The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-10-15
COMMUNICATIONS.
The Eleventh Corps.

To the Editor Of the Press:
As every reader of the newspapers, north
and south, knows that the Army of the Cum
berland has been reinforced by Howard's and
Slocum's corps, it may now be of interest to
the friends of the lth to trace the route taken
by it, and TO note some incidents connected
with the journey.
THE b. & o. r. II.
Following the Potomac from Point of Rocks.
through Harper's Ferry, Martinsburg and
Cumberland, to Piedmont, the Baltimore and
Ohio r. Il. which has become famous in this
war, turns from the Potomac to seek the Ohio.
Going up the Mountains from Piedmont TO
Altamont is very heavy grade, ll6 feet to
the mile for II miles. 1t passes through many
tunnels, some over mile in length, and often
makes very sharp curves as the road winds
through the mountain gorges. Some of the
curves with very short radius often equals a
quadrant, and in some instances semi-circle.
Passing along the side of the hills one will see
deep gorge several hundred feet almost per-
pendcular below, while it is nearly as steep
for as great distance above. From Piedmont
on the Potomac the marks of civilization are
not very numerous.
The Eleventh Corps passed over the Balti-
more g. Ohio X. r. just in time TO escape in
terruption from the rebel cavalry sent out to
place impediments in their course, and came
in sight Of the Ohio River on Monday after
noon, Sept. 2sth, and crossed it at Bellaire
three miles below Wheeling.
WHEELING.
While the-freight was being transferred from
the ears of one railroad to the next, an oppor-
tunity was afforded Gen. Howard and some
members OF his staff to see Wheeling and the
country surrounding.
Wheeling is smoky, smutty, sooty, dingy
place, but is got up for city with houses
mostly Of brick, streets well laid out and gen.
orally paved. A wonderfully fine wire bridge,
high enough TO permit navigation, spans the
Ohio. The population is now about 10000 or
10000 and cinders, SO characteristic of the
town, are mostly caused by the glass and iron
manufactures, of which there are number
Immediately in the rear Of the city are
large and high mountains and underlying
them vast iron and coal mines, the mouths of
several being visible from the city.
Wheeling, like Batimorss st the commence
ment of the war, seemed at loss to determine
whether to be loyal or not, and actually sent
to the Rebel army two full companies but no
city is more loyal to-day, and it is now quite
rendezvous for union troops, and depot for
Federal horses for the cavalry service.
About IL o'clock p. NJ. the trains started on
the way to indianapolis, via GAINESVILLE, CO.
lumbus, Xenia, Dayton and Richmond, Ind.
AtColumbus the troops received many kind
attentions, but at
where the train stopped over half an hour,
just before sunset, the General and his troops
were greeted with perfect ovation. Ladies.
gentlemen and children thronged the train its
whole length, some thirty cars, and loaded
down the soldiers with all kinds of eatables.
When they found Gen. Howard's car, the la
dies came along in succession and shook hands
with him as he stood upon the platform. They
heaped upon him and his staff their gifts of
pies, cakes, sandwiches, apples peaches and
most abundantly grapes. A dozen or two
beautiful little girls brought papers for the
General to write his name upon, which he did
for as many as possible till the trains started.
AT DAYTON,
the home OF Vallandigham (if an outlaw has
home) where they arrived about eight o'clock
in the evening, they were serenaded by Union
songs from the young ladies', and as the boys
were hurrahing for Brough pronounced Brut)
the Republican Candidate for Governor in op-
position to Vallandigham.
AT INDIANAPOLIS.
the trains were again unloaded and the freight
placed upoa other cars for Jeflersonyille oppo-
site Louisville on the Ohio At indianapolis
Gen. FL. had an interview with Gov. Morton of
Ind, and other gentlemen.
The journey from Wheeling to indianapolis.
as much OF 1t as was passed in the DAYTIME.
was rendered agreeable TO all by the enthusi-
asm with which train after train of troops was
greeted. fa 9t
The soldiers were obliged to go in freight
cars owing TO the great demand for cars, and
to prevent discontents from deserving at the
'wood and water places. All the regular
trains We're interrupted by the trains convey
ing troops. This fact alone ought to quiet
the anxiety which many have felt for Rose
Grams. The best troops in the service are long
before this under the command of the able
Generate Of the Veteran Army of the Cumber-
land. C,r-u,xcp
A Voice from Western Virginia