Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-01-31
Brom tbs Tworty.NIrtH RselmenI.


EDIToRs LEADER; The Twsniy-Ninth Reg
iment Ohio Volunteer infantry, is now in
camp as North Branch bridge, on the POtO-
mac, ave miles from Cumberland, Nd.
The force OOacentrated 81 this point under
Brigadier General Lander is estimated at
about twenty thousand, composed Of troops
from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Illinois, lndi-
ana and Ohio, including the Indiana i4th
and Ohio 7th. These two regiments are well
known in the history of the present war.-
Rev. D. O. Wright, of your city, the newly
appointed chaplain of the Seventh, came into
camp yesterday and entered upon the duties
Of his OfRee. He was cordially greeted BY
numerous friends and old acquaintances.
We do not expect to remain here long, as
everything indicates march in the direction
of Winchester, via Romney. We should have
left ere this had it not been for the swollen
condition Of the streams, which are now rap
idly falling. We are ordered to keep three
days cooked rations on hand, and to be ready
to march at any moment.
Our force, which is being daily augmented
by fresh arrivals from the West, is known as
the Western Division of the Army Of the PO-
tomac, and is composed Of as good material
as any other division of the Federal army
Besides the regiments of infantry, there are
several batteries of artillery, and good
sprinkliRg of wsll-trained cavalry.
A number of regiments, among which was
the eth Ohio COL Burstsnbeinder, have
been detained some days this side of Bellair, in
consequence of high water, which completely
inundated the railroad track, also causing
a land slide which covered the road for some
distance with earth and stone. This Obstruc-
ton Is now removed, and the large reinforce
ment will soon be with US. You may expect
to hear something Of importance before long
from this division of the army. The recent
damp weather has operated somewhat unfa.
vorably on the health Of the soldiers. In
view Of the expected march early in the pres
ent week, Gen. Lander ordered us to send our
baggage and blankets, all but one for each
man, back to Cumberland. This may have
been the best course, but am satisfied that
the want of blankets has been productive OF
much i'll health to the men. There are at
present fifteen hundred men in the various
hospitals, mostly at Cumberland, and am
sorry to add that the number is increasing
daily.
We left fifty-ive men Of our regiment in
the hospital ct Camp Chase. I suppose there
are at least as many more unfit for duty al
this point #;
The ground upon which we are camping
is owned by an officer in the rebel army
Judging from appearances he will find hiI
farm on his return, minus the fences anC
considerable timber.
In consequence Of slight indisposition
have taken up my quarters in bis house
occupied by tenant who is good URioI
man.
The inhabitants of this portion of tht
country are generally for the Union, Will,
those holding opposite sentiments "lie Low
and keep dark" -snFsH sH
Cumberland is town OF seven thousand
inhabitants, and is distinguished for its de
votion to the Union. Private houses ar
thrown open to receive our sick, and ever
attention IS paid to their wants The tow
is beautifully situated on the north brancl
Of the Potomac, surrounded by the rock
spurs of the Alleghanies, whose lofty peak
] tower away and seem to mingle with th
clouds. Il is q place unknown to histori
fame. On gentle emminence in the sur
burbs where now stands a church edifce o
beautiful architecture, Gen. Washington
: once had his headquarters. As I stood upoI
( the spot and gaized upon the fine scenery o
the surrounding hills, and the Potomac lik
a thread of silver winding its way throus
the narrow valley and losing itself in th
distance, and remembered that the Father o
his Country had once stood there, tn
past, present and future Of this great countr,
seemed to pass before me like panorams
Ths sainted hero who led the patriot
armies Of the struggling colonies to battl
and secured our National Independence, rest
with God; while the glorious Unien, cement
ed with the blood Of our fathers, is agRil
contending for an existence, not with for
eign, but internal foes.
At this place, once known as Fort Gum
berland, my attention was called to a vel
ninety feet in depth, which was dug by di
rection of Washington for the accommoda
ton of the garrison; it was made necessar,
I in consequence Of many of his men beinI
killed BY hostile Indians while going to th
river for water. The we'll still remains, AM
though generations have passed away, itcOn
tinues to yield its usual supply of "pur
sparkling water
You may hear from me again after on
next march. R. b.
29lh Regiment O. Y. NJ
Camp Kelly, Cumberland, Nd, Jan. "a.