The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-06-10

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1 could not content myself anywhere ex-
cept in the army these times. Our Division
is now pleasantly camped some three miles
from Stafford. We have large, fine spring
of good water near by, and such springs
abound in Virginia We were inspected yes
erday afternoon by Gen. Howard All the
other Batteries in the Corps were also in
spected. In a very pleasant manner, he asked
all the Cannoniers numerous questions in re-
gard to their pieces, their duty, about the ca
issons, ammunition, of what composed, ran
ges, elevations, &C., but did not trap any of
tho boys. Then we had to drill, and unex-
pectedly came the command to dismount the
pieces and carriages. There was rattling of
implements for a few seconds, and down lay
men and battery fiat on the ground. At the
word of command, all were speedily mounted,
and we were firing at some imaginary enemy.
1t is a very pretty trick to do, if well done,
but we never dismount those heavy pieces in
action.
All the batteries did not come off so we'll
as we did. The General told two German
Batteries to return to camp and go to drilling,
and when they could drill like Dilger's Bat
terry, he would see them again.
Gen. Howard appears like fine man,
seems to notice everything, and does not put
on the amount of style that some Generals
do. 1 am inclined to like him, but somehow
l have not got the confidence in him, that
had in Sigel.
Our wounded boys have all been removed
to Washington, except Ii. S. Kennier from
Oberlin, who was not sufficiently recovered to
be removed. The boys have all been patient
and cheerful, and have borne their painful
wounds like true soldiers. Our Gunner, S.
S. Allen, was doing finely when he left.
The Democrats are going to have war at
the North are they ? think when some of
them find themselves staggering under a
knapsack and musket on a forced march, they
will "prophesy" there is war between the
North and the South, no matter whether their
party sticks together or not.
We now get the daily papers and you don't
know how eagerly we read and look for good
news from the West. I have not the least
idea what comes next in the programme of
the Army of the Potomac Our boys are all
well and jovial, and one would think they
had never seen fight, nor expected to.
l enclose short speech that Gen. Shurz
made US while we were in the Reserve Artille-
ry of the Corps. We were formed in line when
he spoke to us few words in substance, near
ly as enclosed.
GEN. scHURz's SPEECH TO DILGER's BATTERY.
os=l May Is, 1868.
"Officers and men of the Battery
In the disasters which have lately befallen
us, there is one organization that has main
tain for itself a fair reputation, and that is
! Dilgcrs Battery. From information received
from the enemy, the fire of your guns upon
their advancing columns, pressing hard our
shattered forces, was more destructive to them
than all others combined. In all the engage
mnnts in which have ever seen you, | can
say that never saw man leave his post and
go to the rear, or the Battery retire without
orders. May the same spirit that has actuat-
ed you in the past, prompt you to like con-
duct in the future. 1 am proud to say that
you formerly belonged to my Division-and
I am sorry you have been taken from it.
return thanks to you in behalf of my Divi,
sion, and l might add that of the whole
Corps. In the coming campaign upon which
We are about to enter, though you are mo-
with me as before | hone we shall be as close
to each other possible"
1 am inclined to think we shall remain il
camp but short time longcr-that one wing
or the other, or both will soon be in motion.