Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-03-20

whsa ~ asn shall osuuid ON the srounA |,
rRoN THE 48D REGIMENT.
Eaisssial corrsspsndsues Of the Belmont Chronicle.
CAnP Man NEW MADRID, NO.,
sdfoi au sliHl March 9, 1852.
As iutimated insmy last letter, we left
Cemmercs on Friday morning, after having
our baggage to the regulation
.weikht, I leaving behind q considerable
amount Of trunks, DO. We marched all
d~ay.s1cept when detained repairing road and
removing distractions in crossing swamps,
sndhaltsd ct night fifteen miles from Com
mere Our wagons, with baggage and
tents, did not get up with us, and we were
compelled to sleepi in the open air. We suffer-
cd considerably from cold. as it was q very
coldmight. We halted on the border d
81. Johu's Lake, . small part Of the troops
having crossed over, and driven JEFF.
Thompson and his force from its banks,
capturing three pieces Of breech-loading
mountain howitzers. He had during the
early part Of the day, his Artillery so placed
on the bank Of the lake as to sweep effect
ually the corduroy road and bridges over
which our troops had to pass; but, hearing
Of the advance Of a part Of our forces from
Birds Point that would cut off his retreat,
he made a hasty retreat, or, in the language
of one Of the natives, ''he went towards
New Madrid by telegraph" not, however,
90 speedily as to obviate the capture by our
cavalry Of the above named artillery.
Our baggage came up on Saturday morn
ing, and the soldiers were supplied with p
cup Of good warm coffee with their break
fast, and again started on the march about
II o'clock, marching througha nice, level
country, a. on the preceding day, only
better settled and improved, the roads
scnsrally good, with the exception Of 90
o~asional svampa. Nothing Of special in
forest occurred during the day. We oamped
at . little village called 8ykestown, on the
Cairo and Fulton Railroad, and during the
night there was o very heavy rain and thun'
dsrstorm, almost flooding our tents, wettins
tho men efectuslly and making many o.
them feel that they had sacrificed much il
the way Of comfort in becoming soldiers,
We we're again ordered to reduce our bag
gage 10 the lowest possible amount by leav
ing behind . part Of our tents, the kuap
sacks Of the men, and every thing else no
absolutely necessary, after which, at abou
IL O'Clock, ~, We started through the mu'
towards New Madrid, and encamped Q
night Sunday evening" within ten miles Q
that place. i5 Wa als, 1sa
During the three days march there wa
but d single Union flag seen. Many pei
o however, protested themselves goo
Union men, but compelled by the pressu'
of armed men to act the part Of treason
their country. A great portion Of the
left their homes on our approach, believing
as they had been taught, that va were con
ing with Gre and sword to devastate and d
stroy everything before us; but on learning
a. they soon did, that their property IN
persons were perfectly safe, many Of the
retired to their homes, apparently muc
disappointed, and greatly pleased. IT
night was ysry cold, Pressing the road ha,
snoueh 70 bear our artillery wagons 81
making them excellent for travelling. "
started At : o'clock In the morning tMo
dayl for the "sest Of war;" all, apparent
s-nsious 70 mess the enemy. During d
d.v ve uasssd through a splendid country
lsvsl, soil rich, we'll timbered, and W
va.sred, With apparently but one drswba
the blishtiug curse Of Slavery-with
necessary arrs farms and sparsese ttlement
Several ceutrabands fell into the wake
srnv during lis march, impressed, .,
IDENTIFY, with the idea, 80 frequently advau
ed bv tbe disunion element Of the Nor,
and reiterated by the masters OF tn