The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-08-27
From the 5ith Regiment.
FoRT BosTwIoK, NEAR CoLUMBIA,l
TENN. An1nst 10. 1862.


c. N. ALLEN. Esq: Thinking few lines
from Camp G, 18th R0gt. o. v. NJ, in re-
laiion to their whereabouts, condition, sc.
would be acceptable to your readers, seat
myself for the purpose Of giving you a brief
description OF our march from Nashville to
this place, and our present situation here
Gen. Negley having assigned to the care Of
the 18th Regt. that part Of the 7. & A. r.
R., lying between Nashville and Columbia.
we took up our line Of march Sunday morning,
August Sd. The morning was pleasant and
the boys in fine spirits, and the task for the
day was an agreeable one, as We were all
tired of guarding Nashville and anxious to
be assigned to some other duty. When we
reached the main road, (the Franklin pike
Company G, was thrown in advance to pilot
the Regiment through; and the selection was
certainly a most happy one. But now for
the days march: as the middle OF the day
approached the heat increased, and by IL
o'clock the heat was very oppressive, but by
occasionally resting in the shade we were en-.
abled to continue our march to Franklin, q
distance OF Is miles, where we arrived lit
tie before sunset We eucamped, or rather
bivouacked, for the night in grove near
town. Before we were dismissed for the
night we received orders to modest nothing
that belonged to the man whose ground we
occupied, as he was good Union man. This
was nothing new-the same old story all over
the State Of Tennessee. Stop where you
will, the first thing is, the owner Of the prop
erty requests guard for his apple or peach
orchard, or, "Don't allow the boys to molest
anything for am a good Uniop man. How
do YOU know he is good Union man? Easi-
ly answered. He has taken the oath of al
legiance and has his pass in his pocket Well,
several of these self 81 yled Union men ac-
companied the guerrilas in their late raid on
Murireesboro, and were afterwards found on
the battle field with Union bullets in their
bodies, the pass and oath Of allegiance ln
the Dead Sea apple, fair to the eye but ashes
to the taste. After taking some rsfreshme nts'
we lay down for the night. Monday, at 3 o.
clock P. NJ, sc resumed the march for Co
lumbia, leaving two companies at Franklin,
which Col. Moody makes his headquarters
We marched until sundown; then stopped
took supper, and again took up the line OF
march. AS night spread its dark vale som.
Der cloud might have been seen just above
the horizon in the northwest. 1t was not
long until the heavens were overspread with
one unbroken cloud. About 10 o'clock the
rain began to fall. We stopped for the night
and as VIC had no shelter we could do no bet
ter than to stand and take it. The light
nings flashed, thunders rolled, and the rain
fell in torrents, such as have not seen Tor
years. 1t lasted about one hour, and we
were completely Saturated with rain. What
were we to do? The roads were too wet and
muddy for us to 60 forward and the ground
too wet for us to lay down. 1t is said that
necessity is the mother Of invention. SO, it
was not long until the planters fence was
feeding huge fires all along the line. We
dried our clothes as best we could, and lay
down for the night; some making their beds
Of the branches ot the trees, some Of weeds,
some OF rails, and others lay down on the
ground. survey OF that bivouack alter
daylight the next morning, chad we lain long
enough), would have been a spectacle for
painter. Some lay coiled up in the wet grass,
some reclining against a tree, or anything
that would support them. They lay in al.
shapes and lorms. We ate breakfast and re.
sumed our march Nothing of Importance
occurred to-day. By dropping company,
here and there along the line, at their re
spective posts, company G was atlength left
alone. We spent the night in the vicinity
of Columbia, having marched "a miles. We
reached our destination about 10 o'clock A.
NJ, Wednesday. Our post is at railroad
bridge across Duck river, about 2 miles from
Columbia. The company we relieved were
erecting stockade fort. which we are finish
ing as fast as possible. When finished, it
will be known as fort Bostwick The boys
are in good health and fine spirits, and Duck
river bridge is safe in their keeping.
Trusting to Providence for the future,
remain yours truly,
N. BRINDLEY,
Co. g. 74th Regt. 0. v. I.