The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-04-29
Army Lettef.F9n5z
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1
t as fsf si#l III April 6th '63.
Editor Democrat: -.
Is-tl was once considered a correspondent of
yours in matters pertaining to war and war
fare, but as you are probably aware, came
to the conclusion some time ago, that writ
ing for the papers is more fact than fancy,
and being always sort of theorist, natural
" came to the further conclusion, it didn't
pay" Nevertheless, this afternoon (having
Lancaster, while waiting for" Jim 80 to make
the coffee, have concluded TO try and intro
duce myself once more. z Query: Who is
favored, Izor the Editor? sai--- i'iai sii
The history of the 1o4th Regiment, of
which two companies are from Portage, with
its innumerable marches and countermarches
would comprise a complete history of the
war in Central KY, from the time Cincinnati
was beleaguered and relieved (sec T. Buchan-
an Read in the Atlantic Monthly up to the
present time. No occasion has yet been CIV
emit for trial on the Battlefield, but for en-
durance upon the march, discipline and sub
ordination and soldierly appearance, it may
be a satisfaction for its friends at home to
know that it ranks among the very best of
the Army of Central Kentucky. The time
l0as whenit had and perhaps deserved s'hard
name.a 1t was organized when the g Confs-
cation Act ',iwas being discussed by the peo-
pie, and the men and some officers came into
the service with rather queer ideas of the
profession. of soldiers. If man was only
said to be a rebel, it was considered a stuff
Gent guarantee for a perfect onslaught upon
his poultry, his pigs, his potato patches, corn
fields, apple, and peach orchards, and every
thing else that hands could reach. Our Col
onel from the first tis set his foot down.'' but
what with their own inclinations, and encour-
agement received, and examples set by Off
GERS, some of whom in high authority, it is
not strange that all the cursing and swearing
our :" lrishman 2 could do. (whichi is 20 small q
amount by any meaus,) apparently effected
but little. But energy and perseverance in
the end a0iU win;'' and at last the men be-
gan TO see that confscatio n meant one thing
and pillaging another, and that they are by no
er to the contrary. From the day that lesson
was learned, the reputation of the regiment
has been excellent. li,z7 ~ 1sd5 z5ss 2
We saw, or rather smelt, (excuse the terni)
but we were not near enough to see-the ,
enemy in Danville on the oath of Ma=ch,
but against the-wishes of every man, we as
afterwards proved, foolishly retreated, coming
off, however, in goodaorder, and preserving
our baggage entire. 1t seems as if dashing
cavalry raid of two or three thousand men
sends a shock to the very ce:4ter 9ef=the De-
partment, almost paralyzing every nerve.aln
However, this time the Department recover
sd its equanimity little fooseuick for the
good of Gen. Pegram and his ragamuffins.
After retreating and acting defensively for two
or three days, the order was suddenly revers-
ed. All the mounted troops were sent IN
pursuit, fo- the rebels had already begun to
retreat. They were overtak en- in the vicinity
m Crab Orchard and Disks River. (yvhere we