Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-02-12
Letter from Evansville, Ind.
EVANSVILLE, Ind, Feb. Q, Is

EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 2, 1868.
Dean CHRoNIoLB: BY the unaccountable
ups and downs of military service, 6nd
myself for short time . sojourner in this
beautiful Hoosier city, some eight hundred
and odd miles from home. How l came
here does not concern your readers, nor
would it interest them. Suffice it to say l
started from the valley Of the Great Kama
whs some ten days ago, aud was landed here
Sin good condition" by the good steamer
Liberty No. 2, few hours ago.
My object in writing you is to say that
fell in with the 9sth Ohio Regiment at
Portland, and although my seeing them was
entirely accidental, l assure You was no
less rejoiced 1 was agreeably surprised, on
Saturday evening, while up to my eyes in
business, 10 Zee clbowing his way through
the jam Of soldiers, into my office, the burly
form and smiling face Of Alex. Branum,
closely followed by Lieut.. Barney" Collins,
who had somehow heard rumoy that
was in the neighborhood, and they were on
tour Of discovery. lost but few minutes
in finding the quarters of the 9Sth Regi
ment, which at that time was in the capaci-
GUS cabin of the huge steamer Jacob ,Stra-
der. There l found all the Belmont Boys
looking very we'll, and in finc spirits, as they
were hourly expecting the arrival Of the
Paymaster Capt. Mitchell is in command
Of the regiment, (the field officers being
absent,) aud Lieut.. Locbary is acting
Adjutant. Both these officers are looking
unusually well, and Lochary is the very
picture ofheath Lieut.. Woodmansee, al.
though not in robush health for some days,
is in fine spirits, and has the pluck to
endure anything, DR.. Lewis represents the
health of the boys as good as the average,
and seems hopeful for the future Of the
regiment in that respect. Lieut.. Collins
keeps up his good spirits, and l doubt not
makes good officer
Besides Mr.. Branum, Israel Lewis and
Il Mrs. Lieut.. Woodmansee were visiting the
regiment. assure you it does one a world
OF good to see old friends when SO far from
home. More of the dear ones at home
should visit their boys in camp, and when il
is not practicable to do so, they should do
1.-THE nert best thing-write frequent letters,
detailing everything transpiring at home.
You can have no conception of the longing
desire the soldier has for news from home.
have often noticed with intense interest
the all Of exultation with which the brave,
true-hearted, home loving boy clutches the
letter from homeland on the contrary the
look of bitter disappointment, keen anguish
often, with which they turn away from the
; post Office, after receiving the answer
Nothing for you." Show me the soldier
who cares nothing for these things, anc
, seldom receives tidings from home, anc
would not answer them if he did, and will
show you careless, grumbling, good. for
nothing, who is more familiar with tn,
guard house than he is with his dutie
as soldier; but on the contrary show nj,
the young man who receives frequent letter
. from home assuring him that be is missed i,
the family circle, h around the festive boar,
!, that those at home feel lively interest il
his welfare, and | will show you the mode
soldier: his gun is always shining-hi
clothes neatly brushed his person cleanly
his bearing free and manly; he enjoys tn,
respect OF his comrades and the entire con
8 fdence of his oficers. by and by vacanc,
occurs among the commissioned officers, apt
we see the young man who through tn,
countless temptations of the camp has pre-.
s served spotless his good name, and with tn,
I home influences strong upon him, and tn,
feeling that his parents will rejoice in hi
success and mourn his failure. say wo SCI
a ms young man some fine afternoon appear
. ing on dress parade" with shining nsv
a pair Of shoulder. straps, - and in his pocke
. the Governors warrant and authority t
!. wear them.
! Friends and relatives OF the soldiers q
y home, | fear you do not realize the gres
1 Importance Of this little item of letter
wrll'ng-but let me assure you that its in
fiuence cannot be over. estimated. 1t il 70
the benefit OF the good cause in which WI
. are all laboring that you bear this thing il
o mind and remember your boys often, Woul,
j you have your son = model soldier--,crit
Q and encourage him to his duty Woul,
you have him to resist the many tsmpta
Q tions that beset him at every step-writ,
|, him that your love for him is az warm a
i when he was by your side at home, and ad
J. wise him as you used to in the good ol,
times OF peace Would you have him re
! turned to you virtuous and upright as be
fore his enlistment write, ,oriie, WAITE
| and never give him reason for uOmeut d
suppose that your love for him is declining
But l have digresssd irom the ss,h unit
my time is about exhausted and must close
3 The Jacob Strader passed US at Cannel,ol
Yesterday morning, and presume Msssrs
Bianum and Lewis are still with the reRi
. ment. as they intended staying with then
. until they were paid, in order to take thsi
Q money back home with them.
: l take the cars at DAYLIGHT for the delsct