Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-03-20
From the 9th Regiment.
MARTIvsrRG. VA. Marc

MARTNsURG, VA, March I, 1862.
Ny DEAR AND MUCH BELOVED WIFE AND Chill.
DREN: --''Onward to Richmond" was the eel
obrated war cry of certain political generals
previous to the memorable Bull Run disaster.
| Onward seems to be, aud now is, the word o!
the gallant defenders of our glorious Union.
Onward to victory! Onward to crush rebellion
Onward to bring this unfortunate and unhap-
py war, forced upon us by the ambitious lead
ers of misguided people, to successful
| termination.
I'm my last ntimated hat we might have
to march. L ven then we were under march
ing orders, and fearing you might feel uneasy
| determined not to say we were going; but
determined rather to wait and say we have ar
rived safely at Martinsburg. Wednesday, the
9TH, we were ordered to strike tents within
one hour; it being then O'Clock A. NJ. l be-
heve have never said anything to you about
the work of striking tents. In most cases it
is work which is pleasantly performed by
theboys, as they are always as eager to strike
tents and move as they are to pitch tents and
stay. Great confusion, boxing up, teaming
| up, singing, and some times little swearing
are the prime ipal features of tent striking IL
| forciby reminds ono of a first OF April in the
city of New York. when, after O'Clock, we
had finished our labor, severe snow storm,
showing heavy and blowing violently, came
1 upon us anu lislcu lDl tlItC hhllnS
| which time all we could do was to stand out
and take it like cows in thunder storm.
| To disabuse the minds of many who may
/ think military orders arS very promptly and
minutcIy executed, | would simply say that
when the men get orders to be read to march
at Y O'Clock the men are invariably ready;
! but the marching may be expected at or .
o o'clock; a military necessity perhaps, of which
/ however, | truSt regiments under compe-
tent leader are not practiced in, very much,
Finally, at O'Clock Z. NJ. the train came
with single deck cars, such as any Holmes
county stock dealer would refuse to accept
. for his hogs and cattle, and we were ordered
to pile in; 3J men in a car with tents, cooking
utensils and all crowded in. | would, how
ever, here say that many Coloncls who have
| Ohio BOYS under their command would refuse
, such accommodations and treatment for their
men; but y on will occasionally find Colonel
who came from Germany, where he never
ranked as high as 7th corporal, but happens
to have the brass, impudence and German tai
lor polish, and just sense enough to buy him
I Sc If one or two forged Recommendations, and
with them dupc certain Republican Governors
and secure a Colonelacy; which office such
scoundrels think is pass to have men abused,
dogged and slaughtered. Such, an sorry to
say, is the case with certain Regiment. And
yet, Captains, l6 Lieutenants and 700 men
have placed the facts and their grievances
before the Chet Magistrate OF the sovereign
State of Ohio without obtaining redress. 1t
seems that certain red tape will prevent an
investigation of tho conduct of the reprobate
until most of the men have found their death
in dreary hospitals. But enough of this. All
| have to ask is, how long will the men OF
| Ohio allow such impositions to be practiced
upon their sons by mere advcnturer.
/ You know that when write to you, my
good wife, generally express my mind on
all matters without coloring, and | hope you
will pardon me Tor having spoken so plainly
T on an unpleasant subject. l Will endeavor TO
avoid the like in future.
We were moved about 48 miles on the rail-
road, from Paw Paw to Blackcreek, which
took us from Z. NJ. to A. NJ. On our ar
rival the order was given. 'get out and unload
Z imlpediatcly;o which was done in double
; auick. After starting fires by the side Of the
3 Railroad track and waiting until O'Clock
we deposited our baggage on the top OF hill
7 left it in charge of 8 of the weakest men OF
$ each company, and crossed Blackcreeki and
= here performed the hardest task yet done by
= me in the service of Uncle SAM though II
b would have been fun for many men. Across
f Blackcrcek the Baltimore x Ohio Railroad
+, Co. had built a most solid as well as magnif
a cent bridge, in the most perfect manner o
f of workmanship; but secesh not being any tC
anxious to continue tho swift and frequent
| visits from Yankeedom undermi ned the archec
5 masonwork of the bridge, and by by means o
7 powder blew the work asunder to consider
a able extent; which prevented our men from
t crossing until the damage was repaired. II
y order, therefore, to push the men forward t
# Martinsburg it was necessary to construct
n temporary pass. This was accomplished
!, by stretching across A wire cables, layinI
n planks crosswise and lengthwise over the ca
5 bles; making walk feet vide, elevated fror
so to 20 feet above stream rushing Wild
If through tho rocks. The structure swaye
o slightly to and fro, and the passage OF it mad