Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-06-04
From the 5Ist Regiment.
CAMP NEAR MURFREEsBoRo, Tenn.
MAY 3Oth, lS63.


DEAR BROTHER Il with PLEASURE inform yon
that | still enjoy good health. All the men who
are yet in tits regiment from Little Holmes"
are well and as devoted to their cause as ever
Everything is extremely quiet along our lines nd
there no particular indications of a forward
movement nor of an attack. But should the reb.
els attack us at any hour in twenty four. they
would not find us unprepared to give them a warm
reception. We are thoroughly prepared TO re
ceive the rebels If they come, or TO follow them
if they evacuate. The whole army of the Cum
berland is in good organization and dicipine.
Rosecranz does business up in good style and in
such manner that his men take pride in all they
do Our duty now is light; it chiefly consists in
keeping our camps and persons clean. One could
hardly believe that where so many men are put
in such close quarters they could have such good
order and perfect cleanliness. Their clothing is
perfectly clean and their arms and accoutrements
shining with silver brightness. Immediately in
front of our camp flows beautiful little stream,
that furnishes with plenty of water for all EUR.
poses. There are numerous running springs along
the stream which affords us plenty of water for
cook ing and drinking We drill four hours day
two hours company drill and two hours bait alion
or brigade drill. Saturdays we have no drill and
have all day to clean up. On Sundays we have
a general inspection of everything.
| The boys carry on all kind Of games for their
|
part of their time in reading; but valuable read.
ing matter is very scarce in camp. Such papers
as the Nashville Union and few more abolition
sheets are furnished us for which we have to pay
ten cents copy. They generally have one side
filled up with advertisements, and the other side
filled with abolition slang The Holmes county
Republican is always on hand. There are some
fifteen men in this regiment from Holmes county,
and do not know of one who ever was sub
scriber of the Republican. But notwithstanding
all this, there are about halt dozen copies sent
us weekly free Of charge, all in bunch with the
directions to distribute them. We, of course dc
not know who sends them, and think he need moi
trouble himself, as he cannot draw the wool ovel
our eyes. The Republican is generally fllet
with slang, personal abuses and patriotic letter.
| from soldiers all intended for party purposes
noticed some rery patriotic letters from this Re
gment, and if the editor knew the actions o
those men during the battle here, and the manner
in which they came to the army, he would be n
wiser man. "The pen is (wth thcm) mightier
than the sword" generally read the Repubi.
can and then take n dose OF rhcubarb and ,rOrk il
oG 1t works nicer than Jonathan O. Smiths
"Snaik lngin Root Yarbs." 1t is also queer that
the 1920 Rcg't. has so many great and devoted
patriots, men who wish to set forth the feelings
of the soldiers. Why was not the patriotism OF
the lO2d Reg't aroused when the first call was
made for three year volunteers, one year before
these patriots took their bloody step, and not wait
until the draft stared them in the face Barking
dogs seldom bite. The men that write home thai
they want no peace, that they would not 20 home
II they had chance, not soldiers in the ranks
with n musket on their shoulder, but are such as
lay around regmental and brigade headquarters
When We are on the march they have horse ol
a contrdband mule to ride; when we go into battle
they take position in the rear aud look after
the Coils or Gems mess chest. When the battle
is over and the rebels put to fight by whatever
sacrifice required, they come up and talk about
how acfH the rebels had to skeddddke, and ther
set their slang machine to work again.
Why should such men desire an honorable
/ peace They are above their natural rank here
ana if they were at home one half of them could
nol make an honest living, besides their actions
while in the army (were they known at home)
would disgrace them forever.
should be glad indeed if could get copy
of the Farmer occasionally, but it seems an utter
impossibiity, Some of the folks in Berlin write
me that they send me copy every week, but
never get them. | hear that the Postmaster al
Berlin examines every paper sent to the army
ana II 1t is Democratic paper he removes it and
places Holmes County Republican in its place
of which he always has a supply on hand
The Republicans think by keeping Democratic
papers from the army ard yelling copperheat
and butternut at Democrats, to gain the vote OF
the soldiers, but they are greatly mistaken. -
There are just as good and devoted Democrat
in the ranks as there are at home, and to hea
such men called copperhcads and butternuts by
these stay at home patriots is enough to maxi
one rebel.
Don't forget to send me the FARMER, if ther,
is possibility of its reaching me.
Yours, respectfully,
NJ f. YODER.