Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-04-18

come under my observation, abounds in rich,
aluvial land, beautiful forests, relieved by hills
and fertile valleys, dotted with handsome and
substantial buildings and bearing the evidence
of enterprise and industry; but as you probe
beneath the surface Of outward appearances, you
cannot fail to be impressed with the iden that one
of the mighty wheels which move mankind, an
earnest and ardent desire on the part Of man to
exert his own untiring energy IN demonstrating
the principles Of free labor Is wanting, and per-
sons who have no interest, pushed on only by
their MASTER control the labor. 1t is now no
wonder TO me, that the South have been de-
pendent on the North for most every articly of
use, from the costly furniture down to the whip
stock and shoe peg.
1t was with surprise they beheld Us stretch
a rope across the river, and by means of block
and pully make a boat run across without be-
ing padded. "There declarethe Yankees beat
every thing for invention"
We have seen the cotion-felds and the stock
with the undeveloped pod still standing. They
pull all Of the stocks up, pile them in heaps,
burn them, and plough their ground plant their
seed, the latter part of this month or the first of
next one. In the middle of June it is ready for
picking.
Our progress has been stopped by the burn
ing Of bridges We did not wait for the con-
struction of one, but waded the stream, the cur
rent being very swift. The other stream, Duck
river, is little too large to try the experiment
A bridge 300 feet long, and 60 feet high, expan-
ded the stream, which had been destroyed by
the rebels on our approach. The 32d Indiana.
assisted by the other Regiments in Gen. john
sons Brigade, are rebuilding it. 1t. Kessler of
Capt Bartlett's Company, is detailed to aid in
it's construction. On the other side of the river
is Columbia, county seat of some note, con-
tanning a population of 5000, with two large
hardware stores and an arsenal recently con-
fol o,H fo hut off, Inv ba
rebels Columbia was the home of ex-Presi-
dent Polk, and of the rebel General Pillow. 1t
has not yet succomed to Union rule, as we have
! only a few soldiers to guard the town, and they
heartily cheer for jeff. Davis. 1t is a difficult
task to eradicate old prejudces, and this will be
one of the greatest objects for the Government
\ to contend against.
! One of the greatest deprivations which we re
] alize is not having any reading matter. Gu
mails have reached us but twice in ten or twely
. days, and in lieu of reading matter, we fall t
] reading our old letters, scraps of paper whicl
: we had considered old long ago, and which ser
3 we'd us to wrap our Coffee and Sugar on tn
march. The news reached us through SOM
source that Burnside gained asplendid victory
> and that Island No. 10 had been evacuated afte
two days hard fighting, and we had hardly
chance of feeling iubilant over it before we un
derstood the evacuation of Island number II
was untrue. 1t seems, to some extent, that We
are cut oil from the surrounding world, whicl
} we soon realize when placed three or four day:
on short rations. But We have the pleasant al
tentative left us which is hope, the hope thai
intestine war will soon cease, and that oul
4 Country may soon prove triumphant. One day
a soldier mourns because he has nothing to eat
the next he is perfectly eontented, surrounded
| with plenty. We may feel gratiied in having
! so efficient Quartermaster.
/ Company F, (Capt. Bartlett's,) is detailed t.
J guard and control the ferry, as long as we re
. main here and we are assured that every thinI
l will work well, as it is under the control of ou
: vigilant Captain. The health Of our Regimen
' is excellent, and the boys feel the invigoratin
: effects of the balmy days of Spring.
d Yours truly. UNKNOWN.