Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-08-19
Gbe Obio Statesman
LETTER FROM THE o5TH OHIO.
into Summer Our
Now Oamp-sottloment OF Clothing
AccOunt--FurlOugh etc.
JAMP, NEAR BLACK RIVER, Z
Fridav. Julv 81. 1863 {


CAMP, NEAR BLACK RIVER,
Friday, July 81, 1868.
On Thursday night, July 10, Johnston evac-
uated Jackson, taking with him every thing
movable. Our cavalry picked up large num-
ber of stragglers, who Of course reported John.
ston's army In demoraliEed condition, and ssid
that Bfeckinridge's command had become dis.
satiefed because Johnston would not make q
staud, and we're running off oil over the coun.
try.
Our army remained In and around Jackson
for week, or until Thursday, July 2S, when
we commenced retrograde movement. Our
division (Tuttle's) being 10 the lead started on
the back track about three O'Clock Thursday
morning. We are now encamped about five
miles from the Big Black river, where we ar
rived Saturday evening, July IS, on q small
stream called Big Bear creek, and ID is creek
to be sure, being about ten feet wide.
This place, It 10 said, Ia to be our summer
camp. After We get our tents and have clean.
cd up o little, Ii will be Q tclerably pleasant
place, for being right In the woods, we shall
have plenty of shade. Tho only thing there is
danger of our being short and 10 need Of, 10
wster-the most important thing Of all. We
are nowsupplied by few springs, but no doubt
they will soon be dried mp, and then We will be
In o bad fix. IH.r... ..Ha.gO
There was rumor the other day that we
were to remain here but ehort time, aud that
our corps was going down the river to Natchez.
Bat % have heard nothing Of II for the last
iorty. eight hours, II was, presume, merely
what We call ga camp rumor." We have but
little choice whether we 60 further South, or
remain out here, cus off from ell civilized soci-
ETY. .Glg Is -4a. 4sg.. ..,4 lI
We are expecting to be paid two months
wages either to-day Or t,.morrow. Our cloth
Ing account for the year 10 10 be settled at this
payment. The Government has charged me,
private, eIxty. five dollars for the years cloth.
ing Il has credited me with forty.two dollars
allowed for clothing, bringing me In debt twen-
ty-three dollars. Tsking this out Of twenty six
dollars, my pay for two months, will have on
ly three dollars left out Of my earnings for two
months. Almost all the boys' accounts range
about as high 80 mine, and some considerably
higher. s....-s.
Ae We are DOW in summer quarters, furloughs
are to be given to q certain percentage OF the
army. Seventeen have been granted from our
regiment and one from Company A. The fur
loughs are twenty dAys from departure from
Cairo. Each man has to bear his own expenses,
which, believe, is about half fare. ID will cost
q soldier from Central Ohio about thirty dollari
TO 20 home aud return. The next man leaves
In ten days after the FIRST one starts, and go on
men going and coming every ten days.s AT ell
events, this is the way understand II. have
been In qusndary whether TO spply for o fur
Tough or not. ! should like very much to SET
home once more and ell the friends there, bu
am hesitatipg as to whether Il will pay to in
cur the expense Of the trip to remain at home
only 9 couple Of weeks. o, how wish wt
were oil going home on long and final fur
Tough 8. W q.