The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-01-30

CAMP TAYLOR. BIRDS PINT,
Mo Ian On 1850
Dear Father and Mother

n1os, Jan. ~, 1907.
Dear Father and Mother:
Once more we are in cur ''soldiers home" and |
have opportunity to write to you again. Though |
we have all the convenences for our literary pur
suits in good barracks--yet we have but very
little inclination, assure you-for we have seen
the toughest marching during the last week, that
any soldiers were subjected to-and of course
feel almost "HSed up
week ago o.day we received marching orders,
to be ready at nine o'clock the following morning,
for move Our baggage is again packed and
letters again written, bidding goodbye to home
friends we had done every day previous for a
week. At the appointed hour we are at the evee
and embarking On board the steamer AIeck Scott,
also the llth and Doth Ill-while the 9Th and 45th
H., with a company or two of cavlary moving
on another.
At three o'clock we swing off and move down
the Mississippi, amid floating acres Office and snow,
passing long files of ducks on dress parade in the
openings. Fort Jefferson-fve miles below is our
destination, and steamer is 'fast" one we
are but few minutes from the Point before we
head up stream and touch the Kentucky shore,
just above the Fort. We are soon in battery on
the sacred soil OF Kentucky, and our TENS pitched
which being of the Fremont style and new, look
very nice compared with our old WORKOUT ones
of six months a government mule having
lost the of his eyes, comes through the camp
and walks almost into our tent--tearing the top
off the staf-breaking brace and several guys
which sadly disfgured our new house, and brings
all sorts of ill wishes in behalf ofthe criminal brute
AS the nights very cold, we fully appreciate our
blankets and the idea ofsleeping very close. The
day following, at noon, we take up the line of march
for Blanville-eight miles in the state. As the
roads were very bad, and we were on the march
till nine O'clock we found the miles very long,
| As the night is clear we make camp with but Ii
little trouble, and by eleven or half-Rast are once
more in dream land, with visions of home and its
eomforts-so real that we find ourselves cross and
anything but sweet on waking up a soldier.
At ten o clock we resume the march leaving
baggage and extras in camp. Theroads are much
better and the country more civilized which i'm
proves the marching very much, though not so
pleasant as it might be. if the more
favorable. Light clouds are flying through the
air which hides the sun, though occasional open
spaces serve to remind us of the good qualities OF
q sunbeam. At four corners, about five miles
from our morning camp we halt, placing our guns
in battery commanding the surrounding country
Cavalry scouts come in from different directions
who probably are connected with other forces that
have been days march ahead on the different
roads heading into Columbus. Reporters tax.
ing notes and special artists sketching the troops
in their various positions on the hills around
Rail fences torn down and furnish fuel for our
irou ora trl1Iv com rtnh tho day is
anything but pleasant for out door life. Remain
ing in our position for three hours more we turn
our faces towards our camp at Blandville, and at
dusk are cooking our ham and hardbread over our
camp fires on the bank of Mayfeld Creek. The
day following remain in Camp and enjoy a
good rest after our daily marches.
Frank Leslie's Special Artist takes sketch Of
Squad g. at dinner, and rustic bridge near by
with Gen. Grant and his body guard crossing.
A evening we built large fire and sing" The
Star Spangled Banner" Scotland Burning
'tPleyels Hymn, &c, till time to turn in We are
disturbed during the night by severe rain storm
and as the tents are poor, our blankets and equip
ments quite wet before morning. After break
fast the mail arrives, and nearly all are given a
letter from home which relieves the dull, rainy
terry and though raining very steadily we take the
return road to Fort Jefferson. The roads are very
bad, and the march is long and tedious. About 6
O'Clock we arrive more at the Fort, and pitch
our tents III mudhole, but nth hay and al abun
dance of blankets we sleep quite comfortably, tho
an occasional drop of rain falls through the tent
into our faces We make another breakfast Of
ham and hardbreads; washing dishes with an
old newspaper At noon we strike our tents for
'ahe last time on the march and move down to the
river bank and await the arrival of steamer to
take us home. The Chancellor soon arrives from
Cairo and as we are anxious to leave, it is not
long before we are again the move Instead
of large floating masses OF ice and Aocks of ducks
we see but a narrow belt of snowy flakes and here
and there lonely water fowl skimmng over the
smooth surface of the river. The SUN sinks into
western horizon while we move up the great nv
er, and thought how pleasant it would be were :
at home enjoying he comforts of this life, instead
of being a soldier and watching the decline of day
all alone from the deck of a Government Steamer.
We soon make the Point and disembark Ill sea
of mud which is q common article III this msers-
hle place. We are happy enough, l assure YOU
to again sleep under cover and enjoy good sup
per after the long and unpleasant expedition. 1t
is reported that the move nothing more than
a reconnaissance in the vicinity of Columbus, also
to prevent any movement the rebels might intend.
To-day has been spent in letter writing, cleaning
carriages and recruiting. | should have written
to you while on this march but the weather was
so very unpleasant that it was almost impossible.
I've written an account of our movements for the
last week, that you may make out y0ur idea OF
the expedition. Yours Atfectonately,
WILLIE.