The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-11-20
Our Military Correspondence.
FROM THE Io5rH REGIMENT.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Nov. Alb, 1863.
FRIEND CONVERSE despite the boastpt
jeff, and General Bragg, that they would
dine in Chattanooga on several seperate oc.
c%asions, they have not yot called to tako
dinner with us. Perhaps it is because we
are short of r%ations, and it may be that they
prefer to dine alone. and are arxiously wait
ing our departure. But. after tramping in
mud and rain, over mountains and through
vallies. in Tennessee and Georgia, for -four
months. tho Army of the Cumberland pro-
poso to stop and stay a while. Then there
are many inducements for US to remain in
or near our present cn%campmonts. Winter
quarters will be warmer and more comfort
able in mountain girted Chattanooga than
in either Murfrecsboro or Nashville. Be-
sides, wo wish to take a ramble next season
through tho northern part of Georgia, to
make ourselves more thoroughly acquainted
WITH it's geography. and its mineral aud ag.
ricultural resources. Bragg has evidently
guessed our intentions. and, inconsed a: our
stubborn boldness, has determined to mako
our stay as unpleasant and uncomfortable
as possible. For the last throe days, he has
boon throwing. occasionally. solid shot with.
in our Notifications. hurting thom at us from
the summit Of Lookout Mountain. His eff.
forts to do any. considerable damage BY
bombardment. have thus far been futile. II
he %assails US from midway to tho top OF the
mountain, he finds himself within too easv
range Of our guns. and must retire and if,
as he is now doing. no bombards from the
summit, he is too far off Ind too high up to
do " serious injury. Tho guns cannot be
depressed. yet they have, in The last three
days. thrown solid shot very near us, and
shoIls have burst within tho eucampmcn.s.
but two or three hundred feet in tho air.
Tho most serious damage which has been
done us of late. was recently done by the
building of large RATS of timber, loading
them with stone, and then setting them
ailoat to destroy our pontoon bridge, and
thereby cut off our supplies. For several
~ - h"o " III q
pairs, but this nothing travel across il was
again resumed, and, as | write, tho wagon
trains arc rapidly crossing, loaded with ra-
tons, For tho week past, tho soldier has
been hungry, and has often lain down for
tho night. supperlcss /; but has. ncverthe.
less, borne it with manly patience, knowing
that 1t was no ones fault that it was caused
by the act of tine onemy, aud was one of the
vicissitudos of war.
Rut few pooplo comprehend in tho loast.
or have any idea Of the difficulties which the
commander of this department. has had to
meet and overcome in supplying this army,
with %rations. Tho only way that ho could
reach his supplies was by u circuitous route
over mountains. n distance of sixty miles.
Ra,ions must be hauled by WORKOUT mules
this distance, making the distance to be
before a WAGON load of provision
could DO brought forward, ono hundred and
twenty miles. The wagons must nocessari-
ly bo loaded light, SO light that the soldier,
living on half, or. less %rations, would con-
every io.a brought by tho train, while
it was making another trip, down and back.
Any one can readily SEQ that the temporary
destruction of tho pontoon bridgo must
mako hungry soldiers ; hut soldiers can and
are iFiHing 10 endure hardship if it is not
~wilfuIly imposed, aud patiently they have
stood up to tho rack, fodder or no fodder"
knowing that their cause is u just and noble
one, and worthy of any and every sacrifice.
Under all these difficulties, the enemy have
been held at bay. Trenches have been
thrown up, and forts have arisen with in.
credible rapidity, and now the day dawns,
tho brightness re appears. and tho soldier is
merry again. Tho recent rains have swollen
tho river, and steamers arc landing thou.
sands of rations some six or eight miles be-
low, the nearest point which they can safe.
ly approach and from here tho wagon
trains arc hurrying them to tho vicinity Of
tho army.
This army, as you are probably ware.
has beon re-organizod. Tho position of
troops has been generally changed. The
lO3th arc now known as a part of tho Cd
Brigade, commanded by Con. Vandeyer,
and a part of tho Sd Division. commanded
by Gen. Baird, and Il part of the I4,h Army
Corps, The second Brigade is composed OF
the following regiments tho I'd Minnesota,
the lOlst, S7th and 18th Indiana, and the
lO5th, Both aad oh o. VI.
Tho weather just now is warm and pleas
and. though heavy rains, OF late, have been
frequent. The health OF the army is good
Yours truly, T, W. PORTER,