Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-01-02

FAYETTEVILLE, FAyETTE Co., VA. |
~ m JErI

FAYETTEVILLE, FAYETTE CO., VA.
December 20, 1861.
MEssRs. ESrIIL But little or, | may say, moth
ing has occurred within the past five or six weeks
with us that would render letter at all interest.
lug to the majority of readers. The kind of liter
ature most sought for is that which relates to
marches and cOuntcrmarches, of hardships and
privations, and of he advancement of our troops
The change of seasons brings winter regularly
and it cannot be cXpcc cd that the same activity
will pervade the troops and their actions as during
the past campaign. The fact is a well established
one that we remain in this inhospablc back
woods the ensuing year, We have already made
every preparation for staying, and and must do
Fayetteville, or her abscOnded inhabitants, the
credit of one thing furnishing the soldiers of the
Sd Brigade with comfortable quarters, at cost
Of but a slight effort on the part of the latter par
ty. True it is, we have not the accommodations
that we were wont to have at home. but rs we are
it will be infinitely more pleasant and comfortable
than to shiver through the winter under thin
canvass tent, as do not doubt many of our vol
untccrs will be compelled to do. But the Sd Brig
ade is safe not only from the biting trosts of old
Boreas, but from any visits of Mr.. Floyd, late Of
the IT, S. Treasury. The fact is, the individual
referred to is not in the habit of paying such Wis
its, but always retires upon our pproach-whcthcr
from extreme modcsty | cannot say ; but most
probably n philosophical view will explain the
whole matter he wei! knowing that two elements
Of antagonistc natures cannot exist in the same
place, prudently wthdraws to prevent collision.
In order to make myself understood, should
explain something about the Sd Provisional Brig.
ade, as it is called. 1t is composed Of the 23d
26th and part of the 9Th o. V. regiments, and q
company of the lst Ohio Artillery. Until recent
iv, the brigade was under the command Of Brig
Gen. Schneck, but that officer now being absent,
Col, Scammon, the senior officer, assumes com
mand for the time being.
We have now been here five weeks, have fitted
up our quarters, aud systemati2ed things with the
intention of remaining here all winter, However,
time will drag somewhat heavily, for nothing
suits the majority Of soldiers better than activity,
if not too much of it, But then, here we are
a couple of thousand men, perhaps, forming alto
gethcr one.sdcd community, separated from the
endearmCnS and associations of home, and moth.
inr to recall them to our remembrance but our
own thoughts aud rccollectons, for | assure you
that however pleasant and peaceful n community
this might have been in days gone by, it now torn
to pieces, and nothing exists except the name ;
and the same may be said of a thousand other
} neighbovhoods in this State. The location OF the
village is pleasant, and, with one or two eXccp-
tions, consider this the prettiest part of Virginia
} have seen farms which appeared to be tolcraby
} well cultivated, and most of the dwellings arc
com Portable good sized cdiices, We see citizens
J every day in town, probably dsposing of somC
} struck" for which they gladly take in exchange
J coffee and salt at exhorbant prices They CONT
from l5 to 90 miles sometimes, and, as far as
y have en-, am not prepossessed in their favor
y large number have taken the "oath" sine
y we came here, but which, in most cases, is only
y plan to serve against us and escape the vengeanc
y Of the law for if some of them had their de,
u u erts it would be at the ropes end The want {
u evidence probably allows them to go unpunlshet
We have commenced fortfying our present pc
u stlon, although no attack or hostile demOnsr'
tions, as far as | can learn, are seriously apprt
!, . hended. Earthworks to the heighth of eight {
y y nine feet have been thrown up, and believe tn
construction Of sort Of fort will soon be in prC
y gress.
n The weather for the past two weeks has bee
n very favorable. We have had no snow of an
n consequence, and very little cold weather.
n The health of the troops here is good. Sine
n we came here two have died. one from the %
n n and one from the Goth.
n But must close. Hoping to hear from 20
u frequently, remain
y Yours, &c,
y CHARLES HAY.
Company II, 23d Regiment o. V. U, 8.