Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-02-18
From the ls5th Regiment.

C,NP NEAR NasHvuLE, Tenn, Feb. III
H.. C1ro.;,L.. We are at last arrived
in the midst of Seceshla- we landed al
Tssbriue on the Sth inst. having accom-
nI;sbed the trip without accident.
The country along the Cumberland is
mostly very wild, presenting only occa-
sional marks of cultivation. The rude
log huts scattered along its banks, remind
one more of the wigwams of the aborig-
inees, than of habitations of civilized be-
ings. The greetings we received by the
inhabitants was not of that character cal
culated to awaken enthusiasm. Only on
one occasion did we hear cheers for the
Union.
We arrived at Fort Donelson on the
evening of the fight, about i've hours too
late to participate in the victory. was
on the battle ground early next morning,
and saw the ravages our gallant soldiers
had made with the hordes ofsecession.-
| Scores of dead rebels covered the ground;
some with ewes out-torn, some with skulls
opened to the wind, some pierced thro'
the BODY. and others minus limbs, and
mangled in every conceivable way
Horse and rider lay side by side, then
blood comingling as they fell. On every
side CLASSY eyes upturned to the sunlight
only made the scene more horrid. Few
c-ountenances were placid. From most
one would turn quickly away shuddering
lest the distorted image should become
indelibly impressed, and haunt him as &
spectre ever afterward-
Considering the forces engaged, 1t wa:
a most glorious defeat of the rebels ano
can scarcely be exaggerated. L hope 1
may be only one of a succession of dlsas
tiers which the rebels shall experience
until they are forced to lay down ther
arms. and the Union shall be again estab
lished in all its former power.
l do not believe, as has sometime
been stated, that the Army of the South
west is discouraged. From the best In
; formation 1 can gain, it Is contented
willing to suffer more than it has vet SUI
fered, that the country may be Delivers
from its present difficulties. The pair.
otto fire that burned so fervently tw
wears ago has not abated neither is low
for the stars and stripes decreasing. W
f do not love our country less because 1t
.m: ill ,ra avar shrink from III
> s%upport. Better that we should all pei
ish than that a cause so netarious, so III
fljust, so void of every principle OF RICH
f as that urged against US, should succeed
/ Shame on those at the North, who, hay
r ing enjoyed the delights of a free gov
eminent, are now unwilling to defend
from its ~destroyers; and, after a shol
struggle of two years, in 0hieh they ha'
Y not engaged, are now willing to propose d
Armistice or Peace ConGentioR! Did the
possess jone drop of noble, patrloti
blood, they would scorn to to make sue
advances to a foe that had treated thei
only with insult. Propositions for Peac
SnOulu not conle lroLu IN
aggressors. To make such offer is but
bow at the feet of those who would tran
pie us in the dust, and laugh at the GOV
ardly spirit that had thus humble
itself.
Pardon this depression. | only inten'
ed to write a few facts more immediate
connected with the l25th regiment.
We shall probably be joined to Kos
Grams command shortly /; and, as the e
tire force with us does not fall mut
short of thirty thousand, you may expe
to hear of work being done in this i
partment soon.
Respectfully yours.
CEYLON.