Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-02-05
From Burrows Battery.

: rem papers concerning US. In view OF tn
I fact that we have siXty-fiye Trumbull c.
bows in this command. and the stron
probability of our soon being in active Sc
vice, propose writing for your paper o,
casionally and thus keep their numerou
. friends posted in regard to them.
The first three months OF our soldie
life was passed in Cleveland, the time bt
ing about equally divided between the tw
Camps, one on University Heights, and tn
other on the old site of Camp Taylor, eac
known as Camp Wade. During our eli
forced stay at this last named locality, W
were subject to greater privations and di:
, comforts than at any other time since on
enlistment. Repeatedly whole compan
les were wrought up to such pitch of in
dignation, by reason of insufficient shelte
and continued exposure, that only boil
spirit was wanting to give direction to tn
chaotic, turbulent elements of dissatisfac
ton to have brought about general dis
! banding of the Regiment.
IN, our arrival here we were at first quar-
tered in shanties, fourteen feet by twenty
one in each of which a squad of abou
twenty-five were donflelled., As thes'
shells were unprovidett win stoves oul
first week. in which we ,terleilced mos
inclement weather, was passed N a nlos
! comfortless manner, when, despairIL.ns o
exciting Governmental compassion, We
managed, somehow, by the combined in
fuence of contribution, taxation and cred
it, to procure stoves for ourselves most
difficult financial feat in the then impov-
erished state of our resources.
After residing in the shanties from Nov.
Goth to Dec. 18th, we removed to our pres
ent Barracks. These are buildings twen-
ty-five feet wide, eighteen in height. and
one hundred and twenty in length, fitted
with two stoves and nearly a hundred
hunks each. The hunks are so many
drawers, seven feet long. four wide. and
six inches deep, and slide into scantling
uprights. Being made of soft pine, they
afford a luxurious couch in which the
drowzy god is not wooed in vain
The kitchen is small square building
in the rear, furnished with Shanghai
stove of eight holes. and supposed to be
competent for the cooking of whole COM
pany. The tables are, in most cases out
doors. In this manner we have eaten since
our first introduction to camp life last Au-
gust.
a square building of twenty by twenty
on the right of each Barracks, having two
rooms, is as sacred to the officers as an ed
itor's sanctum, and has its sanctity about
as much respected.
Life in barracks presents many curious
phases, varying, of course, with the value
of its successive occupants. With our bat
terry time has passed, on the whole, most
agreeably and pleasantly. Various meth
DDS have been resorted to at times to add
to our enjoyment Debating clubs and
dancing have had the most favor, and
nothing but the presence of ladies has been
lacking to render them seasons of unal-
loyed bliss. Though wholly deprived OF
female society, the number of white mis-
sives bearing superscriptions written in
delicate feminine characters, that are dali
" borne to US by the mail, shows plainly
that we are by no means forgotten. More
substantial favors of the Picnic order oc-
,assionally reach us by the hands of some |
returning furloughed soldier. The writer |
would hereby again return thanks TO those |
Of the Champion ladies who have favored |
their delegates with a second donation Of |
extras"
One of the most pleasing incidents that |
mas occurred thus fr in our military life |
vas the Sword Presentation to Capt Bur- |
'ows, on New Years day. The Captain. !
IN performing his usual duty of inspecting
he Barracks, on approaching to the front
loor, was confronted by the 18th and 18th
Batteries, drawn up in the form of hol-
ow square, and had scarce time to ask an
explanation, when private King, advanc-
ne with the sword in his hand thus adj
lressed him:
CAPT. BURROWS The members of the
4th Battery, through a committee of pri-
-ates, representing the different detach-
nents, have charged me with the pleas
ng duty of presenting you with this sub
tantlal token of their esteem for you as
n Oficer-their love for you as a Man.
From the time that the sword of the
ord and Of Gideon routed the heathen
lations of antiquity, to-the present day,
he sword has been the chosen emblem of
7ar and dominion in every age and cline
o Its dread power every nation has ap-
ealed that has ever attained real great
eSs.
1T was fabled in the myths of Greece
hat whoever united the Gordian knot
hould attain the mastery of the world
or years 1t baffied the wisdom of man.
ind, but was practically solved by Alex
nder the Great who severed the knot
18th his sword-became the conqueror of
le world and gave his name to Immor- ,
llity.
"Slauery is our Gordian knot. whose COM
lexity legislation and diplomacy having :
linly striven to unravel, the way is nos0 !.
pen to sever 1t with the S1Oord, thus plac- ;
g our own loved land at the head of :
orid greater and more glorious than ever z
led the vision even Of an Alexander. !
THE present struggle in which Free =
I'm is to be secured, is a fitting counter :,
Irt of that Revolutionary struggle in !,
hich Freedom was won. Lexington and :
lnker Hill have counterpart in Big =
ethel and Bull Run, which, like them, :,
e but preludes to a second Saratoga and :
orktown. In those glorious struggles :,
ID triumphs we hope to bear with you :, :
honored and important part. May the =
ord we present you this day, like the :;
nlte plume of Navarro, or the sword of =, "
urat, ever be found at the head of the =
tumn the sure token of success. = =
REST assured that the brave men under y
ur command viii ever be proud to press n
wherever this sword may point the way. =. !!
! the CORY held whery Glory is won, Vic :. u
~ achieved and Freedom secured and q
at Heaven may return you unharmed "
I'm the strife, to friends and home. win lie
er be our earnest prayer TO God" w
Capt. Burrows completely taken by sur w
ise, accepted the Sabre, beautiful blade "
Ames' manufacture, and with a voice
traying deep emotion, thus responded - -
II see I am doomed to Be zzartsr You ST
! determined to put me under obli1o- vq
ms which | can never express. You 10
y choke my utterance. and fill my eyes "
tn tears, but words can never express oc