Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-01-23
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.


From the 10th Regiment.
CAMpCLAY, LEXNGT W, KY,
January Sth 1862.
FRIENDS EsTML:-Twcnty-tw days have
passed since | last wrote you; during that time
we have passed from the peaceful state Of Ohio
to divided and unhappy Kentucky. On the
morning of the 18th ultimo, wcleft Camp Den.
nison, passed through Cincinnati, and arrived
at Covington about II O'Clock. At o'clock
the Regiment was invited to partako Of din
ner prepared for us by the citizens of Coving-
ton. This was the first of the many acts Of
kindness We have received at the hands OF the
generous and loyal hearted Kentuckians.-
At o'clock, =. NJ. we wclc again on the rail.
aud off we started for the home of ''IIarry OF
the West" the noble CLAY. Wearrivcd here
at 3 O'Clock a. NJ, laid in the cars till morn
ing; then marched through the city to what is
known as the Lexington Trotting Track, and
cncamped in the centre OF the circle. Our
Camp is is bounded on the North west by the
Lexington Fair grounds, on which is cncamp-
ed KentdcIly Regiment the only Regiment
at this point, except the 10TH On our South
is the tar-tamcd estate OF Henry Clay, known
by the name OF Ashland. 1t now ollords a
shelter for Henry Clay's degenerate and trai-
torous son, James b. Clay; who is nJw under
bonds to appear at Louisville, to answer a
charge of treason against the government his
father loved so much and worked so hard to
maintain, | will give you more detailed ac-
count of him and his associations in my next.
We are becoming somewhat acquainted
with Lexington, its people and its institutions.
1t war settled about the year 1889, and named
after the battle of LaXington. 1t is located in
the heart of the most beautiful and wealthy
part of the State. Its inhabitants number
eighty thousand of which three thousand are
negroes connected with that peculiar inStitu-
we read so much about. The population com
prses the masculine and feminine gender with
Il heavy admiXture of the ''wcnch''--a gen
der peculiarly applicable to these parts. The
wenchcs are of all shapes, sizes and cOlors
Their style ranges from the great, fat, greasy
turban headed cook to the trim waiting maid
whose gaudy and rich attire would put to shame
that OF half the ladies OF your goodIy town OF
MilcrSburg. TO see them strut the streets
you would think them fresh importation OF
royalty instead of slaves, over whom so many
crocodile tears are shed. Lost week being a
week OF freedom to the negroes was the time
to see them in their element. From Christmas
to New year is, in fact the negroes carnival;
week OF visiting, sprceing and general jollili-
cation. On Christmas night | Witnessed a
negro performance, at the house OF friend,
which if performed to nature would make a
/ fortune for Barnum, ,Artemus Ward or J onathan
/ q. Smith. Their queer antics and wild mclO-
dies must beseen and heard to be appreciated.
After playing for us they stared OIL to amuse
the neighbors. All they expect in return Tor
their performances is a little Refreshments" /"
We had quite an exciting time in camp on
last Monday evening and Tuesday morning
On Monday squad from our regiment ares
ted anOted scceSSionist who had been buying
mules for the Confederate army. He was pla.
ced under guard at the Broadway House.
1t was Tumored that Il rescue would be at
tempted. The Colonel took one company to
the city and brought the prisoner out to CAM
and then ordered the regiment to be ready iU
action at Il moments warning. Everything
was quiet until about halt past three O'Clock
when the Colonel ordered us to "tum ouL'' a
quickly and quietly as possible. | am prout
to say that our company was the first out b,
great odds, and that Capt. Spangler's was tn
second. Alter everything was made ready
three companies took charge of the prsone
and marched him about a mile below the De
pot. The other companies were posted so a
to admirably guard all approaches to the pris
oner, or to the Depot. Everything was al
ranged ior giving warm reception to any VIII
might Interfere with us; but no demonstration
was made. The prisoner was shipped to Gen
, buell., at Louisville. Just as day dawned w
) returned to camp. The whole transaction wa
ccolAuplshed so quietly and quickly that tn
ahehicky regiment, eucamped so c lose to us
dld not Know Of our absence from camp til al
, Ter our return, The quietness and alacrity o
our men on this occasion is worthy of all com
mendatlon, and hope they will ever derneal
themselves as well in the hour of danger.
christmas was beautiful day, and it pass