The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-04-02

more Tor the health and comfort of the SOL
dlers while living, and in case of death for his
survivors, than the United States. The pro-
tecting shield of government is thrown around
him from the moment Of enlistment and ever
after life is gone it is continued to his posteri-
ty. Throughout these hospitals there appears
to reign a perfect system of good order, prop
er classification of diseases, suitable means.
proper electing, good ventilation and all the
comforts OF institutions of this kind removed
far from the seat of war. This is an outside
view and there may be exceptions.
OF the sanitary stores SO profiisely sent by
the syInpathizing and generous people Of the
north | have some thing to say. In very few
instances have these stores ever reached their
destination. They reach the hospitals it is
true, but they never reach that class of men
for when they were intended, Imean the poor
soldier who lies on a stretcher or III his bulk
parched from fever from wounds or disease.
Government makes ample provisions for the
able bodied man who can eat and relish his
daily r~ations, but the sick man in the hospi-
tai is not only received and nourished bodily
by some little dainty that is administered to
him in his rough couch Of pain, but the idea
that it comes from friends afar off, who re-
member him in sickness ana prOstration, has
a tendency to infuse into his PROSTATE form
new hope and courage.
| hear it from all, that it is no use to send
these things in the way they have been since
the war commenced. They generally fall in
to the, hands of the hospital stewards, the ply
sicians, surgeons officers of the hospitals and
the various attaches Of these institutions. The
wines, %jellies, preserves and other delicacies
that a hearty well man i'll time of war ought
to spurn as only fit for children in the nurse
ry, or ladies' Of a tea party, are always deni-
ed the rich soldier with the apology that they
are all gone, Tor 'that they would injure him.
But at the midnight supplies Of the officers
and their friends these same delicacies, put up
by the hands of love and affection for the poor
feverish soldier, grace their tables in protusiOn.
1t is the same with the thousands of pack
ages and boxes Of clothing sent, such as shirts
drawers, towels, sheets &c. &c, sent there for
the comfort and health of the same class of in
valids. They are never distributed but APP
propriated by others. Often these find their
way back to the north again without ever be
ing broken in bulk, having fallen into the
hands Of some dishonest person who sends
things to his own family. Mrs. Lovel, who |
subsequently saw assured me that this was
the truth so far as her own observation and
information from those who had an opportun-
ity and interest in knowing. The only way
to guard against fraud and to insure the safe
delivery to the person for whom such contri-
buttons are intended, is to have packages di-
rected to some proper person III each company.
In this way such things as are sent Will be
sure of falling into the right hands.
No one who visits the seat of war can lose
sight of one fact, that its effects have a strong
tendency TO demoralize the soldiers as we'll as
officers. Removedfro the influences of home,
family ties and social circle, with none of the
restraints of the civil law and only governed
by what appears to him an arbitrary despot-
ism, lie becomes bold, daring, headstrong and
perhaps somewhat selfish. 1t is so no doubt
to a certain extent with all armies. Perhaps
it may be necessary in order to make good
soldiers.
Wherever either army has been, and par
ticular both northern and southern, the coun-
try is marked with ruin and desoIation. If
soldiers on either side are brought from their
Homes to cut each others Threats or destroy
human life III the cheapest and shortest man
ner, property can be of little consequence in
their estimation. Through Kentucky and
Tennessee | should judge not over one half
of the arabic land was cultivated last year,
and probably much less will be this year. The
three great staples of these states, are corn,
tobacco and cotton. From the appearance OF
of the soil and climate | can see no reason why
white labor could not be substituted for black.
Had free labor been first introduced no doubt
but what both of these fine states would have
this day been as free. from the presence of ne
groes as n of the New England States. Their
misfortune was i'll being settled by emigrants
from the slave States.
Owing to a stringent order ~forbidding the
crossing Of the lines by citizens | failed to
SEQ the battle field of Murfreesboro and the
splendid army of Gen. Rosecrans. OF all the
Generals in the field | know of none in whom
the soldiers and officers have more confidence
than in him. He has massed a large army
who are now in the best of fighting trim, anC
Bragg fears him more than any other Genera.
in the Union army. Upon the fate of this
central battle hangs much of the destiny o.
this war. Already the advance pickets or
both sides are having skirmishing daily, anG
at any moment one Of the greatest battles ev.
er fought on either continent may take place
Designing to change my route through Ken
lucky | applied at Gen. Mitchell's headquar
ters and got a pass to Cairo, by the river Cum
berland. This route would give me a view
of Fort Donaldson and also take me tc a point
three hundred miles nearer Cairo than to %
by the way of Louisville. For two days
waited patiently for the government to ordel
one of a humble of boats with steam up, t.
leave, but the order did not come, and | lef
by rail. During this time became acquaint
ed with a number of officers in the city anC
at their quarters. As our conversation nat
urally turned upon camp life, and the war,
heard much that was not only amusing bu
instructive.
OF the anecdotes and stories told over tn,
camp fire while sitting on a three legged stoo
l remember several that pleased me. One raj
as follws: At the second battle of Fort Don
aldson, only a few days before l got there gu
men were all scattered over the village eacl
one fighting on his OWN hook, some from
houses and other buildings and some from be
hind trees. Soon after the battle commence
a Texan officer i'll full uniform rode up at full
speed and halted about twenty feet in front O
one of our gunners who had Just finished load
ing a twenty FOUNDER. The officer witt
drawn sword commanded him to surrender
The man at the gun said Eyes in a minute,
and at the same time firing his peice the of
ficer and horse fell together literally blown
to pieces.
The fighting McCook family are know
throughout the country. 1t consists Of tn,
old gentleman who is connected with the com.
m%issary department and resides in Colum
bus, Ohio, and several sons. Whenever the
old gentleman feels 50 belligerant he caonor
remain at home he leaves the office and re
pairs to some actual fighting ground wher,
one Of SONS are stationed. Last fall some time
when our army was encamped at Murfrees
boro, the old gentleman came down with his
~favorite rifle Of long range. Two or thret
hours afterwards every few minutes would be
heard a pop from some rife down in the woods
Men were sent to learn the cause and it was
reported that a man was up a tree firing up
on the enemies picket5. Orders were then
given to have it stopped, but pop went the ri,
fe. At last orders were issued to have the
man arrested, and it was then reported that
the mau was an officer. At last Gen. Robert