Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-11-02
From the 1884 Reriment.
HEADQUARTERS % BRIGADE, Sd DIVISION, !
23D ARnT CoRPs,

HOW EeetS lDpelleQ 10 INFORM you OA Inc
condition in East Tennessee. You are
doubtless as familiar as words can make
you with the march of General Burnside's
army across the Cumberland mountains
to the liberation Of the loyslists of East
Tennessee, but you can never know the
tolls and difficulties of that tedious jour
ney. The Sd division moved from Dam
vile, Kentucky, on the 18th Of August,
and rested on the line of the Virginia and
East Tennessee railroad on the 4th day Of
September, making nineteen days Of al
most continuous marching, most Of the
time in the mountains, some days march
ing four miles and others over twenty. We
travelled over seemingly impossible roads,
at times the immense wagon train being
literally lifted up the rocky hills by the
strong arms of the soldiers who performed
this duty in addition to carrying their
heavy knapsacks rstions, accoutrements,
etc. History will place General Burnsides
march,across the Cumberland as second on
lyto the crossing of the Alps by Napoleon.
It was feat which the rebels believed i'm
possible for an invading army to accom-
plish. The indomitable Burnside did ac-
complish it, and that in SO short a time
that the dismayed rebels fed the country
without making even show Of resistance,
and now the army occupies the major pOr-
ton of that long-persecuted country, East
Tennessee. We hold nearly one hundred
and fifty miles of this great railroad route
and our forces are now pressing the enc
my farther eastward.
The 103d Ohio have been for some time
detached from the brigade, doing duty IN
our extreme eastern front, and at latest
accounts 10th inst.) were leading our sd-
vsncing column in pursuit of the fleeing
rebels. On the 9TH instant Companies D
and A, Captains Philpot and Stockwell,
had q skirmish with two regiments of reb-
ell infantry, losing several men, killed
wounded and prisoners. Being on duty
with the brigade at this point am unable
to give further particulars. l am told the
rebels gave our boys credit for good fight
ing, compliment with believe well
merited. Upon previous occasion when
the the brigade was in front Of the rebels,
at Csrter's depot, the l03d formed the sd-
vance line of skirmishers, within q few
hundred yards of the rebel works, for
twenty four hours and can testify, from
personal observation, that both officers and
men bore themselves like veterans.
Military operations are conducted with
the greatest secresy, and it is impossible
to relate much that transpires along the
lines. Suffice it to say, the army Is not
idle, but General Burnside keeps the en-
emy busy whenever they comes within
hailing distance. There can be no doubt
of the fact that the General is determined
to hold East Tennessee at all hazards, and
| there is not soldier in his command who
doubts his ability to do 80. He is almost
constantly. in the field and his presence
inspires the greatest enthusiasm among
the troops.
This is a wild, rough region-hilly and
mountainous withsl quite fertile. 1t
has been called fthe gransTy of the Con-
federacy," and not without reason, for by
dissrming the citizens, the rebels have
been able to hold the country with q small
force, and, a majority Of the people being
loyal, they have stripped their farms and
shipped the product to their armies else
where This railroad may apply be termed
"the backbone Of the Confederscy" for il
is the main line from east to west, over
which troops have been rapidly moved to
meet emergencies at either end, and over
it have been conveyed the supplies for the
rebel army in Virginia. If the Govern
ment will but hold this road, and occupy
Atlanta, Georgia, which is the very heart
Of the Southern railroad system, the rebel
lion will be completely within the folds of
Z" the Anaconda and the close Of the war
nigh at hand.
East Tennessee is one Of the most pic
turesque countries in the world. From al
most any hill one can obtain view Of the
| Cumberland Mountains on the North, and
the Blue Ridge away to the Southwest
The latter, with its ethereal crown of blue,
when gilded by the bright rays of the set
ting SUP, presents one Of the grsndest
sights the eye ever beheld. The mingled
blue and gold form gorgeous tent that
no painters pencil can reproduce. At this
season the forests are srrsyed in their
gsudiest autumnsl attire, the colors of
which appear much richer and brighter
than have ever beheld in the woods Of the
north The wooded ravines and rocky
streams add a romantic beauty to the
scene such as have seldom witnessed.
Wheat has been confscated from the dis
loyal and purchased from the loyal millers
have been detailed from the ranks, ovens
constructed, and the troops have been sup
/ r15oI aoff T..
hogs will be slaughtered and converted in
to bacon. Everything is being done to-
ward enabling the army to subsist itself.
If we can get such articles as sugar and
coffee from the north, we can live in East
Tennessee any required length of time,
We miss our mail matter, which comes
seldom, and in small quantities. 1 sadly
miss the LEADER, having received but two
copies since oar arrival on this side of the
mountain.
Yesterday, as you are aware, was cleo
ton day, and, judging from what 1 saw,
honest John Brough received q big support
at the hands Of the soldiers. Idon't think
and FoSee BPPtfT PfRH4sa' IN 1Sf% borgsSso
drenching rain, to cast vote for Brough
and against the traitor Vallandighsm. 1
know others who did the same. There
are no Ohio troops stationed here at pres
ent, and the few here on detached duty
were compelled TO go to Knnxville to at
tend election, and they thought it as much
duty 10 vote against traitors as to fight
against them. I did not learn Of single
Vallandighsm ballot being cast. Those
who voted for treason, il there were any
such, did it sneskingIy, as became such
an act. Yours truly, D.
Violation of the Pest ONCE Laws.
The Datrnit nanara aau tharn Ia nnrnid