The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-04-10
Army correspondence.
Fonr DoYrrsoy. March Is. 1862.

FORT DoNEtSoN, March 10, 1867.
ED. JOURNAL When left off writing,
few days ago, while encomped at Metal
Landing, on the Tennessee, four miles above
Fort Henry, II was rather abruptly, as we
had orders 10 attend TO "roll call " every
hour, 70 as to be ready to march at ten min
utes' notice.
But we have remained here until to-day,
and we are now striking tents" aud get.
ting everything aboard the Minnehoha,"
ready to go = no one knows where But
we expect to lard at some point near the
Alabama line, being led to such conclusion
by the great number of troops that have
gone up the river during the last ten days,
and which were reported to have landed
near Pittsburg and the rumor that the
rebels are concentrating at tho "Graud
Junction" where the railroad from New Or
leans crosses the Memphis and Cha lesion
Railroad, This point is i'll communication
with railroads running from almost every
Southern State, making it the great central
point of the Southern railroads and the most
available for the speedy concentration Of n
large force. And it is probable, should thcy
make a stand at that point, it will be one o.
the most desperate of the season." for.
Judging from their facilities in collecting
largo force, the enemy will likely cudeavor
to submit the issue to this contemplated
battle. He could not possibly expect II
better place, nor amore suspicious moment
Our force, gone and gong, up the Tennes-
see will not fall short of 100000 men.
Whatever our destination or the issues OF
this expedition may be, the boat is pushing
out and moving slowly up the river, butnot
until the night has passed and another day
Sunday, lGth,--is here, with its clouds
and mists. We are accompanied by the
59th and 18th regiments, which belong to
our brigade.
can see nothing on the shore worthy
of note, unless, perhaps, those darkics
yonder, who appear to be wild with excite
ment, might be considered curiosity, as
their conduct represents the feeling which
appears SO prevalent among their sable
citizens, in the midst of whom waves the
white flag, and here, at another place, are
| three very old men waving their hats, ana
| hurrshing for the Union! And they are uil.
doubtedly sincere, if the truth Of tie say
ing, out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth spcaketh be our criterion. And
| there, too, is another group of men, women
and children, who have come down 10 the
waters edge to hal the "Old Flag" and to
greet our approach as the hnrhinger Of &C
curity from those who are engaged in this
unnatural war--those who would rend eve
ry tie, every golden link, that binds this
! Union together and obliterate the memory
of the immortal dead, who pouro out THEN
blood like rain upon the battle-iields OF the
Revolution. Yonder are others, black and
white, who appear to be jublant at our ap.
proach but there are some upon whom
our presence seems to have ali opposite
effect
Here is railroad bridge burned which
was the work of fleeing and terrified rebels
MONDAY, l7:h.--We are now at Savannah
a littlo town of three or four hundred inhabi.
tants. The boats are lying so thickly along
here that it is impossible for us 20 effect d
landing. After steaming up and down the
river two or three times, we have now
stopped, and have orders to go ashore
cook, aud go aboard again. Here in large
corn-Geid in beautiful bottom, where VIC
have landed, are about 200 hogs, and Il
head of cattle. The word is, slay and
eat" which, by the way we are not back
ward in doing mot having had any fresh
meat since we left Camp Chase about six
weeks ago.
The 5Sth, composed principally Of Dutch
led the charge. They killed about twenty
and wounded forty-some mortally, and lef
us to take care of them, in which we were
not slow in showing our humanity dcpriv
ing them as speedily as possible Of life, tn,
only thing that was prolonging their misery
without stopping a moment to conside
what their rebel owners would think.
Now $500 of us are eating our supper
at the same table, and below us short dis
tance are about $4,000 more in one camp
and above are about 10000.
Supper is over, and we area gain abroa,
the boat
TUESDAY, 18th.-Wc have landed again
and are ordered to be ready TO march at an,
moment, A battle is expected some ffteel
/ or twenty miles from here in a short time
but we are not ready for tho attack yct
; Smith has sent for more mon. do no
think they will be here for week.
Yours, w. A. WARD.
u. al