Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-25
From the 4Ist Reeiment.

J. CAMP NEAR IUKA, Miss, June l6,
EDs. LEADER "A short communication
from this portion Of the army may be ac-
ceptable. Since my last, this Division. has
experienced all the startling realities of
actual service. Long marches, sharp skir-
mishes, and hOtly contested battles, have
taken the place of duh camp life.
There is strange charm in the post of
danger. Sailors, it is said, learn to love
the storm. The tenant Of the swinging
hammock sinks to rest, experiencing a
feeling Of comfort, Iulled by the sound of
gurgling waters and tapping sails Civ
ilizatiOn could never lure the aged Boone
from his rude cabin life and forest haunts,
How many of the present generation have
listened to q old settlers" as they recount
ed the joys Of the good old time when
they were dwellers in the wilderness
well remember the mournful scene in
Cooper's novel of the pioneer, where Old
Leather Stocking refuses a home with
those he had befriended, and even in his
dotage, turns his face toward the setting
sun to seek grave upon the prairies Of
the west
The temperature, at this writing, admon-
ishes me that we must be in the land Of
cotton. Our camp is nearthe line between
Mississippi and Alabama. To Us North
erners the sun has gained an uncommon
altitude and the North Star has suffered
corresponding depression. Our sojourn
here has convinced us that no damage is to
be apprehended from frost in the Gulf
States in the month of June If 1 ever
serviEe the perils Of war, it will be my
first. care to locate permanently in Lapland,
Labrador, or some region contiguous to
the North pole.
This country is suffering severely from
drought. The Spring crops we're almost a
total failure, and the growing corn is al
ready suffering. have looked in vain for
a cloud the size Of mans hand-the
omen that cheered the prophet in ancient
days The mournful Hwhir-r" Of the
night bird, the song Of BhipporwiIls in the
neighbOring marshes, and the musical
braying Of mules-sounds portentOus Of a
storm-have proven fallible signs. I am
am satisfied that proportiOnate increase
of heat the coming month will result in
the destruction Of these forests of pitch
pine.
Dust ? have seen the dark storm cloud
sweep over the sky; have experienced the
horrors Of a dusty Independence day ;and
read Of the great fog when the earth got
entangled in the tail of a comet; but these
Mississippi roads produce the most singu-
lar phenomena. When the long columns
are put in march. the sun is eeipsed
at full MONDAY, and if we march
by night the moon is turned into dark
ness. The soldiers seem transformed into
Malays. The wilderness is alive with
spiders and ants of all varieties and fab
ulous dimensions. A few mornings since,
one of the men was somewhat offended at
finding swift "a diminutive crocodile)
in his haversack. I
On the whole, however, we experienced
less inconvenience from the warm climate
than we might expect. The health of the
regiment is very good The men are di-
vesting themselves Of all surplus articles
Of clothing single days march being
enough to make any one resort to eight
marching order.D The gradual acclima-
ton of the army, and the discipline gained
by service, will enable our Union army to
operate, even during the continuance Of
the cheated term" in regions as much
dreaded by the unacclimated Northerner
as Scylla and Charybdis by the ancient
mariners.
Many Of those wounded at Shiloh are
returning to the regiment. Lieut.. Nc
Cleery appeared among US yesterday, and
met with q hearty welcome. He says he
intends, Immediately upon the close Of
the war, to emigrate to the State Of Mat
rimony.
The camp is always agitated when the
mail arrives; but fancy the feelings of all
if an installment of females should arrive.
We are all anxious to meet our mothers,
sisters, etc. Weeks have passed since we
came into this wooden country without our
seeing even a bonnet or a wearer of Grin
oline. l mention this for the information
of those about to enlist that they may not
-rashIy incur the pTiEations Of soldiers
life 5000 l't.y
receive the Tri-Weekly LEADER as reg
ularly as can be expected, and It is always
welcome Il looks like an old friend from
home.
Hoping that on our return from the
war, the old people win not be unmindfdl
Of The fatted calf
Iremain yours,