The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1863-01-09
FROM TuE IasD REGIMENT
PBrERsBURGH, Va, \
December 30, 1S62.}

this, we are still at this place. Since |
last wrote you, all the regiments have
left here but the l23d. Gen. Milroy and
staff have also gone, and everything !, as
quiet as any country village you ever
saw. The headquarters of the Brigade
are still here, although three of the regi-
ments have gone on. The l16th Is at
Moorefield and l22d and 10th have gone
on with the Virginia regiments of Clus-
erets Brigade, in the direction of Win
chester. Gen. Cluseret, as you may have
noticed, has taken Winchester, and was
there at last accounts. Winchester is 20
miles from here.
Gen. Milroy aud staff left yesterday
morning for Romney, as understand
where he will probably make his hss d.
quarters for awhile. Some seem to think
we are in some danger of being attacked
but do not think their fears have any
foundation.
think there is no considerable force
Of rebels nearer this, than the Shenando.
ah Valley. II is pretty hard country
South Of this, and what few Union men
there are, have been sorely persecutcd.
have met several who declared they had
not slept in their houses for months. II
would amuse you to see the old "Gray
Backs" or half-and-half men, come pok.
ing into town, with their old saddle-bsgs
on their horses aud begging for little
salt, or sugar, or coffee, or something ol
that sort.
They are suffering very much for the
ordinary comforts of life and many oi
them deserve to suffer more, for their Un-
ionism does not amount to row of pins.
They will not volunteer in the Union ar
my, nor try to keep the rebels out of the
country, aud the result is that they have
to suffer from both sides; and | do not
pity them much have met many noble
Union men in Virginia, but the majority
ofthem are a poor, poky, trining set, who
want to claim tho protection OF the Gov
ernment without making any sacrifices to
maintain il.
Yesterday one of our trains was at
tackled near Moorcfeld, by band ofrel-
cl cavalry, and some 40 horses were cut
loose and carried away. The word came
here after dark and detachments were
sent out to intercept them, but they were
too late. The scoundrels crossed the
river about four miles below here, an
hour or two before Co. B, of the l23d,
reached the spot. 1t was very bold af-
fair and will teach us to keep our trains
better guarded.
paid visit to Moorefeld, on Satur-
day, and found it one of the handsomest
and most enterprising towns / have seon
in Virginia. 1t is the county seat of IIsr-
dy county-is situated on the South
Branch, in one Of the finest valleys have
ever seen--has many handsome residen-
ces in ii, aud has every appearance of
having been a place of considerable
wealth and refinement. II has always
been one of the darkest Secesh holes in
Virginia, however, and the ladies in par
ticular, are said to be very bitter and ven
omous towards Union soldiers. They
turn up their pretty noses and look as
disdainlul as satan, when our troops pass
by. / think the boys of the l23d ought
to be sent down there to bring them to
terms.
Christmas passed off very pleasantly in
this portion of the army. The boys were
30 situated that they could not we'll re-
ccive presents from their friends at home,
but they pretty generally preseatcd them
selves with a nice fat chicken, or turkey,
o. something of the kind, and many Sc
ccsh henroost is in mourning for the loss
Of some of its most valuable occupants.
The boys were determined to go through
the motions of Christmas dinner, and
right well they did it. To-day a large
box of mysterious external appearance
md foiol odor arrived, to the address of
Capt. Chamber!in, and / rather guess
he Captain and his men have made an
assault at charge bayonets upon it, ere
his.
A good many of the l23d are sick
some in the general hospital at Cumb er.
land and some here-which reduces the
effective force Of the regiment somewhats
Several of the officers are home on sick
leave, including Capt. Shawhan Of Co.
D. The prevailing diseases are measles
and camp fever. l hear good many
as to the management of the
hospital at Cumberland. am afraid there
is screw loose somewhere.
The regiment has learned, with pro-
found sorrow, of the rather sudden death
of Capt. thinner, who has fallen an ear
ly victim to the fell Destroyer, and has
laid his life sacrifice upon the altar of
his bleeding country.
The scenery about here is very impos-
ing and, just at this time, aiter night has
drawn her sable curtain about her, brill
liant ring Of fire is slowly creeping down
the mountain side, on the other side OF
the river, like thing of life, in strange
contrast with surrounding influences. 1t
is indeed sublime picture. The moun n
tain has been set on fire by our pickets,
and it tspreads like an evil genius and
devours every thing inaammOble as it