St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-03-12

return to their Reservation, and remain
there in future. AT.
FROM THE SECOND MINNESOTA BAT
It is some time since we have had much
news from the Battery, the latest being of
the capture of some Of the boys by guer-
illas. Last week, however. We received
two letters from Rich d D. Bloomfield, who
Joined the Battery last fall, dated Februa-
~ goth and 22nd respectively. The first
is headed, "1n camp near Murfrecsboro,
Tennessee. otherwise known as the sHalf
Way House between the United Aboli-
ton Confederacy' and the Foreign e. S
A. l will guess at the date, Feb. Goth,
and I sort . reckon it is the year 1868"
and begins in this muddy strain:
"Don't confuse yourself concerning the date
Of my letter. The Tribune Almanac has not
turned up. The sun, moon and stars are
among the things that were. deputation
from the Historical Society of the North are
trying to ascertain whether Resecrans' army
hos withsood the avalanche of rain and mud
which has lately overAown Tennessee. better
known as the Half Way House. Confusion
worse COMPOUNDED reigns supreme. Newshoys
and mail matter are lying about loose between
here and somewhere. and We are, as it were,
shut out from the world and have lost our
reckoning. I presume that have guessed
as to the date and 'reckoned' rs TO the year
Alright; therefore, excuse the tedious heading
and lay the blame on the mud, where it belongs.
II il mud, mud, mud, until you can't rest. -
We eat considerable allowance of mud; we
sleep in the mud ; sit down in the mud; walk
about pulling Of our boots in the mud every
thing is covered with mud: We dig horses out
Of the mud stand guard in the mud; splat
mud with q shovel. and devour our frugal ~
meals off of the fiat place made in lieu Of a
table We spit mud; wash in the mud drink
muddy coffee; dig our guns out Of the mud :;
lin short. We are regular stick init muds,
and instead of writing this letter, it would
have been as we'll to have put daub of mud
in it and after placing interrogation points all
around the daub to have sent it along. (Mem.
Don't think this is muddy letter.
Thursday the 10Th was joyful day to me.
Your letters, one Of the 9TH Of January, with
huge bundle of clippings, and one Of Feb
ruary 9TH, containing Carlin's Report, were re
ceived. had a mind to get up good home
sickness on account Of my good fortune; but
just as was getting up cry and had blub-
bered, somebody said mud! became angry
and spoilt the feeling"
Leaving our friend still ffoundering in
the mud, we select from his of the 22nd
such items as would be of general interest.
He gives pen and ink sketch Of himself,
and mentions other St. Cloud boys:
"Do you think you would knowme! Here l
am: Dressed in blue pants, dark blue blouse,
gray shirt, and old faded duck bill cap, rusty
silkkerchief and pair of nine C) boots, with
my pants tucked in the whole rig slightly
dirty and very much soiled. Now look at my
face: Nine and half shades darker, hair
growing in wild profusion, 'muffstache' Oh my
iace, ami the hair on my head shade blacker
than it was. 4 look taller and am much heav-
Ter.
''Al. Gowdy is we'll, and is now sitting quiz
city smoking by my side in the Hospital tent
where am writing. He appears we'll and is
much aeshier than when in St. Cloud.
david Jarvis still remains in Hospital No.
Is At Nashville, convalescent.
ID. W. Coulthard is in hospital at Nashville
The latest news from him was brought by Or
| derby Serg't Earle, who says that Dave was q
little better. but there was no hope Of his ul-
innate recovery.
ed, my brother, is still in Hospital No. 2.
I received letter from him to-day. the 22nd.
He is quite feeble and hos . bad cough. He
will 60 from there to Cincinnati, and then no
doubt to Marietta, home. hope for his dis
charge. ..g .+ s.. .
"Al. Whitefeld is at Nashville and seems to
be doing we'll. His wound is not . severe one.
"Miles Brown went away with his father
How or where he went, do not know. He
left the hospital and no doubt hae gone home.
Probably you may see him socn.
I'VE have been longer in this camp than it
is usual for US to remain in one place. In
what was dense woods when We came here,
| to the right of the Shelbyville Pike, is our
camp. Our guns are in battery The linz
bers, which are attached to the guns when
marching, are directly in the rear, tongues
pointing toward the gun. In the rear Of the
imbers, directly in line, stand tie caissons.
t5t@ "~ #a .