The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-07-30
Army COrresp cadence.
Camp 9TH OHIO INFANTRY,
8 MILES SOUTH OF CoRINTH, Miss.
Talk 1890

4
July Is, 1862.
DEAR SpIRIT:-A long time has elapsed
since you heard from me, and the reason
has been that I had nothing of interest
to write, as nothing more than the COM
mon occurrences of camp life have trans
pired with us for a long time, if l except
a few trifing incidents, which now and
then turn up to break the dull monotony
Of soldering.
We are pleasantly situated down here
in fine wood, abounding with any live
animal you can name, from sneaking
invisible chigger to live and houncing
alligator. Indeed the number of tor
menting creatures that live here are un
nameable and -innumerable. The little
insect above referred to is the most agon-
izing of them all. 1t can't be seen by the
naked eye, but in great numbers it infests
the body, and inserting itself beneath the
skin, causes a small red spot to appear
with intolerable itching, which after
scratching increases and produces sore
which will not heal for weeks. Men are
covered with hundreds of these blotches
which are indeed annoying in the extreme.
Besides this torment wood ticks abound,
and lizards, scorpions, snakes, vipers od
infnituno, and ever present. How men,
women and children can stand it to live
here always, cant imagine, but expect
| it is as have heard an old story often
| told to illustrate, it is nothing when you
get used to it.
Having nothing new or striking to re-
late with regard to our general movements,
few jottings from camp life, are all can
muster.
CHANGES.
The changes in the Army here since
Corinth was taken, are numerous and i'm
portant to the country and to us. Our
Mississippi Army has lost its beloved
leader Maj. Gen. John Pope whose val
liable services were needed in another de-
partment. Gen. Pope is noble man and
as we have been under his command for
more than six months, we speak knowing
| ly on the subject. His course has ever
been complete success, and that to with
the most scrupulous regard for the lives
of his men, No General in the field has
accomplished half the results with the
same loss. True he has not, as yet, fought
any bloody battles, but he has taken places
where he could have had bloody battles, if
that had been what he was seeking. No
man can look on the strong works of New
Madrid and Island No. 10 and deny this.
At other places than the ones named, only
little mismanagement, small mistake
was needed to bathe his brave Army in
! its blood, and yet such blunders were
avoided the object accomplished, his men
saved, the rebels discomfttcd, killed or
captured, and himself covered with glory.
Truly the country and his Army has rea-
son to be proud Of Maj. Gen. John Pope.
Who now commands in Gen. Pope 5
place is more than We can tell at present,
but General Rosecrans is our commander,
and who commands him appears rather
unsettled, even among those who ought to
know. Doubtless Maj. General will be
along some time not far in the future.
The rumor is in c. zap that General Hal
leck I" Old .Brains,' as the soldiers call
him has been appointed Secretary of War.
We wish it true, We wish it false, but no
doubt our loss will be the nations gain,
for better man is not in the Army.
! Officers of our regiment have resigned,
been promoted, and died, until hardly any
of the original ones remain. Only Com
pany d is interesting in Monroe. First
Lieut.. John w. NJ. Brock has been pro-
noted to Captain; First Sergeant Geo. w.
Young to Second Lieutenant; Sergeant,
Thomas 0. Hughes to First Sergeant.
Lieut. Matthew Brown has resigned and
gone home, but he ever will be remember
ed as one of the best fellows living. Lieut..
Edward Gibson has been transferred from
Company G, to Company D, and Lieut.
Young visa versa. The health of the
company is very good, considering the
climate, and very few of the men are un-
fit for active duty. Only one thing seems
to be necessary to make folks happy gen.
orally, barring the insects referred to, and
that is new suit of uniform. Why on
The earth we don't get It now, is more than
can be seen. We are idle and stationary,
and some body must be to blame for the
neglect. Months ago, away up in Missouri
near Sedalia, we got clothes, and since then
nothing like a complete outfit has ever
deigned to visit US. What few clothes the
men have are too heavy for summer, and
most of them have thrown away their
jackets in disgust and go without any at
all. We have been neglected in this mat
matter more than once, and change in
this matter would please many.
Among the last but not the least change
which has lately transpired with US, is a
change of arms and accoutrements. Until
this we had the Greenfield Rife Musket,
and old accoutrements used by the three
month boys. The arms we now have is a
splendid article, and the boys are greatly
pleased with them. 1t is the Whitney
Rife with suerd bayonet complete, and
having globe sights, shoots as true as a
gun well can The greatest trouble now
is in kneping the boys from shooting all
the time, for they can hit a squirrel in the
tops of the highest trees. One Of them
wandered away the other morning, and,
after two or three hours absence, returned
with what he avered was aoild turkey,
but many shook their heads in doubt.
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH.
The fourth passed off with us gloriously.