Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1862-12-26

wagon ana the stating oil two or
three Teams at the foo. OF a young
mountain. We bivouaced for
the night on the farm OF a Ken
tuckian. HARDLY a large stuck of
straw, but when daylight appear
ed next morning we could not tell
where II had been. and .te could
say in the language OF Judge Sto-
~, cit was, but il IS not" IT.
glory had departed forever. What
the men did not use for beds. the
horses and mules eat. Sabbath
morning we again were in mo
ton upon the road, and the same
rugged scenery OF which We had
got view on Saturday, was a
gain presented to us, except
that it was intensified as We as
cended up the Sandy river With
ont stopping to give a detailed
account of our trip, or the char
acter OF the country through
which we passed, suffice it to say
| have no idea how the people
live. 1t is true that there is oc-
casionalIy a small bottom which
has some evidence of productive
ness, but On the best there can
not be produced over 80 bushels
Of corn to the acre. The people
who inhabit this country are as
squallid and filthy looking a class
as | ever beheld, having but lit
tie intelligence. The better class,
Of there ever was such a class
here are in the army, either
North or South. | really begin
to appreciate what is meant by
the "F'irSt Families Of Virginia. +"
The finest mansions ! have been
in the parlor floors are covered
with rag carpet, made of butter
nut linSev, ornamentad with a
striped goods of the same char
actcr worn by the females.
We crossed the Sandy river 10
miles below this roiIt, travelling
up that stream on he Virginia
side. The Sith indiana, the 10th
Kentucky and an independent
squadron of cavalry had been
under the command Of Col.
Tiusler, at CatlettSburg, for some
days previous to our leaving that
point. We left the iGth Ken.
lucky at Catlottsburg. The bal
lance of the forces came 10 this
point. where we again Joined the
10Th Ohio.
We arrived here on Sabbath
evening, having marched 81 miles
over the hills. in one and halt
DAYS. inst half the time il took
the 40tn Ohio to come.
We are campnd on the Virgin
n SIDE OF the Sandy. Il the mouth
Of Tug FOX. and have a heauti
full ground 10 camp upon Thprt
was little town here called Cas-.
vile. but II was occupied princi
pally by seceSh families. and OF
Yesterday morning Cranor gave
orders for all TO leave except twc
families; and Immediately OF
their departu e he ordered the sol
dIers to demolish the houses
which was done in dDubIe Quick.
and the lumber taken bv the sol
diers to make hunks in thei:
tents.
We are now all comfortabl,
situated. All the sick and com.
planning and a few skulkers were
left at Catlettsbu-g until able tc
march up here.
There are few men in the
regiment who have been PLAYING
discharge ever since we left Gov
ington One man put cayenne
pepper in his eyes till he got a
discharge Another swallowed To-.
bacco to give him snasms. lie
was sent home, hut not dlscharg-
ed. He told his exDedient too
soon. lie was ordered TO report
to his company, but refused =
He Is now reported deserter.
Ten men from company | de-
serted last Friday night. The
measles and mumps have scourg-
ed us badly About 200 have
had these diseases within the last
five weeks, but n large proportion
OF these are row c0nvelescent.
and the remainder are doing
well.
| know Of no armed rebels near
here except, perhaps, a few bush
whackers. Above here, some
80 miles. the rebels captured some
Of Col. Dill's clothing and arms.
while they were being taken I'D