The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-01-28

HEADQUARTERS 7TH UNIoNsVA. Vols.
CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA,
eHgsT Sc stz December 31st, 1862
Editor of the Wheeling Press: aaas -
For the information of our, friends
please give place in your columns to our
present whereabouts. Since our return
from the se-called battle of Fredericks-
burg, Virginia, to this, our former camp,
with view of again occupying our wig
vans, for time.s finding many of them
torn down, the hand of industry being
again vigorously applied, has renovated
land built anew our well-arranged city of
Ilog-huts, with the streets running at right
angles from Broadway Gas our boys call
Iit). The latter being laid out on a large
scale and used for evening dress parades
For one to take a view of our neat but
romantic temporary abode, and hear the
music of our camp boys, he would sup
ipose we enjoyed ourselves to the fullest
textent. 70 this I can only reply that we
do'as much SO as could be expected, con-
sidering our long absence from our fami-
lies and friends. which is. calculated to
weigh down the spirits of the most
buoyant minds, some of whom are asking
me day after day to read the letters just
received from their wives or, families,
pleading with them to get furloughs and
. come home for even a few days. 1 con-
sole them, not by reading all their letters
4 (for time will not permit ,sbutl l tell them
lit is. of no use for me to oread them. as
know about what is inithem. II Just got
one of, the same kind from my wife scold-
ing and pleading for me. to come home
] We cam get home. But console them
as do myself. Our families are in plen-
tiful country, surrounded by friends that
will not let any one of them suffer. Whilst
we must consider reurapparently comforta-
BILE fix, spared of our lives and permitted
to enjoy the good health we do; whilst so
many of our comrades Chat are as dear to
their friends as we are to ours, have fall
len by the wayside, some killed on the
battlefield, some wounded and dyingssons
in the hospitals, here and there, all over
the land; whilst we are yet spared to en-
ljoy, as we long have done our harmonious
camp circle, and our dear families and
| friends (no matter how anxious tosee us),
must consider we'll and view w7eur long alb
senee in the same Hght.ed' Sa7s sa' IS
By anxious daily inquiries Of DR.. Scott,
! who is now Medical Director and Surveyor
in-chlef of the division, after our wound
ed boys, am sure it will be no less graf
flying to their. friends to Know, than it is
to me that he assures me they are all do
ing as well as could be expected OF our
wounded boysI am only advised Of the
death of Isaac Moore. eff Company +, who
died of cannon shot wound, and the am
putation of one poor fellow arm, Robert
Mears, of Company r, whom 1 have seen
since his left arm was taken off, Poor
fellow, he Shed tears as he reached out his
odd hand. "a nice boy). 1t was feared by
DIR. Scott that many of the laeerated
wounds would cause amputation, butt am
glad | can say to our friends With conf
dence that there will be no more limbs
lost Tn battle like this, VIC think it a
great item to get through with all our
limbs, even if they should be lacerated by
shot or shell. Amongst the many hard
ships and dangers our regiment has passed
through, it being the only Virginia regi-
ment in this large army which has stray
ed SO far from their native country: the
name having frequently endangered our
lives, subiectipg us often, as We we're fred
into by11our own troops, In consideration
of, these dangers BY general order from
corps head quarters, our regiment will
hereafter be called and known as the 7th
i Union Virginia volunteers. All commu-
nications will be directed accordingly.
But, after, our application to the War
Department to be transferred, we received
/ their courteous reply inferrfng after the
i fight), and feeling assured as do, that
nothing would be left undone by the Gov
ernor of Virginia to bring to his fold this
lportion Of his scattered feck, we had
hoped ere this, to have been taken back to
1.-THE Western. Virginia Hills-the land OF
Jour nativity, we SO long have desired to
lsee. But it seems as yet we have been
hoping against hope, as our hopes havs
not been realized. s.
II But l am not one that despairs in the
| pursuit of a proper object, but hope to the
last.v The bloody battle has been fought
Eini which the 7th acted nobIy, her part
Il Might | suggest this a favorable oppors
tunity for His Excellency, to ask, at the
| fountain head in our behalf? a
i % Our Colonel, Louis Snider, being alb
sent, Wounded, hence my duties forbid the
, ltime,s or I would narratei somesof the long
! marches and hardships, endured and dan
gers encountered by the 7th Virginia
which would bear testimony to any re-
(quisition his excellency the Governor OF
our worthy Legislature might deem prop.
er to make in behalf of our transfer home
4 ward or to some land or camp of rest and
recruit. And here is another long march
in contemplation by some portion of the
army, and itwould not beinl keeping with
our former luck in marches1of in battle
: tif this our (Gibraltar) Brigade did MOI
i have ter head the advance; So if you heal
= of any portionbof this army moving you
may set it down for certain that the III
) Union Virginia Volunteers is leading the
stway The Ipapcrs Of West, Airuinia ,,eue