Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-20
A Week with the 1O5tb.

RDIToR LEADER 81 propose to give you a
kind Of panoramic view of the 1O5th for one
week, though do not expect to present a
beautifully drawn picture, yet hope your
readers-Our friends-may get from it at
least faint idea of what we are doing, how
we do it and what We see while doing.
Monday, March I'd, we cleaned arms, had
inspection, filed cartridge boxes, and bad a
general time q getting ready for an sxpedi-
tion of some kind, We knew not what; but
being satisfied from the preparations we were
t. meet the enemy, our work was done with
aIacrity. Tuesday morning found US in
readiness, and we were early marching to-
wards the front. Our force consisted of the
whole Of General Reynolds division. A
march of twelve miles brought US to Ready
vile, the headquarters of Colonel HaEen.
Here We found the gallant 4lst and the brave
9th Indiana. To afford you en- idea of the
spirit animating these regiments will give
you sample. When an expedition against
the enemy is being organized, instead of
making a detail of mon to 90, the detail con-
sists Of those who are to stqy in camp. And
these will try to get others to stay and let
them go. They seem to enjoy nothing bet
ter than brush with the rebels.
But the I05th is my text. We camped in
a cedar forest upon a side-hiIl, and made
booths to sleep in from the cedar bOughs.
The pickets and guards being set, the re-
mainder sought sleep. In the morning for
aging expedition was sent out which Eeturned
towards noon we'll loaded, and without being
molested by the butternuts. At eleven o'clock
Wednesday night, a heavy force was sent out
towards BradyviIle. The IO5th made de-
tour over the hills through the forests, SO as
to come upon the rebel flank or rear.
But after all their climbing, and si-
lent night marching, the rebels had
skedaddled when wO got where we ex-
pected to find them. Our only satisfaction
was obtained by warming our cold fingers by
he deserted camp fires. The rebels had fed
in great haste, leaving victuals cooking over
the fres. We returned to our camp Of ce-
dsrs by more direct route.
Friday we marched out on the MeMinn-
vile pike for the purpose Of paying visit
to Morgan's forces quartered in the village
Of Woodbury.. One brigade marched directly
upon the town, while Colonel Halls took off
to the left, up a small creek, for the purpose
Of coming in upon the rear Of the rebels,
while the first brigade held them by an at
tack in front. We marched in the creek,
across it and along it for four miles, the rain
falling in torrents. Our skirmishers were in
front and flank. Then we climbed the noun
tain and followed the meandering ridge for
two or three miles. Then down the long
steep hillside into the dark ravine below
Here we came upon a rebel picket. One Of
the pickets fred his gun at US, ran and
escaped, though forty or fifty guns were fred
at him. The other two men, with their
horses and arms, feH into our hands. 4 little
further on we came upon another picket post,
buE tho men escaped. Two miles further We
captured two men and two horses. Soon aS-
ter the Gspt1re Of the first piokets, we enter
ed the valley Of a stream so swollen by the
heavy rain that we found il more than knee
deep. This we had to ford FIVE times before
we came into the rear Of the town. The
brigade was halted one-half mile from the
village, but the rain was falling in such tor
rents that we could see but little way, and
could not tell whether it was occupied by blue
coats or buttsrnuts. Our scouts soon re-
ported however that NJ organ had fed and we
had not bHgged our game.
Had we been twenty minutes earlier We
would have had q chance to draw bead
upon about three hundred of the rusty
scamps, who were the rear guard Of the fee
ing rebels. We marched into town and
quartered in the public buildings for the
night. We slept in our wet clothes and
blankets upon the foOr, but our sleep was
not rest.
Saturday morning, after our breakfast Of
hard bread and coffee, we crossed the creek
now swollen to a large riVer-Rnd lay in
line of battle for nearly two hours. But the
rusty coats not offering to attack us we took
up our line Of march for our cedar camp.
Here we remained over night, and Sunday
morning filling our wagons with corn from
the cribs Of secesh citizens, We started on
our return tocamp near MurfreesbOro' where
we arrived late in The afternoon, wet and
tired, for it was raining.
Monday the regiment went out on picket,
and passed another twenty-fOurs in the pelt-
ing rain.
Such is q poor picture for one week of
what the l05th has to endure. I have neg
lected to mention one rainy night, Saturday
night, during which we lay in the open air.
But rainy night is not the worst thing q
soldier has to encounter. Disafection with
the war policy at homo gives US more pain
thar the hardshiPs we endure here. We ex-
pected fatigue, sickness and death, but did
not expect our friends at home would turn
their backs upon us while We remain in front
of the enemy. Let them speak words Of en-
cOuragement and cheer to US, and all will
yet be we'll. E. R. M.