Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-02-04
Our Belmont Boys in the Army of
the Cumberland..Letter from Hon.
John Welsh. ..--.- .s,.i

| LDIlOh OHhoNlCLE: fernapS q feW lines
from Dixie may interest you. | arrived
here Jan. 9TH Since my arrival have
met with number of our Belmont county
boys. l.ls.s.l ,... .... .o,.s.. .. .,t
The 18th Ohio is not here at present, but
is expected here soon. We have reports
that the 18th has re-enlisted in the veteran
service. .........,,..,..
1t requires three fourths of the efficient
members Of an old regiment to re enlist, in
order to get mustered into the veteran SER
vice.. Those members Of old regiments who
do not re-enlist with the balance of their
regiment, will be transferred to other regi.
ments
The SD Ohio and 9Sth Ohio are encamp-
ed with Davis division, two miles East of
Mission Ridge, in the vicinity of the Chick
amauga battlefield. The regiments in this
division appear to be in fine spirits, and
were busy engaged in getting up comfort
able quarters. They have plenty of timber,
(pitch pine and small oaks, good for fuel
and building camps, and the boys were ma
king good use Of it. .....,..
took dinner with Capt Hutchison and
Lieut.. Armstrong, of company Il, SD Ohio.
They we're in good health and fine spirits
The Captain was just finishing the top of
his tent chimney, with the red clay of
Georgia, which aboun1s SO extensively there
: and elsewhere in the Southern States. The
Captain is brave and noble-hearted fellow;
always ready to lead his boys where duty
calls-and they are always ready to follow
5 him. ~,
Many of the old regiments have already
re enlisted, and returned to their homes, for
a brief period, and the work will still 20 on
about as fast as transportation can be fur
: nished. What commentary on the pat
riotism OF our self sacrificing armyl The
Army of the Cumberland hassuffered many
privations. In addition to hard fought bat
ties, the want of transportation has been a
? serious obstacle. Our soldiers have been
I scarce of clothing and rations. The first
week in January was quite cold here
Q frozen hard enough TO bear up six horse
: wagon, heavily loaded. But unbounded
patriotism and love of country have. tri-
umphed over all these difficulties. 's1g 'H
Z Our soldiers all appear to realize that
u the holding of Chattanooga as base oi
e operations will be fatal to the Southern
y Confederacy, hence the alacrity with which
? they have braved hunger aud cold, and ia
ken valley and mountain by storm. There
is change now for the better The rail
o road between Bridgeport and Chattanooga
is completed, and heavy freight trains com
menced running over it on the 18th inst
n Rations, sanitary stores, clothing and forage
{ are now being rapidly supplied .." IN.
The Sanitary and Christian Commissions
= are doing much for the sick and wounded
: in the hospitals here, but their usefulness
has been much curtailed by want of trans.
l. portation from Bridgeport to this place -
n This difficulty is also partially obviated by
G the opening of the Rail Road. ~ -'l.i n
a By request Of some Belmont county
e friends will give a few items in reference
g. to sending packages, &c, from home to
b friends in the army, through the Sanitary
s or Christian Commissions. In the first
T. place, oil the packages and goods, sen,
2 through either of these commissions, are
/ intended for general distrbution-no to
Q the well, but to the sick or wounded soldier.
Q in hospitals. find, however, that some
small packages and boxes, such as socks
, gloves, &C., and perhaps some fruits, dried
0 or in cans, have been forwarded, They aie
' put up in packages for the individuals ia
y tended, put into box, and directed to some
E officer in the regiment 1t is best TO direct
y to the Chaplain-if any to the Surgeon OF
! Colonel will do. fa '..l n aga ''"7 - .'
I But such boxes are liable to be opened by
inc agents OF THESE COMMISSIONS. tnink,
/ however, they are generally forwarded. But
, il is plain to oil that these Commissions
, have not the means 10 pay freight on every
thing that would be offered to 90 the army,
without reference to size or weight, OF
, whether the soldiers to whom sent were sick
or we'll. All fruits sealed upi cans should
be soldered-not sealed with wax-to pre-.
vent breaking open, and injuring other ar.
ticles in the same box. Cincinnati is the
nearest headquarters Of either of these Com.
: missions to which we can now send pack ages
for this army from Belmont county. sug-
! gest that the better way for our Auxiliary
, Societies to proceed, would be to raise a
T fund to pay for freight to Cincinnati Per!
haps a reduction of rates could be obtained
, in this way. Boxes sent by individuals pay
full rates. iaid ~ GI0I t5H
These Commissions have, 1 believe, done
much good service to the sick and wounded
|, soldiers, Notwithstanding il is subject to