Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-08-13

AURFREEsBORo, Ienn., July u, 1868.
MEssRs. EDIToRs: Nothing OF general
moment tTanspires to break the habitual
round of duty, and drill. Picket and dress
parade is onr principal occupation. Death
has again entered our camp and taken
a good soldier-Alexander Lindsy, of Co.
E. He died in camp, the victim of diGr.
rhoea. There is no resistance to the draft
of Death he takes no substitutes, allows
no exemptions nor spares sge, sex or con-
dition.
During the last two Sabbaths religious
service has been prevented by showers.
Last evening, understanding that Senator
Bean, of Wisconsin, was our Coionel's
guest, the boys gathered the band and
played; and a spec CD was desired. The
gentleman addressed Us briefly and ear
nestly, and paid a tribute Of respect to
the bravery and sacrificing spirit of our
soldiers; declared the battle nearly won :;
announced his mission here, and spoke Of
those who waited our return, and the sor-
row over our hero dead.
On retiring, loud calls were made for
Col. Utley. He spoke of Senator Bean as
true soldiers friend, by whose aid our
right as voters was preserved, the fami-
lies of the poor supplied, and the sick and
wounded tenderly attended. With one or
two remarks in his quaint style, the Col.
ended. The music was heard, and the
men went to quarters pleased with the
speakers and the meeting.
At last we have consigned to the boxes
the despised Dresden muskets, and resur-
rected supply of Enfield rifles. They
have been used BY others, but remain as
servceable, though not as bright as new.
We are glad to see the interest the peo
| pie of Wisconsin take IN the sick, but if
some Of the supplies so abundantly fur
nlshed for them and consumed by Others,
were occasionally dealt out to the health
tul, it would prove not only great treat,
but do much to prevent disease. | see no
inconsistency in dealing out a barrel of
dried fruit to well men, to be husban led
by them against some hard time. to make
palatabe their rough fare.
Once more the brigade is united by the
return OF the 10Th Michigan from Guys
Gap, and again we are commanded by
Col. Coburn; and though many fine fell
| low sleeps the slumDer which only the
reveille Of Heaven will break, the gallant
remnant are still formidable.
For q number OF days no care was ta-
ken to improve our condition, as stories
circulated from camp to camp of march
to Columbia, TO Kentucky, and even to
the East; but though sold with face like
truth herself, they had no more tounda-
ton then hanging in Murfreesburo; and
now flour is drawn in place of bread or
crackers, and baked in ovens built by the
masons OF the company, of brick, with
mud mortar.
The streams of this country abound in
muscles near their mouth, and from their
| shells many an ornament is fled and ring
fashioned. But those shells possess a
higher value; they are the resting place of
pearls, ranging in size from clover seed
to pea, and valuable in proportion
Some have obtained thirty or more of
these pearls and sent them home.
At length, Morgan has run out. and the
| gallant e. fellow will find comfortab BILE
lodging, and owners Of horses rest quietly
in their beds. Very likely there are men
who like this chief of thieves, and in their
blind admiration Of him who ran such
risks when he had nothing TO lose, forget
that thousands have died, their country to
save, in land which still reeks with the
blood of the brave, and that much of their
| blood rests on his traitor head.
Many Of the men of the 22d are think
ing OF the harvest at home, and as the
hours Of the long summer day drag idly
| by they wish their relatives and friends
who are cramped for help, and toiling
manfnlly under the hot sun, could have
their help. They are hoping that another
harvest may see them all at home.
All soldiers are glad to know that the
draft will be fairly and fully enforced :;
they read with indignation OF opposition
to serving their country when the hardest
battles have been fought; and only regret
those cannon in New York city were not
! full charged with canister instead of blank
| cartridges. We are always ready for the
rebels, but anxious to have a hand in, if
similar mobs attempt q repetition nearer
| home.
There are doubtless many at home who
| are curious to visit battle fields and not
ed camps, and have promised themselves
that pleasure when this cruel war is over
| and JET. Davis is no more but the lapse
of a year leaves few traces of either.
| Where were company streets will be
growing grain-where were lines of battle
will be rows of vigorous corn, and the
spots where battle ragged the hottest will
be known only by the ranker growth of
vegetation.
The story of many battle is told by
writers who have not been within sound
of the opposing cannon, and such a report
is no more like the reality than theatre
thunder to the appalling crash of heavens
artillery. He who would know the hard
ships and perls of war must participate
in them; his tale will then bring field and
soldier to the readers view, he will seem
to hear the bang of guns, the hiss of shells,
see the advancing lines, the strife for
mastery, the slow retreat quickening to a
run, aud hear the loud yells of the victor
as they press their advantage and sweep
the field.
Matters have so settled down to business
that dull" tedious" and all the Eng
lish list Of expressive adjectives fails to
tell the story. and he who has endured
this life month would cease to wonder
at the storm of cheers which tells aloud
how gladly the soldier leaves bis camp
even If it be to stand long marches or take
a post of danger.
| Thousands of men ia camp around