Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1863-03-18
Cur 3rmg Correspondence.
Letter from the e5th Regiment.
CAM Ton, memphis. Tenn, /
March 9Th, 1863. (

=
other of tine week, is thoughtful one with
the Soldier; more than any other does it turn
his thoughts to his distant home in The far
North; and on it is be far more apt to have
that peculiar and melancholy feeling take pos
session of him, denominated home-sickness, q
disease that has oftentimes been the primary
cause of sending many brave warrior to his
last long home. He hears not the merry bells
as they peal forth their Sabbath hymns of
praise to the Great Creator he mingles not
with the peaceful throng of Gods children,
who in country, city and town throughout the
broad and happy North, do gather from far
and near on this, His Holy Day, to worship
at His foot-stool: he is not permitted to enter
the well known, or sit within the time worn,
walls OF Gods sanctuary: the well know n
faces of friends and relatives, who for years he
has beheld congregated in the Sacred Temple,
he now sees not; he heareth not the familiar
tones of the beloved pastor, nor joins he his
voice with childhood's friends, in sending up
sweet anthems of praise to the Great Creator,
| All this he doeth not Of home sweet pri-
vileges he partaketh not, but far removed from
l1ith and kindred he spends his Sabbath on
the tented field. The ringing peal Of the bu-
giles, the low roll of the drum, or the shrill
scream of the fife, must answer to him for the
merry ring of the Sabbath bells. The music
of his own voice, when uniting with those of
his companions in singing the familiar melo-
dies of home, is his only choir. His sanctu-
ary must be in his own heart, and his sermon,
such as he can derive from the study Of Gods
word
Different from other days only in the ab-
sence of drill, this day is spent by him in va
rious ways, as writing letters, reading the BIZ
bic, getting together and singing, but more
often far is it spent in silent thought Fond rec
objections rush teeming thro' his brain, and busy
memory paints upon the retina aof the minds
eye, bright pictures of home, sweet, dear home,
which in Imaginstion's vista be sees, and loves
to gaze upon.
Last Friday week rara avis in the shape
of Pay-master appeared in Our midst, and
gladdened the hearts of many by paying them
up to the 3Ist October, though he would have
made them to rejoice much more, had he paid
them the amount due for the remaining four
months. The boys now having money are
living much more comfortably than before
an over-plus of ration in found in many in
stances to exist; and the Sutler, happy fellOwl
thrives as becometh man of his cloth.
Last Sunday Quinby's Division was sent
down the river, and on Tuesday We were or
dered to break camp and prepare to move to
the outskirts of the city, to replace the lost
Division. Soon all was hustle and confusion;
ike a hive Of busy bees the soldiers moved to
and fro in and out of their tents, preparing
with merry shouts to change their temporary
habitations. Soon at signal from the bugle,
the tents are struck, rolled up, and prepared
to pack away; then the wagons with their
double and triple spans of mules wheel into
the company streets, are quickly loaded, and
driven out in order in the road, again the bu-
gle sounds when the men fall into company
line, and companies into regimental lines, the
order Forward-by right flank left
march-is given and we move on our way in
column, four abreast We were encamped in
an open lot, in the surburbs on Poplar-street.
There were lot of small brick buildings,
most OF them in ruins in the centre OF the
field. In one ofthem the smallpox had been;
this the Colonel ordered to be consigned to
the flames, fire being great eradication.
From the bricks of the other domicils, the Of
icerS and men have built fre-places, and pave
ments for their tents. This together with
the nature of the ground, which permits the
water to run off, makes very dry and COM
Portable camp, in which by strict police regu-
lations, cleanliness is greatly promoted We
have good wood and water, and all together
are better off than when in Fort Pickering
with this disadvantage only, that we have
now, to perform picket duty, being the out
most regiment. We have no duty to perform,
except picket and camp guard duty, there be-
ing no patrol or fatigue duty to perform
From present appearances we may remain
here some time, aiding in garrisoning the
city. The health of the regiment is excellent,
and if we can stay here, and the weather con-
tinues as good as it has been during the past
week, the hospitals will soon be vacant and
the Surgeons, have time hanging lazily on
their hands
A few days ago we were greeted with the
face of one of Urbana's citizens, John Curdiff
of the gunboat Curlew, so strong, healthy and
robust looking however that we hardly knew
him. He called on US at our tent and made
many inquiries Of friends and home
Nothing of interest has occurred in the
regiment, and the daily routine, of camp du-
ties is unbroken by any startling incidents
If we should be suddenly attacked some dark,
rainy night, it would be quite a circum-
stance" and might form material for an Item,
but no such good luck awaits us.
Now to our friends at home, I would say
write often to US, send US the home papers
when you have read them; nothing keeps a
soldierin such good spirits are receiving plenty
of letters and papers from the place where
centre all his hearts affections.
For the third time, your own" signs him
self C.B.S.
Letter from the 45th Ohio.