Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-03-31
From Lieut.. Mason, goth Regt.
CAMP NEAR COLUMBUS, KY, !
March 10th. 1863

the thought occurs that | had promised
YOU a letter. But when | take into con-
sideration that you have numerous and
more able correspondents than myself, you
may not be surprised that | have not writ
ten before.
The weather for some days past has
been very fine. Spring is with us in all
its tender beauty; the grass and early
flowers, under the influence OF old Soils
warm rays, have made their appearance in
the gay attire Of early spring, addingmuch
to the brightness Of this most interesting
season of the year. The season above all
others when the mind Of the soldier, ener-
waited by the soft breezes of southern
cline, wanders back to the friends lie left
behind IN the North land, recollecting they
too, are left lonely-that they are about
to realize season when true the princi-
pies of nature, and the effect Of mild at
mosphere the flowers native to the climate
will soon spring forth,as they are wont TO
Go, but to the mind of that wife and TO the
eyes of those children and friends whose
thoughts are continually burdened with
snxeties for the safe and speedy return Of
the soldier father and brother; will those
spring flowers appear in the same beauty
as in former times? But such is life. The
motto of the world is 'change" change
Of times, places, circumstances, in fact Of
the very natures and dispositions Of men.
| had never supposed during the earlier
years of nv manhood that myself or neigh
Dor was warlike, yet such seems to By the
fact. We in common with our country,
are struggling in the meshes Of discord.
and surrounded by all the pharaphernalia Of
war; the most extensive the world has any
record of.
Ireturned to our company on the oath
of February last, or thereabout, and found
the health of the 25th much improved
from what it was at Camp Randall, and |
am happy to say that our health continues
to be good. We are rather pleasantly sit
uated, being camped near Fort Halleck
upon the bluff of the Mississippi which, has
an altitude from the waters edge at this
place o. about two hundred feet.
This pointer bluff overlooking the town
of Columbus, and the river for some miles,
but little more than one year ago, was one
of the strongholds OF rebeldom. Their
works were thought by the rebel leaders 10
be mpregnable, and inaccessible from ey
cry direction which they supposed there
was any probability Of an attack-them
selves little thinking that Fort Donaldson
was doomed to fall 50 soon, which natural
ly commands the country for many miles
in extent along the Mississippi, although
situated at distance from Columbus OF
more than sixty miles. The works here
are very extensive, consisting Of all sorts Of
defences such as real forts, stockades, and
rifle pits, sufficient 10 cover all the armies
Of the confederacy.
This country very much 'aminds me OF
the tabled regions ofold Pluto, minus the
chickens, pigs aad geese the old fellow used
to have around him. Knowing this see
ton has been richly stocked with all the
things, | will leave the matter Of determin-
ING what has become of them with you.
Everything which we have been brought
10 contact with here bears the marks ofWar.
Town lands, both timbered and farm, or
chards, fields, &c, all tell the same tale OF
sorrow and devastation. Ruination siares
YOU in the face from all directions.
AS to the sentiments Of TIE people, |
am unabIeto say whether they are as
majority loyal or otherwise. Nearly all
will tell you that they want tue old union
but how they would talk to
jeff. Davis and his coufederates | am un-
prepared to say, but think many Of them
would rather see the rebel army in posses
sion here than ourselves. Some would be
very well satisfied if they could be assured
that our leaders were honest; if we could
them that we do not .want thar
negroes to raise our wheat, rye, oats, 20
atoes, &c., up North, the name OF Yankee
hey have learned to hate without really
showing the nature OF the creature. They
believe that we really have an affectiona.e
liking of the black race and want them for
our own use, you will understand that 1t
makes but little difference from what state
outside of Dixie man halls be is a
Yankee. These opinions of the northern
people have no doubt been honestly form
ed, but hope the time will soon come
when they will learn that we are not so
bad as they supposed; that we mean no
harm to them or theirs, and that the PEG
people Of the North, are peaceably dispos-
ed, unless the interests Of the country are
in danger of being destroyed by designing
men. such as jeff. Davis and his friends,
who understand The secret Of bis motives
A very singular affair occurred here a
few DAYS since. Sometime in the early part
Of the present month, there came man 70
this town. (CoIumbus,) by the name 2f
Rogers, who it is said resided in the State
Of Tennessee. However. Rogers took
rooms at the Columbus Hotel; to appear
ance he was in every respect gentleman,
man Of fine proportions, being Of large
statue, athletic and finely formed.
On the morning Of the 9th inst, Sergt.
knight of Cassvile, who was doing guard
duty near the hotel, was startled by the