Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-10-01


Army Correspondence.
HIITos HAD, PORT RoTAL, s. C., Sept 2.
Ed. LEADER The terrible ordeal which
the nation is now passing through and the
stirring events which have occurred be-
fore Washington and in Maryland recent
ly, has doubtless absorbed the whole at
, tention of the nation, and our division Of
the army, as well as many others, has been
overlooked or forgotten by the people,
Dur division is still in comparative ignor-
ace Of the result Of the rebel raid in Ma
yland, yet we have .meagre news in pa
oers Of the 18th inst, that Generals Burn
des and Miles had given jackson some
lsrd blows We are anxiously awaiting
nrther news. Military men here reflect
sharply on the inefieiency and bad man
cement Of the Army of the Potomac.
! The principal item of news in this De-
artment is the arrival of Major Gen
al Mitchell He arrived at this port on
le 18th inst, and entered Immediately on
uty as Chief of the De-
rtmeRt of the South. He halls from
" noble State, (Ohio,) and his fame
stands in the highest place both in natural
and military science He has gone to
work in earnest-has alreadyivisited every
post in this command-reviewed all the
troops by regiment separately, and made
to each a short speech explaining his pur-
pose and what he proposes to do and what
he expects of his soldiers. The enthusiasm
Of his troops knew no bounds and cheer
after cheer rent the air as he passed from
one regiment to another. He possesses to
perfection the natural talent for arousing
the enthusiasm of troops. He proposes to
give US plenty Of work and that immedi-
ately. He has been busy reconnoitering
with gInboats in all directions and is eY-
idently a working and go-ahead man. This
Department has been idle for long time
and it is high time something should be
done Government has been to an i'm
menSs expense for this division, andas yet,
save taking this Island and Fort Pulaski,
has accomplished but little. There are
here and at Beaufort about - troops
They hail from New England New York
and Pennsylvania, and are as fine body
Of troops as any in the Grand Army Of the
United States, and if efficiently command
ed viii do honor to the States they repre-
sent. This division is most plentifully
supplied with all kinds of army ordnance
and eOmmissary stores. We have any
amount of cannon and small arms, of ev-
cry make and calibre; two frigates Of
war and formidable gunboat fleet, with
transports sufficient 10 carry any number
Of troops or munitions Of war that might
be needed at any point Our Navy Depart
ment is commanded by Admiral Dupont,
one of the most talented and energetic Off
GERS in the United States Navy.
Large accessions to our forces are
soon expected, when I trust a series
of most brilliant achievements will COM
mence.
The weather is now cool here, and troops
can march or labor comfortably. Sickness
Of many kinds prevails, but is mostly con-
fined to diarrhoea and coast or intermittent
fever.
September, SO far, has been the unheal-
thiest month af the year. The contra
bands tellus that with this month ends the
sickly season.
Large areas of cotton, corn and potatoes
were planted, and have been successfully
cultivated by the contrabands. The whole
number of acres cultivated is over g. ,O00-
The cotton crop is said to be excellent, and
the corn crop average. Fhe corn and cot
ton are both nearly ripe. The crops were
planted late. More than enough corn will
be produced to feed the colony of contra
bands here which Is between six and sew
en- thousand men, women and children.
Over five hundred daily laborers are con-
stantly employed in the Quartermaster'
department on this island. The balance
live on the numerous islands surrounding,
cultivating and taking care Of the crops.
A large crop Of corn and cotton was aban-
doned on Alto and North and South Eds
to Islands, in July, after it had been culti-
waited, which was q great loss to the Gov
ernment.
The contrabands have a good school in
operation here which is considered a com
.plete success. A Sabbath school is also
tept up and is we'll attended. A Baptist
church has been organized and cOlored
pastor ordained, who breaches TO them reg
ularly. He was their preacher before the
rebellion, and is well educated.
Port Royal is an infant city. We have
q weekly newspaper, large and commo-
diOus hotel, kept in regular city style, nu-
merous restaurants kept in the best man
ner, bowling saloons, stores and groceries,
wholesale and retail, jewelry and book
stores, news emporium, custom house and
post Office, navy yard and engine shops,
and over one hundred government build
ings-some Of them ofimmense size.
Oranges are plenty and nearly ripe, and
are sold by the negroes at one cent each.
Many other tropical fruits are in market.
But with sn the varieties Of fruit and fish,
1t is aoOhere compared with the products Of
the glorious and beloved hills Of the Old
keystone State, our native home. trust
that one more year viii finish this bloody
and unnatural war and we all can return
thome to interchange congratulations of Joy
and love, with our good friends Of the
Buckeye State, enjoying peace and liberty
with all the stars of the glorious constella-
ation undimmed, hence forward forever.
Yours Truly, A. POLLOCK,
18th Regiment Pennsylvania.
DoE'r PLAY wIrH YoUR WHIsKERs.-