Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-03-04
From the l25th.
FRANKLIN. Tenn. Feb Is

hi-lNs LCuIl., Il eD. 10.
! Dear Chronicle: Our company is or
picket duty to-day, stationed on thC
Franklin and Columbia pike. A number
of us, as a reserve, are seated around the
camp fire, Willing away the time in talk
ing, writing letters to friends at home
While not few are listening to the read
ing OF the CHRONICLE, which We received
last night, and which, by the way, of all
newspapers, Is the most eagerly sought
for by our boys.
our regiment Is fast becoming initiated
INTO the mysteries of the soldiers Iifs =
indeed, we are surprised at ourselves
when we think of the events of tba ,osi
few days, and remember what we bave.
endured since leaving our camn naar
Nashville. To be sure, an old soldier
would smile, and say it is nothing, but IN
our friends will we submit the case. feel-
ing sure they will render a different YER
dict. We struck tents and moved out TO
the franklin pike, according to orders
received the day previous. and took up
our line OF march towards this place. q
distance of lS miles. 1t was our first
march, and our knapsacks were well fill
ed, which, with our other accoutrements
bore down heavily. After arriving within
three miles of town, we received the in
tellgence that there were rebel cavalry
ahead. The troops were halted, while
our regiment fled past to the front. and
Company was Immediately sent in adj !
vance as skirmishers. Wemoved on ran
idly, and upon arriving in sight of town.
took the double quick until we reach
ed the bank of the river, when we de-
ployed as skirmishers along the bank.
and at the command of our Colonel. who
at that moment came up, plunged into
the stream, which was in MANI places
waist deep, and with some little diff-
Guilty reached the opposite bank. where
commenced our first skirmish in Dixie
with the accursed traitors. We drove
them through town and some three miles
beyond, exchanging shots quite rapidly
Tor little while, but as they were mount
ed, they had no difficulty in keeping at a
pretty safe distance As we had marched |
the greater part of the day in a drizzly
ann, our guns were in q bad condition {
md did not work we'll, or we should have 5
made list of killed among the rebels {
Is it was, we wounded one only. while We o
anne out without scratch. Is
The rebel force consisted of Forests !,
nd Stearns' cavalry, and had occupied -
MS place but a Few hours, though long -
nough to order supper for all of their u
nen; but as the Yankees came in sight a.
bout P. NJ, and crossed so rapily. thew "a
7ere obliged to leave the supper to the I'll
ender mercies of the blue coats" who e'
'ould have done it ample justice had N
hey been made aware of the facts in the NJ
ase at the proper time. u
The skirmishers returned to town at II o'
clock (midnight), and took ND their ol
uarters at the Female Seminary, where "
lr regiment has since been stopping.
We are daily expecting an attack, and SO
'e fortitying as rapidly as possible. The VI VI
eople are secesh to a man, and we con- tn
;cate all that we desire. Twenty teams %
lssed US to-day, returning from forag- Al
g expedition, and loaded with corn, ba- ed
m, &c. IS
This = the richest country that ever ate
W, and if fair specimen of Dixie, a
ere is no danger Of starvation at pres i iu
It, though there can be but little plant ~
in this vicinity this spring for several =.
AseSs P~nees and negroes, both are W. W.
ne. 70
We have 120 contFabands at work for ne
now, and still they come. But 1 have
ready written too much.
Yours truly, W.