Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-05-29
Army Correspondence.
CAMP NEAR CoRISrH. Mrss.. I
May 18th, 1862.

FRIEND PERsHiNa:-I owe you an apol-
egy for my long delay in answering your
letter. I will now attempt to make a.
mends. You are. no doubl. aware that
the 4Sth has left Paducah. We received
marching orders Tuesday, april 22d. but
were delayed in. our departure until Sun
day afternoon. April 26th. Col. Noble.
the Commander of the Post. was very snx-
ious to have us remain there. and began
to fear that he would succeed in retaining
us. The citizens. too, were especially
anxious that the 4Sth should remain
During our whole stay at Paducah. not a
single depreciation Of any sort was COM
mitted by any member Of the Regiment;
and venture to say that while our Regi-
iment had charge Of Paducsh. there was
not q more quiet and orderly town to be
fonnd anywhere in the United States
But more important interests required us
elsewhere: and on the 9th, the steamer
L. NJ Kennett. with the 4sth on board.
swung out into the stream. and. amid
shouts and cheers. and waving of hats and
handkerchiefs by soldiers and citizens on
shore. and our band playing Union Dixie.
steamed proudly off ~ the Tennessee to
join that part Of the grand army of the
West under the immediate command of
Gen. Pope. We had delightful passage
mp. the weather was beautiful; the early
spring had fully developed flower and
leaf. and the heavy dark green foliage.
shading the water on either hand. made
one continued scene Of beauty and grand
eur on which the eye never wearied; yet
all this beauty seems "born to blush un-
/ seen.' save by the passing stranger. No
towns Of any size. only here and there q
few houses hnddled together. and these
apparently falling to decay; no farm
houses; no farms. And jet the Tennes-
see river is one of the finest of the West.
and waters a country rich in soil almost
beyond example. Why? / asked my
self. and there was but one answer
Slavery is here-enterprise is not. Slavery
is here. and the whole land is cursed for
its sake. i have not seen a school house
south of tine Ohio River. Slavery may
be very 6nc thing for the negro; very
elevating and improving. but it places a
perpetual yoke of bondage On the neck oi
the poor white man: browns him in ig.
aorance; crushes out oil freedom of thought
and makes him more q slave than the
black chaitel who lsbors by h;- side
| We reached Pittsburg Landing on the
evening Of the 2Sth. and the next morning
passed up the river some four OF FIVE miles
opposite the little town of Hamburg
where we landed. and imme lately march
ed five miles into the interior, where We
halted. and established our first encamp
ment--Ca,np Csthcart-named for thai
stern old patriot of Laporte County. G
W. Cathca.t. who is not only in favor o.
"a war;" as are the semi-traitors wht
composed the Bright Convention; but i
in favor of this war. until bloody treason
shall no longer flourish over u.s. unit
throughout all our borders. South as vel
as North. there shall float no flag but th
old flag. s
The 48th is on the extreme left of tn
army. Our Division commander is Gen
!; Schuyler Hamilton; our brigade commsn
der is Gen. Buford- You will recccllec
General (then CoIonel) Buford. as one o
those who fought so bravely at Belmont
He also commanded the expedition whicl
captured Union City. while Pope's arm.
was at New Madrid. He is already yer.
popular with the men OF his regiments
One day while passing along the lines. h
overheard some Of the men. in imitation
of their officers. using profane language
He stopped at once. and turning to them
remarked: "Men. ifyou have any regar,
for my feelings you will not swear.--
Don't swear. men. 1 hope shall hear i
no more" II we had more such officer,
as he. there would be far less profanity
in our armies. And mark my word. whel
it comes to lighting. not even the swearing
General Nelson will do better service thar
the heroic old General Buforl.
| wish could give you some idea o
the vsstness Of our army here. It's mum
bers DO not know. Imagine sn ARM
on the march from Plymouth to attack Al
enemy At Bourbon. Suppose the righ
! wing rested at Smiths tavern. and th'
left at Fairmount; that this whole lint
had depth Of four or Eve miles. and tha
every available spot Of ground in ths
whole area was occupied BY encampmentl
Of troops. and you can Judge as we'll ss l.
of the extent and force of HalIeck's army
We are daily awaiting the battle. and I'll
| feel confident Of success.
We have made three advances since We
landed here. and are now encamped in An
old cotton field. Last Friday. for the
fret time. tho long roll called Us to arms.
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