Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-02-06
Army Correspondence.

RouLEsDUnG, Va. Jan. 30th, 1862
DEAR MISUNDERSTANDING of those
mutations which are so common in a sol
diers life, brought us to this place last
Sunday morning. Roulcsburg is about
100 miles from Wheeling. on the b. &
O. n. r., an in the summer is one of the
most romantic spots in Virginia. Sr-
rounded by mountains, which lift their
lofty heads until they kiss the sky, it nes-
ties in one of the love'iest oiEvalieys. On
the east of town is the ever present Cheat
River, upon whose banks the old 9th has
so often suffered and poured out its best
blood for the sake Of the Union as our
fathers male it. A splendid bridge,
which it is part of our duty to guard.
spans the river at this point; but the most
important part of our duty is to keep a
watchful eye on the trussel works west OF
town, which being so or GO feet in hight
could not be easily replaced were they de-
stroyed. Although this town has never
been menaced. it is Thought, in view
of the complication of affairs at Ronrney.
that the rebels viii attempt to cut off snip
plies and reinforcements from our troops,
which they could effectually DO by destroy
ing the railroad at this point. OF course
this kind of soldering is not like that ex-
perienced on Cheat Nouns ain Summit;
indeed, Roulesbnrg appears like paradise
to our weather beaten, war worn COM
rades. This was formerly the head-quar
tiers of Gen. Hill, whose gross incompe-
t,ncy or cowardice, caused the failure to
c cure the brilliant achievements of Gen
Mcclellan last summer. When the reb-
els commenced their retreat from Laurel
Hill. dispatch was sent to Gen. Hill to
collect his forces AMI take up his position
at the Red House. some eight miles from
here on the n. w. turnpike. Instead of
moving forward promptly. he allowed
Saturday afternoon and Sunday to pass
in inactivity. and not until Monday morn
ing did lie take up his line of march
Even then he might have bagged the game,
but be indolently refused to picket the
road, and on learning that the rebel army
were in three miles of him. fell back seven
miles. Prisoners since taken assure US
that at the time referred. it was understood
among the rebel officers that they would
surrender rather than risk another battle,
such was the exhausted aud aaic-stricken
condition Of their men. Thus, you see.
but for the arrant cowardice of one officer
a victory might have been achieved which
would have off set the disastrous day at
Bull run.
The great question now is, will the VIC
tory in Kentucky be followed mp by a.
:hievements no less brilliant, which will
bring to close this dreadful civil
war. Surely nothing can be gained by
further delay. The great army OF the
Union are only waiting to hear the word
Forward when with bound and Q
shout they will strangle the hydra headed
monster which seeks alliance with the des
pots of the old world against tho liberty o
America.
The chieftribulation of the 9th now, il
the fact that inexorable orders have sep
Grated us from our brave General Milroy
under whose lead it has been said. "Th'
Indiana boys would take three days ra
tions and march to attack HI in tn
rear.'' With his staff he remains at Hut
tons, lille, in command of the Cheat Noun
tain pass We greatly miss the vivaciou
Alf. Welton, who remained with him il
the capacity Of Brigade Clerk. and as com
munication with him is very difficult.
take this method eff sending him the kind
Ily greetings Of every member in Co. D.
Although we oil love the General as 4
father we cannot bot see that be is out o
his element in this war which seems to b
chiefly waged against the treasury. anl
whose policy is chiefly founded on right
supposed to be held By the rebels. "a
} traitor should meet the death of traitorr
is his motto. and the old 9th viii Away
! sustain him With the, emphatic voices Q
THAR Mimic riAos.. ~. ~