Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-05-31

EDS. LEADER Gen. Shields Division
left camp near New Market on Monday the
18th inst, took the road over the noun.
tains east to Lauray, Page county, thence
north to Front Royal on the Manassas
Gap Railroad, making the march in less
than three days. the first two of which tho
weather was very warm and the roads
dusty, rendering the marching exceeding
ly unpleasant and fatiguing. Many of the
men gave out from exhaustion and were
put in the ambulanees and wagons pro-
yided for the purpose IL
On the the third day it rained almostin
cessantly, and for nearly two hours
''The rain fell in torrents"
but the march was continued through the
mud and storm till everybody was dreneh-
ed to the skin.
We arrived at Front Royal at 3 o'clock
P. Il Of Wednesday, traiIed through the
fields two miles and found place to biv-
Ouac for the night, dismal night Of storm.
The men were without tents and you may
try to imagine the discomfort of night
lodging in the open air on the wet ground
with plenty Of rain. One Of the boys said
to me that he liked ''little rain once in a
while as well as anybody but the trouble
is wheni gets at raining in this country
it never knows when to stop
At an early hour the next morning ws
were up and of with a good prospect Of a
clear day, but the darkening clouds soon
Overspread the sky and the rain COM
menced again in good earnest.
It was currently reported by the coIOred
people along the road that q strong caval-
~ force OF the enemy were in our advance,
and 50 & proved, as on the second day from
Front Royal at place called Gaines Cross
Roads we had some brisk skirmishing, re-
sulhng in the killing Of three or four of
the enemy and taking two prisoners
The Major Of the 1st Virginia Infantry
was at one time fairly surrounded By the
enemy, and, as they supposed, taken pris-
oner, but the plucky Major did not exactly
relish the idea Of Summer sojourn in
eDixie' without choosing his society, 50 he
put spurs to his horse, dashed through
their lines while the bullets Whistled about
his ears q little toe. near for comfort and
was soon with his regiment unharmed
Saturday afternoon we passed through
the town Of Warrenton, by all odds the
finest town we had yet seen in Virginia,
surrounded by the most beautiful landscapes.
Went into camp one mile this side Of town
and spent the Sabbath, a quiet peaceful
day Of rest. A gloom, however, was cast
over the camp by the accidental discharge
Of q musket, resulting in serious injury
70 a private Of Company E. 29th Regiment,
shattering his shoulder blade badly. p
Monday we proceeded to Catlett's Station
two miles from Warrenton Junction, at
which place we found brigade Of troops
numbering about Eve thousand men, fresh
from the State of New York. After re-
manning one day for rest the march was
resumed, and continued TO Frederiolrsburg
through portion Of country distinguished
only for barrenness and desolation. The
soil is apparently unprOductiye and worth
less. A portion Of Gen Beauregards
army passed over this road on the retreat
from Manassas. Gen. MeDowelIs Divis-
ion also came from Washington 10 Freder-
icksburg by this route, and last, but not
IeesHE came uE4. ICNlEA46 DlNl6lUuF uAhAAuE
the general devastation Of the country
complete. The "0ld Dominion" is reaping
the abundant harvest Of her wiekedness
and folly. F...l. lT .f43s-s
= Yesterday President Lincoln and the
Secretary Of War hOnored Us with a visit
and the day was spent in reviewing the
troops Everything passed off pleasantly.
Shields Division was outshone relative TO
dress. for be lit remembered that the iiGrand
Army Of the Potomac" have, up to this
time had little else to do but to keep their
clothes clean, while our men have been
through the wear and tear of heavy
marches and the thunder of battle; scaling
the mountains, raking the wilderness, ford
ing the rivers and scattering the foe.
Many Of our men are ragged ard even
barefoot, and went out to the grand review
in this condition, but the good sense of the
President was not misled by fine dress and
SNOWY trappings, as he W as heard to express
his admiration and high appreciation Of
the heroes Of Winchester.
Gen. Tyler Of the 7th Ohio, has been
promoted TO the rank Of Brigadier Gener-
al, and appointed to the command OF the
Sd brigade Shields Division. The Divis-
ion has been newly brigaded giving four
brigades to the Division instead Of three.
The Sd is composed Of the 9th, 7th, 29th,
and Goth Ohio regiments.
The force at this point is yariOusly esti-
mated at from - to -- men. Heavy
march hes and stirring times are expected.
R. H. H.
P. s. Louis Roheder, Company A, 9Th
Regiment o. v, ives drowned in the Rap
pahannock at this place yesterday while
bathing. Think he was resident of
NeWburg, Ohio. He was a good man and
q good soldier. His death is a great be-
reavement to his company and regiment.
H.