Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-10-28
From &c IO9a Ohio Y. I.

letter been sent from camp when orders
were issued to "pack up and be ready to
strike tents at moments notice" Tents
were struck at P n, but for some reason
beyond the comprehension of those outside
of headquarters, we were kept in the open
air until u o'clock at night. We then
took the road to Lexington, where we ar
rived little after sunrise, and rejOined
the other half of the regiment-part act
ing as provost guard and the remainder
bivouacked on the Fair Grounds, adjoin-
ing the town on the south. Here wepitch-
ed our tents, and are now occupying one
of the pleasantest camping grounds to be
found anywhere.
Lexington processes vast deal of 10y
atty, and our arrival was greeted by the
waving of numerous Union flags in the
hands of fair women" but the "brave
men" who ought to defend their homes,
were lettering about with hands in their
pockets, looking as though it mattered lit
! tie to them whether we were Federals or
rebels. The inquiry may be suggestive Of
an unjust suspicion, but why do not so nu-
merous a population defend themselves
against such predatory bands as that of
John Morgan If, in a city Of $1,000 in
habitants, there are not enough loyal arms
bearing men to resist charge from twen-
ty-five hundred rebel cavalry, the sequel
must, l think, be found in the prevalence
of disloyal sentiments. Numerous articles
taken from our troops by Morgan have
been found secreted in secesh houses in
~-I-@~- sLo a:4s- a-.d 81 - n~pAoiOA that a
continued search will result in the discoY-
cry of more. Our teams have been sent
out to forage upon the farms Of known Sc
cessionists, and we are cooking our diu-
ners over fires made from rails confscated
on an extensive plantation belonging to
one who is now in the rebel army, eight
ing in defense Of home and property"
These are the first indications of "strin-
gent policy" on the part of our leaders.
At times, camped upon secession premises,
our boys have been forbidden to take any
but topmost rails. Camp Wells was loca-
ted upon the farm of noted secessionist
named Hogan. We arrived there after
dark upon a rainy, chilly evening. In ac-
cordance with orders from headquarters,
Colonel Easement directed us to burn
only the top rails" In the morning the
General visited our camp, and upon ap-
preaching Colonel Easement, remarked,
" Colonel, your men are instructed to only
take top rails, and they have taken the
whole fence" Colonel Jack quickly re-
piled, ayes, General, but they took the
fop rail each time" "Weil," said the Gen
eral with q smile, ain future they must
take the top rail but once" This incident
is related by some who claim to have over
heard the conversation, but your CORES
pondent will not vouch for its authentici-
ty, except in so far as it is alleged that
the 103d boys did continue to burn "top
rails" until the entire fence disappeared,
which is veritable fact.
Colonel Easement is Provost Marshal of
Lexington, and if the city is not kept quiet
it will be because "the thing is onpossi-
bic and can't be did" Captain Garrett is
Deputy Provost Marshal, and the compa-
nies Of Captain Philpot and Garret. are act |
ing as a Provost Guard Captain Hutch
inson's company marched last night at
midnight with two days rations for some
point unknown to the common herd" in !
camp.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sterling is in COM
mand of the regiment, and comes higher |
filling the place of Col. Easement than we /
had believed it possible for any one to do. |
Kind and gentlemanly in department, and
firm and energetic in action, in the brief
time that he has been with us Col. Sterling
has secured the confidence and respect Of
his command.
The health of the regiment has improved
much since leaving Camp Smith, which is
due mainly to the pure water obtained as
we approached the central portion of the
State Here we have an abundance of the
best of spring water in and about the
camp One cause of sickness might be
found in the severe service to which we
we're suddenly transferred from the pur-
suits Of peace. From the time of entering
Kentucky to the present moment, the 103d
mas been constantly in active service,
picketing, drilling, doing guard
luty, etc. Whilst at Shows Pond, scarce
! night passed but we were called from our
,ots to form in line of battle, and often did
we respond to such calls three or four
lines in a single night. Then the expert
snce of the night would be repeated in the
lay, with the addition Of drills and the
lSual camp uuIy, al OF WHICH pore neaVlly
upon those accustomed to the regularities
and comforts of home. Of late, night
marches have been substituted for the line
# battle, our last two movements having
been begun at midnight, after bivouacking
n the open air the first half of the night.
The days now are very comfortable, but
lave been quite hot, whilst the nights are
5tinging cold, heavy frosts covering the
ground each morning for number of days
)ast. These extremes in temperature have
,een productive of feyers, and a number
# cases of ague have come under my OBJ
er7alion.
As we are net permitted to know any
hing of intended army movements, can
rive you no information as to the probable
ength of our stay here, but the general
elief and desire is thater another month
hall have gone by, we will be far down in
Dixie. Nor can l enlighten you as to the
lumber Of troops here, as the limited in
ormatiOn in my possession is more than
m permitted to make public. One would
hink, however, judging from reports of !
latters down the turnpike, that the whole
lale population Of Ohio were being poured
ntO Kentucky.
Truly. d