The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-12-05
DECEMBER S. 1862.
Letter from Clarence L. Marsh, Of Co.
G, lst Ohio Artillery, to his Father,
NASHVILLE, TENN, Nov. 18Th, lob2

NASHVILLE, TENN, Nov. lStni lSOE'
DEAR FATHER :--Once more ws arc In
communication with America For over
two months, We have beon surrounded by
Rebels, with no supplies lett us; so you sue
We havo been obliged TO live on the ctizeus,
and. FOR this purpose, Gen. Nogly has, Tor
the last two months, sent out largo fora
ping trains, every day, Of 200 to 800 wagons 1;
and, to protect them from tho guerrillas,
he has sent out from two TO throo thousand
infantry. two or threo companies Of cavalry,
aud section Of artillery. They would most
nlways have q brush, but We would como
out best. used to like TO help load the
wagons. They would go out TO mans
farm that they knew to bo rcbol. or in tho
Rebel army then they would just strip his
farm OF horsos, mules, corn and everything.
Tho soldiers, after they had loaded the wag-
Ops. would steal tho chickens, and some.
times, when the officers were not looking,
would get into tho house, and take their
silver ware, and what littlc money they had
in the house, and anything that they could
take to town, and sell for tho money. Thcy
used TO use thom rather roughly, but then
we must live, and, if they viii! cut off our
communication with Louisville, thcy must
suffer the consequences.
But, to keep the city of Nashville from
being taken by the Rebels, Gen. Ncgly was
Obliged to forlify, and. for this purpose, he
Impressed about 1000 negroes, whom he
has kept at work. building brcastworks and
forts. The city is completely surrounded
by breastworks, with double oils to defend
fho roads. lie has had four forts built
Fort Ncgly, which is the largest OF thom
Is to tho left of the Franklin pike, and about
half milo south from the Capitol. can
not or will not attempt to describe it, but
will tell you so that you can form some idea
of the size oft. There havo been from .wo to
throe thousand negroes at work ever since
we have been hero, and they have work
enough laid out on it now, to keep them az
work until next spring 1t is built in the
shape Of a star, with eight sharp points
built of stone, and above and back of them
are four moro There is room to mount
hundred guns, should think. | will not
say any more about it, only that it is tho
largest fort ov0r saw.
Tho next fort in size is Fort Casino.
This is tho fort whore VIC are. 1t is on tho
right side Of the franklin pike, about half u
mile south of Fort Ncg'Y. 1t has a stock
age for infantry, and broastworks mndo Of
cotton bales for artillery and infantry. Tho
right section of our Battery is hero togoth.
or with 3 companies Of the 29b Illinois
which is the hardest regiment in the scrv
ice.
About I of a mile to tho right of fhis fort
Is Fort CUnfscation, which has cotton bales
for brcastwOrks, and brick house, pIauked
mp with heavy two.inch and q half plank,
with loop-hoIes for infantry. Here 10 tho
left section of our Battery, with tho rest
of the 18Th Illinois Regiment
Tho other fort, which is called Fort An.
drew jackson, is the State House aud the
forti6catioos nrOnnd il. So you can SEQ We
we're prepared to give the Rebels d rather
warm reception, if they had attacked us DO.
fore Gen. RosOcrans had got hore. Gen.
Paino's Division was the first division that
got hero. He got here in the afternoon
In the morning of the same day, Morgan's
cavalry attacked our forces across tho river
in E1gcfrld, for tho purpose Of burning tho
railroad bridge; but thoy found our meu
too much for their. At tho same timo,
Breckinridso attacked US Oh tie franklin
pike and Murfroosboro pike, with five thou.
sand cavalry and pieces Of artillery. They
commenced Smelling our pickots. Our men
oponed out on them from Fort Negly, with
n 32-poundor. (which soon made tbcm stoI
that fun. Then Gen. Nogly sent out i
regiments of infantry, ono regiment OF
cavalry, the LIST Teun., and two sections OF
artillery, one section of our Battery, nnd
ono section of an Illinois battery. Our
men followed them out, as thoy supposed,
about miles, when they turned around to
como back, not thinking that thoro was u
rebel in ten miles of them. But wo had
not gone far towards town, when wo found
out, to our surprise, that thoy had COM
pletely flanked US, aud we had only to fight
our way back This we did in good style,
losing only 4 mon. ! do not know how
many tho Rebels lost in killed. | know wo
took some 80 prisoners, Cavalry men,) with
Iholr horses and arms.
Part of Gen Rosccrans' army has moved
on towards Murfreosboro Tho day We left
here we heard heavy cannonading III that
direction. but VIC have heard nothing of the
result. We are undor marching orders, tC
be ready to march ut minutes notice. We
are expecting 20 do something this winter
We have not boon paid Oft yot. Govern
ment owes us most mouths pay now
But must stop writing.
CLARENCE l.. MARSH.