Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-02-06


letter from Wheeling boy in one of the
Ohio Regiments, which reads exceeding
ly well, and which, we take it, was written
by that excellent fellow and good soldier,
Mr.. James Tiernan, of Capt. Poorman's S
company. 1t is dated Camp Andrews,
Mt Vernon, o., Jan %, 1902" and is as
follows:
Having a small amount Of time to spare
from my duties as u soldier, will employ it
in writing you few lines. Contrary to the
expectation and general wish of this regi-
ment, we are yet encamped at this place.
We received marching orders on the lth of
this month. to leave on the 9Th for Romncy.
All was excitement. Those who were mop.
ing about camp on the sick list, suddenly
forgot their ills, and every one was in the
best of spirits, not only ready and willing,
1 but eager to go. But, alas before the 18th
arrived, it had all vanished. The fine spirits
of the boys soon evaporated, when it be-
came known that the order had been coun-
termanded, or indefinitely postponed.
You have probably seen an article, or
rather letter, going the rounds of the
press, purporting to have been written by a
soldier Of this regiment, to a brother in
Western Virginia. undertaking to ridiculo
the officers Of the 43d Regiment, and the
men generally, calling us the Mt Vernon
Home Guards, the Pet Regiment, and such
other names, and intimatng that we were
doing no good for ourselves or the Govern
ment. To answer those charges, if strict
discipline and severe drill, in order to perfect
ourselves as soldiers. so that when we come
on the field of battle, we will be well drilled
and disciplined body of men, capable Of
being welded and man9uvered to advan-
| tagc, instead Of an unwieldy mob, is idling
our time, there has been great deal OF
, time foo,ishly spent oil over the world.
think this knowing gentleman should have
patent right for his idea if for no other
reason, 50 that no one else could use il with
out throwing themselves liable to suit for
Infringement. One reason of this attack is,
Col. Smith has not employed his time around
bar-room fires, discussing the merits of
! brandy and cigars, but is all the time with
/, the regiment, or at Columbus on business
for our benefit, consequently wo have the
best equipped regiment, and is fast ap-
) proachlng to the best drilled of any in the
State. We have received our arms (Enficld
: rifies), and the men are putting in several
r hours each day learning the proper use Of
them, The Colonel ut the same time drills
Q the officers in the manual Of arms each Of
Y ficer at the call for drill shoulders rifle aud
/ starts out to officers drill At night they
: must attend the officers school, where he
( next day ON battalion drill they must prac-
i tice it. He will not excuse an officer any
s more than private, without the Surgeon s
n certificate that he is unit for duty. The
e health Of the regiment is very good-cases
Q Of severe illness being very rare. Colds
d and measles are all the diseases we are
afflicted with. Our company is progressing
finely. We have nnety-two men in camp,
t and our first Lieutenant, ID. II. Williams,
a Of ST. Clairsville, will be here on Monday
n with the men to fill our company. Belmont
! county has furnished two crack companies
] for this regiment, and she may we'll be
proud of her interest in it. Company A,
T Capt. Spangler, is of that county. 1t was
r raised at Bellaire. The men are from Bell
l aire, Bridgeport and Martinsvlle. 1t is Q
fine body Of men, well oficered, and vel
h drilled. The Majorship Of the regiment
8 has, | believe, after some trouble, been dis
g posed of. Lieut. +. w. Herrick isnow oui
$ Major. He was formerly our Quartermas
Q ter. If he performs the duties of his new
j. position as well as he did in the old ono, We
!, will have competent man for Major
o Capt. IOOrMan, as all tnat knew nlih pre-
: dicted, will make splendid officer, having
!. far outstripped many officers in learning the
d drill who have boen in the service tor five
l. or six months.
n The news from the fight in Kentucky
IS where Zolliooffor was routed and killed, ha,
o put the fight into the boys and they want t
o be up and doing. The contraction cf oul
e lines and the position Of our forces all go t
" show that work is about to begin in earnest
- and they are afraid they will not be in tim,
20 to help finish up the rebellion, but If W,
J. cannot help we bid those who do God spec,
and abundant success.
b The Colonel has been waking sat l:
Il o'clock at night to the music Of the lonJ
{ roll aud forming US in line of battle on th,
}; parade ground. The quick sharp tones o
L tho Colonel, the stern low tones Of the com
j. pany officers, and the regular silent tram
Of the men all sound warliko, and If battl,
j. anything resembles that, man must be
Q poor soldier indeed who could not enter int
o the spirit Of such scene without fear.
o One death has occurred in the Regimen
4 since our arrival at camp. Private Hollis, o
u Co. A, died on last Thursday Of Pleurisy
u lie lived at Columbus.
It The thanks Of Co. ID are due to the peo
4 pie Of Belmont for favors received at theil
D hands ia the shape OF socks, mittsns, needl
n books and eatabIes, oil Of which arc ver,
Q acceptable. t..