a cavass is stretched, SO that
it forms floating tent These boats are
lowed from place 10 place by slean: tugs
and, at distance, they appear much Ike
n flock Of ducks. The gunbosts are o
90 msny different builds that it would no
be practicable to describe them ; but they
all present very ugly appearance, es
pecaIly when the portfolios are open
and The guns protrude from them.
Tho water Of the Ohio is beautifully c,oar
while that Of the Mississippi is muddy, md
for at lUast / milo the waror of tho Ono
appears to refuse to mix, for one half seeRt
80 be clear and the other half dark.
Nothing Of iujeres: appeared until VIC
got to Forts Wright. Randolph, No. 10 anc
F.. Pillow, except Columbus, which is quit,
strongly fortified. Tho forts mount u dozor
or moro heavy guns. All the forts mon
tionod above are nsw in ruins. Tho works
at Ft wright appear 10 have been of eartt
faced with stone, but they wero light; snc
The marks of our gunbosts arc still TO bt
seen. No. 10 isa complete humbug; no,
an earth work was to bo seen, and. bad II
not been for tow old SeceSh guns lying
upon its banks, one would not have sup
posed il had over boen military post
The island is quite largo. and. ~ero it no'
for It's being overflowcd often, II would
mako ine farm for some enterprisnf
young Blennerhassett.
Our stay here has been short, but negroe
throng our camp daily. They nre willing
to work without compensation except boarc
and Clothes. thoy can only go North whcr'
VIC 90, aud be free. An old mNn called viii
his two sous few days since, and Wishct
TO get places Tor hlmsei ana lhe uoys'
inunrod into hin history Hn said his mastc
was n rebol, md had a son IN the Q. ser'
ice. Tho mIstcr had recently sold h
wifo, leaving his family of small childre
motherless. Then. for very tritling otfcnc
no had beaten tho life almost out of b
little daughter. Ho could not endure NOR
60, one dark, stormy night, ho took his boy
(ono 10, the other l3 years oId) and eau
TO tho camp for shoIter from this nend
human form, If he comes here o recai
bis property, assure you he will fare !
for the 42d will be after him.
Although Rebel bands try to preVer
tho people bring in loads of cotton, and,
our forces advance, thiuk more will
exposed for sale. Tho weather. is decided
cold, ground froze hard every uight
Respectfully, j o. r.