Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-04-17
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
From capt. Drake's Company.

an ofiliction under which soldiers labor, but
am happy to say it is not dangerous. AL.
though "Old Sol" casts down his binding
rays clear and unobscured, suggestive enough
Of lazness and loaing, yet tho air is so de-
liciously cool as to vyiy and animate, and
cause sufficient exercise as TO insure healthy
circulation.
! The prisoners mentioned in my last as hay
| ing been taken by scouting party, consist
ing of portions of Companys ii, | and B,
were sent of under guard on the Goth ult.,
and are probably now incarceratcd in some
one of Uncle Sans commodius boarding
houses, and being fed at that old gentlcman's
expense. Since that time other parties have
been out scouting with varied success, seldom
failing to make a haul, greater or less. Day
before yesterday twelve bushwhackcrs were sent
off in care Of Uncle Sam. Among them was
one Capt. Taylor, commanding a company Of
militia in that county. At the time of his
capture he was already prepared to leave
homo and join his company near Lewisburg,
but the presence of the Yankees induced him
to turn his steps in a contrary direction,
Three companies are now absent somewhere
scouting, and another is awaiting orders with
probability of leaving in the course of day.
The natural result of these scouts is, flock
ing in of the remaining citizens to "takc the
oath,'' and during the past three weeks the
Provost Marshal (Capt. Drakc) has been liter
ally besieged with applications for passes, and
with citizens to "take the oath" Will they
bear 'true faith and allegiance" )" and are they
sincere, ale questions which require time to
answer. Oh, that they "hod fast to their in e
tegrity and not let it CO." l doubt their sim
certy, that is, of greater part of the citi
zens, for | know they lack stability of pur-
pose that their actions, in great measure
are influenced by leaders, and some of their
actions, during the present rebellion, have
been to gain private end, such as to save
property, without regarding the means EN-
ployed.
Not one fourth of those who have been
sworn can write their names. Ignorance and
mental poverty are so Enthusiastically written
uopn their features that the most obtuse can
not fail observe it, and, with their uncouth
garb, they present an unusual appearance to
to those who have been accustomed to see
and associate with the genuine man.
Bear in mind these are men who are sup
posed to have arrived at the age of maturity
and do not include all ages, but they are
very fair representation Of the pcople'at large.
Surely, here is field of labor for teachers
and missionaries, and it would be a christian
act to supply the home demand before ex-
porting across the ''briny deep"
Pursuant to a call made by the Adj't Gen.
Of this Militia District, quite number of cit
izens met here on Wednesday last for the pur-
pose OF organizing the militia. The result of
their convention l have not learned, but be-
lieve some three or four companies were Or
gonzcd and oflcered. l presume the inten-
ton is to let Western Virginia take care of it.
self after the army advances southwark, as
presume it will at no distant day. 1t can be
done easily enough, if those who profess 10y
atty will but make their profession good when
necessity requires it. Will it be done ? is the
question. Less than year ago the militia
was called out at this place to s'protect their
homes from Northern radicals, hired by the
Lincoln Cove rnment. Many Of those who
were then members of the militia are again
with them, but for contrary purposes than
formerly. May they be faithful and determin-
ed and stick to the Union horn of the dilem-
ma. And l am happy to record that there are
an "honorable few" who, through all the vi
cissitudcs consequent upon warfare on dis
puted territory, have remained faithful and
true to the last, who have not espoused pro-
fessediy loathsome cause through fear, or for
private purposes; but who ''have been weigh
ed and not found wanting"
An election was held here yesterday to vote
upon the new State and Constitution. The
result of the balloting have not learned, nor
do know anything about the nature of the
new Government. l und erstand however,
that there is in the new Constitution pro-
vision for the gradual emancipation of slaves
ry. II the people are favarable to such, be-
lieve it would be better for them, for slavery
is in no wise profitable in Western Virginia.
But let the people render the decision fol-
| themselves.
mentioned Gen. Beckley in former let
ter as having returned from the Southern
army, He was arrested to-day, after an in
teryal of some two or three weeks, during
which time he was allowed the liberty of the
country, and | suppose had favorable oppor-
tunities to communicate with the enemy for
the general opinion is that he is not too good
for that. What charges are preferred against
him cannot state. He will be sent to Wheel
ing tomorrow under guard.
The Paymaster has been with us lately, and
on April FOOLS day paid off the troops at this
place up to Feb. 28th. A majority of the
boys sent their money home with those who
accompanied the prisoners. Captain Drake
went to Gallipollis to send Company HIS
money by express. Altogether, it is believed
the 23d regiment sent over 100000 to Ohio.
How soon we will move is not known but
expected soon.
Hoping my mex. may be from further down
in Dixie, remain Yours, &C.,
CHARLES HAY.
COMMERCIAL.