Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-07-16
Letter from Prof. Marvin.
CUMBERLAND, Md, July eth, Is

CUMBERLAND, Nd, July 9TH, 1862.
Cstisensef Warren and picinity:-I know
that many of you are now looking for a
word from the dear boys away" and
very naturally looking ONE for that word.
The S4th regiment is now in Camp Law
renee, just north of the site of old Fort
Cumberland. Amore beautiful or healthy
spot could hardly be found, The Poto-
mac runs around the point of the hill up
on which the camp-ground is placed
Several springs of purest soft water gush
from the rocks at the foot of these hills,
and the oft filed canteen, during these
hot days, and the jubilant squads of men,
about 6 o'clock, seeking the cooling bath,
show how our boys appreciate these natu-
raj advantages. To them, these noun
tains are magnificent, 4" splendid places
to g~eologise." But some of them think
battalion drill a bore in hot weather, at
8 P. NJ: The kind officers have relieved
them from this labor to-day and instruct
ed the pickets and patrols to seek the
shade, where practicable, but TO keep
awake, and Provost Marshal, Capt. Case,
requires some 80 men every day, to keep
matters about this loyal town of Cumber-
land all straight, and a picket of three to
guard a ford below against the passage of
c%ontraband goods. John Hoyt is one of
these three for to-day, aud has just gone
down the river with his load of rations
and authority to watch for secesh sympa-
thysers. The boys generally look hearty.
The heat, and imprudent use of water,
bring on their natural effects-"summer
complaints" Yesterday morning the
Surgeon reported over 200 cases in the
regiment, but only a very few severe, none
of these from the Warren "messes." /
might extend this by particularizing Lieu
tenants Irwin and Abel, Orderly Hurlbut,
Sergt. McLain (by the way, none more
complimented by the boys,) Co. Quarter
master Ford, and Drummer VIM. Birch
ard, hearty rs q cub. Well, there is no
use of writing out the whole list. There
is every need that Gen. Kelly should have
an efficient force to guard this Rail Road,
and our boys are doing it well. The cit
liens of Cumberland speak in the highest
praise of the S4th, and well they may
One only needs to go through the camp
and mark the intelligence of the men,
hear them talk, and especially see them
listen, as / did yesterday, (Sabbath) to
know that there are here many noble
men, fine scholars and true patriots
Would you at home do them all sorts of
good? Send them some papers and books,
good magazines and you, Messrs. Editors,
begin by sending to ii. N. Ford, Co. C.
Capt. Case, &c, 10 copies of the Chronicle
and charge the same to me, until Sept.
10th, and tell the dear friends all to write.
| wish my sachel had been full of letters.
You can hardly estimate the poteaey of
one of these missives from home. The
time seems long to the boys if they have
to wait more than a week between
Writ all about kanae and the boys will de-
fend those homes ever. May the Lord
help them. Yours,
JAS. MARVIN.
p. S.-After writing the foregoing, my
attention was arrested, while sitting in
Capt. Cases office, writing to a friend, by
the Marshal asking to wear my hat for n
few minutes. He disappeared for some
20 minutes, then returned to seat himself
to write, then soon arose and handed the
prepared document to a man with blue
stripes across his coat sleeves, at the same