Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-07-23
Letter from the 08th Reg't.
SURGEONS QUARTEI,s, 9STH OHIO, |
SHELBYyILLE, TENN. July 4. ga. (

SURGEONS QUARTERS, 98TH OHIO, |
SHELBYvILLE, TENN, July 1, 60. ! !.
EDITOR CHRoNIcpE: Yesterday closed
another month Of this villainous rebellion,
and some things have been done and l think
a foundation has been laid during that
month that will eventually and effectually
crush the head Of the monster.
Our health as regiment; you will see by
the figures, has been good-an improve.
rhent on April. In April we had 224, in
May 2l5 sick-in this month (June), there
are but 1856, with more men present.
The following are the diseases, to wit
Typhoid Fever, IL Intermittent Fever, 2;
Diarrhea, lo5; Rheumatism, 6; Head
ache, 7; Bronchitis, 8; Neuralgia, .; In
Aammation Of tho liver, 6; Sprains, 8;
Dysentary, lO;. Sore throat, 2; and of
other diseases 1916.
We have had one death-Henry Bell, of
Co. E, Capt. Lochary's Company. He had
Pneumonia, got some better, but when the
regiment moved he got worse and was sent
to Nashville, where he died on the 2lst of
June. \.....
Bell was brave soldier, died leaving a
wife and some small children to mourn his
loss, and regretted by all his companions in
arms.
July STH.-Just now an order came for
moving camps, so we moved into town, and
now occupy an open lot, with Our tents in
military mode. ..,...... ....
This county-B edford-is the most cele.
brated Union county in all middle Tennes
see. Here Bragg has had his headquarters
for the last ten months. The male popula-
ton, in order to escape hanging or conscrip-
tion, as many as could do it, made their
escape, some to Nashville, some one place
and some another. As soon as the Federal
troops came into town, which was about the
10Th ult., the citizens began to come 10, and
by the 4th a large number had reached
their homes, and such creating and embrac.
ing has not been seen in this land or any
other, at least by your correspondent. To
see the tear drops roll down the fuirowed
cheek and the ,fraternal embraces of the
parents to their children, wives to their
husbands, sisters to their brothers, no one
could refrain from sympathizing. A large
number of the First Tennessee Cavalry,
that made the charge into town, were citi-
zens of this place, and had been separated
from their families for ten months, and had
not heard one word from them for all that
time. One can imagine better than des-
cribe the scene that would take place on
such an occasion. ,t9
On ycsterday-the 7th--a very large
number of citizens were in town, whether
by concent or by accident / know not. They
were addressed in very pathetic and pntri-
otic speeches by Messrs. Misener, Mulligan,
Col. Banning, and Mr.. -Tillman. The news
appeared to cheer the very souls Of both
citizen and soldier, all of which you have
before 1t reaches us, as you well know.
The health of the regiment continues
good. There are but four cases now in our
| regimental hospital. Ia
COL Reid is still in cofimsnd. He and
the l2lst and 1fSth, With Miller's battery,
are camped in houses, in town, on'the pub
lie square. The 18th Illinois is little
South of our camp, IN lot. I like the
camp out in open field much better thar
houses, for soldiers and officers beth. You
have better air, and can keep cleaner, ant
consequently in better health. This towr
Of Shelbyvilfs is said to be the fourth towr
IN the State, containing about 1000 in
habitants The rebels have occupied it SC
Hong that it is very filthy place indeed.
! visited their hospital few days since. ]
know it to be the most filthy place of thu
kind ever saw A detail of negroes hav'
been set to work to dhy to police the tow,
completely. Water here is good ant
abundant. s,s ,..qJ-a
I Duck River runs South of the town abou
half emile, and is quitea stream, mucl
: larger than the Harpeth.
Wo are pretty we'll supplied with vege
! tables by the colored population. Thi
! county is not SO fine as Williamson county
think, however, better adapted for wheat
but not 30 good for cotton.
There has been a very. unusual qhantit
of rain here for this season. 1t has raine
every day, with one or two exceptions, sine
we left Triune not NEARLY showers bu
torrents at times Z but We beat along, pay
ing no attention to it, and the men appeal
} ed to improve id health from the day "
started until We halted. ~at r
lai 81 Respectfully,
HENRY WEST,
4 ''l @ Surg. 9Sth Ohio.