Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-12-08
.ondence Of the Sat Q ] ournal.

HEADQ'Rs 5TH REG. WIS. Vols, !
NEAR WINCHESTER, VA, Nov 20, 1854
LETTERS FOR THE BOYS
The mail has just arrived, and its contents
received by the eager, waiting ones. How
varied the emotions depicted on the coun-
tenances of each. How multiplied the re-
Elections thus exciteds Those who enjoy the
sweets of home association have but very
feeble idea of the wide place IN soIoieF
life filed up by good news from nome. Inc
absence Of these tokens of love leaves a Foiu
that naught else can fill. am postmaster OF
the regiment, that is, receive the boys
letters and send them away; and how often
have thought. as | have carried away near
" q husbel Of letters, that 1t was very doubt
f,l wLather ANYTHING like the same amount
wonId he sent two months hence, even if the
number of men remained unchanged.
The bows are just from home; they still
have vivid remembrance of home associa-
tions and home faces. Their thoughts and
hearts are still with loved ones, and hence
the frequency of their writing ~ intend to
keep all the while letter on the road to my
wife" says one, and his is the common feel
ING of our new men. Some, many | doubt
not, will retain this spirit; and why? They
will be remembered by the dear ones of life,
to home, to virtue and to God.
Let me give you a touching example in
illustration of this. 1t is an extract from a
letter of the mother of private Jas. NJ.
Croach, who was then sick in hospital at AL
exandria, and has since died. After assuring
him of her having written several letters,
and her intention to write at every Opportu-
nifty, and counselling him as to his disease,
she thus concludes:
would be glad if 1 could have the privilege OF
taking of you, but that privilege is denied
III it possible l would come to you. l can do
no more than to hope and pray for the best. James
| want you to put your trust in the Lord, who
caretb for all his creatures. James, tear that we
shall never meet here in this world, but let SC
live that we may meet where parting will be no
m3rA, where tears are never shed. Dear child, how
can think OF never seeing you again II you are
taken hence to be here no more-if can only
know that your peace is made with Christ, and
you die happy in His love, that will be great com
fort to Goodbye, James If l never see you
more this troublesome world, may we meet in
heaven VII ere there is no trouble nor wars !! "
And this was the last missve of mothers
affection. How touching How could one
but feel the holy and eleyating influence of a
mothers love as thus manifested?
The faithful ministry of love, of wife, a
mother, a sister-what can there be more
hallowed, more divine? 1t is almost an i'm
raised and plunge into the fearful depths of
camp vice. Home is the center of the heart
of every virtuous soldier. Often when temp
tatiou would conquer is their power broken
by such words as these. BY such loving COM
pulsion but make the soldier feel like inQuir-
ing at every step, "What will my companion
IN life say my much-loyed mother =? my dear
sister ?"-niake him thus to feel that he is
son, husband brother, still, and he will hon
or those relations, he is safe. One class of
these boys will be thus saved-l would could
say all for shudder as l think of the chill
ling influence of neglect. If in the future
these boys become sunken and debased, the
broken wreck of manhood only remaining let
those who bear to them the endearing rela-
tions that woman fills, know that to an almost
unlimited extent, theirs is the fearful respon-
sibllity. wives, and mothers, sisters, all !!
in your hands is committed the moral destiny
Of these soldier boys Acquit yourselves
well of so sacred a trust
THE HEALTH OF THE SOLDIERS
is not as good as we could wish. This it
would seen is but the common lot of all our
regiments until they become acclimated,
Still our sick list is no doubt greatly increased
Dy being camped closely together III the
body of the army, and poorly supplied with
that great Indispensable, good water. Our
sick list for the past week was considerably
over one hundred. There are no types of
disease, however, except of a simple form,
and which readily yield to proper remedies
| may add we are highly favored in the char
acter of our surgeons, as men of skill and ex-
perience.
TIE SOLDIER PHRASES,
IN common use are not the least amusing
things of soldier life. "That's what's the
matter" is appended to almost every asser-
ton of interest. Glow are y0U ?" &c, is in
frequent use, when one wishes to give ex-
preston to fun-making spirit or derision.
"Old Abe's platforms is one of the express
i've cognOmens given to our pieces OF hard
bread, or "hard tack" in common use.
THE ARMY SITUATION
Remains in State QUO. Your readers are no
doubt aware that our army recently made a
retrogade movement ten miles from their po-
sition at Cedar Greek. The object of this as
nearly as we who are not possessed of mill
tary secrets can Judge, was two-fold to pre-
vent a surprise or flank movement on the
part of the rebel army, and if possible in
duee them to fight, and also draw them far
Their from their base of supplies, while we
approached our own. While at Cedar
Creek a fight at almost any time was a
looked-for event, and for some days in
succession our army was kept in constant
readiness. For two or three days after reach
ing our present camp our cavalry was con-
stantly skirmishing with the rebels, and we
thought they might attack u.s. That they
would do so has been and is our strongest
wish for, with but ordinary success, we
would well-nigh annihilate the rebel ARMY -
The Nation may rest assured that If Early's
successor attempts to gain possession OF this
Valley, he will meet with a terrible over
throw. 1t is the settled destiny of the army,
let by the glorious Phil. Sheridan, to win =
The 9th corps even, with Sheridan for lead
er, believes itself sufficient to cope with any
force the rebels can here send against us
The spirit of our army is buoyant and hope
full beyond the most far-reaching conception
of any friend who may hesitate.
1t is not probable all of the troops now
here will remain in the Valley during the
present winter. One corps may remain here,
(such is the general impression,) to garrison
Winchester and protect the Winchester and
Harper's Ferry railroad, which is rapidly be-
ing repaired, and on which they will receive
supplies, while the other corps are sent where
there is more active work. Many seem to
think that the other corps will be sent, one
to Petersburg and one to Wilmington, n. c.
But this is little more than guess-work. Of
this, however, our friends may rest assured,
,cherever ace go, ace go to ujctory!
Yours, &c., B. c. HAMMOND,
Chaplain 9th Regiment.