, 1864-01-19
FROM THE DEPARRMEf]7 OF
the SOUTH.
The 39th 4il.7 Fates' Phalaax, In
tie Veteran Service and or its
Way E0me---a Veteran
Regiment.

Especial Correspondence Chicago Tribuuc.1
HnToN HAD, s. C., Jan- 3, 1864.
Now that the holidays have passed, the S9tt
Illinois has come to attention, aud, as Arte
mus Ward says, presents "stat4s quo.'
Bacchus has slightly come 1t over Mars IL
this department; during the last few days.
His grim old visage has greatly relaxed be.
meath the modifying influence Of the merry
gods "s'ai'e'," Of which heretofore he has
been rather chary, at least VIC have hard
work to sec them.
Through the persuasive eloqucuce Of our
worthy Colonel, and his field anit-staff, who
seem to be on good terms with his majesty,
Judging from the way they t'snile'' OCCASION.
ally, he condescended to visit the 30th on
: Christmas eve; for that OCCASION surprise
supper was gotten. up in the most approved
army style, for the line officers OF TIC regi-
ment. As we are located in country fifty
years behind times though it be, that abounds
in fat oysters, and other luxuries peculiar to
this climate, you can form something Of IN
idea Of the good things that were put beyond
the reach Of rebel hands on that evening.
Every thing went merry as a marriage befl
there we're no bellies.
The compliment was returned on New
9enr's eve, by the line officers, who camo
fnlly up to the occasion On New Years day
the crowning feast came of, in the shape Of d
Regimental dinner'' prepared and admin
istered by the officers to tthemen
The table, extending nearly the entire
length Of our beautiful camp, made o.by the
artistic skill of Illinois boys, was loaded
down with oysters, fruits cakes and other
delicacies, that called up memories Of the
days before we went q :ssso1diering,' sc and
made us for the time forget that We are men
Of Far, whose business It is to fight when We
nrnnffnnffU Iron yaYf
reviews, undergo more frequent inspections,
practice upon shard tack'' three times day,
with army beef thrown in inst often enough
to:make it rare.
Our officers, with their white aprons, acted
in the capacity Of walters with becoming
tors IN the shade, They certainly exhibited
qualities that could command success In any
first class hotel in the land.
The order in relntion to recruiting in what
is denominated the 'Vcteran Corps" reached
us about the commencement Of the holidays,
and has been the absorbing topic Of all minds
ever since. .
Lieut.. c. Knapp, Of Co. D, was appointed
recruiting officer, and has been hard at work
night md day enrolling the names of au who
desire to enter that service. And nobly has
the 99th responded to this call Of our Gov
crnment. Out Of 500 men, the aggregate
strength Of the regiment, over three-fourths
VI tue AunutE HAst Cout 1OtWa[Q anu Gu
rolled themselves as Veteran Volunteers, md
arc now ready and expecting to turn our
faces HlinoisWard once more. May be before
this meets the public eye, there to enjoy
short respite with our friends, and
after recognizing be, otr to the field
again for another three. years' CAM
the ]. Davis thieyocraey shall be swept away
and our glorious old 1aS shall be honored
md respected all over the Iand. NotWtth-
standing the 39th ia the sole representative Of
Illinois in this department she has turned ont
more veteran volunteers, according to the
testimony Of the commanding general, than
II for Illinois," is not unftequently heard us
we mingle with men of other States. In re-
gard to active movements In this department
we can find but little to write; for such move
ments are getting to be rery unusual hero. On
Christmas Eve our batteries on Morris Island
re-opcned on Charleston soon after midnight,
setting q portion Of the city in flames, which
from the fact that it continued eight hours,
burning from about two until ten O'Clock in
the forenoon
For several days back we have been having
very rough weather, and very cold for this
section Of the country; Ice over an inch in
thickness has been produced in one night,
cold snaps as well as the more ftigid North.
One Of the effects Of q recent storm was the
washing ashore Of another rebel obstruction.
at the entrance Of Charleston harbor. It WAS
a novel iron cable, composed Of entire 7 rails
linked together. Wind and tide seem to be
doing more for the Union at present than
what the latter has thus fnr failed to do.
With the elements and Providence on our
side, VIC ought certainly be able to defeat
BeauregA1d. H A. P.