Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-06-10
- Correspondence Of the Journal.
LETTER FROHI THE 169TH o. v. 1.

CoNAcnpOaucuCcOA
LETTER FROAI THE 169TH o. v. /.
FoRr ETHEN ALLEN, Va, June 1st, 1864
EDITOR JoURNAL:-We at last are established,
don't understand me to mean permanently, for
there is no such thing in. the army. After you
are in the employ of Uncle Samuel you never
know how long you are going to stay at one
place, or when you may have an order to move.
When say established, l mean for the present.
This is very strong fOrtifcation, mounting
great many heavy guns,with some eighteen field
pieces. The boys all feel as though if any of
the rebs make. their appearance, they will; be
ready to give them the best they have, which
would be very warm reception. Weare situ-
ated in what / would term healthy locality.
The surrounding country presents beautiful
landscape-it is very broken and hilly. We
are somewhat elevated and can see for miles
around US. Before the war broke out this was
all dense wood, The ground having been
covered with a thick growth of shrubbery and
underwood. We can see some ten or dozen
forts from the parapet of this one, and, in my
estimation, the rebs would have a sweet time
(to use familiar phrasel of getting into see
Father Abraham. -
We have nothing very stirring in camp at
present. 1t is drill, dress parade, inspection,
&c., all the time. We had general inspection
yesterday, and were complimented very highly
by the inspecting officer asbeing one of the first
and finest regiments among the volunteers for
one hundred days from our State. Some ex-
citement was created in camp yesterday by the
regiment being ordered out under arms, TIE
boys turned out with alacrity, and the reg
iment was formed in double-qnick time, each
man supposed that there was going to be hot
work somewhere, but instead of that the order
was given stack arms, and We were marched
off to the fort to try our hand on the big guns
for the first time. We shall drill hereafter in
artillery as well as infantry tactics.
Our pickets are bothered some by guerrillas.
There is a band of MOsby's cavalry lowering
around. Last Sabbath there was a squad of
them committed several depredations on the
Union men, some six or eight miles up in the
country, stealing horses and sundry other things.
A squad of our mounted pickets got on their
track and succeeded in shooting their Lieuten-
ant dead, and wounding and taking prisoner
three of their men. - -se
Our Colonel is Post Commander here and is
putting things through in true military style.
He with our Lieut.. Colonel Major and Adiu-
tant are all men of the right stripe. The boys
have the greatest confidence in them, as field
officers, and feel as though they were second to
none. Lieut.. krebs is acting Provost Marshal
for the present with every assurance that he
will get the appointment as such. He is the
right man in the right place. No one is better
fitted than he to fill the position. He is having
his hands full of work. He has the hearing and
settling of all grievances. misdemeaDOrs and
depredations committed in the district under
his jurisdiction. He also can furnish you a pass
to go to and fro. Should you or any Of the
friends pass this way you can do no better thar
by calling on the Lieutenant, with the assur.
ance that you will find him at his post.
The first member of our regiment that wai
called away by death. was Grant Holeomb,
member of company g, formerly member o
company @. He died on the morning oftht
Both ult He was good and faithful comrade
and as a soldier none were more ready and will.
| ing to do duty than was he. He was taken sicI
while in Washington, but bore up until he came
here, when he was removed TO the hospital anG
died, only having been i'll about one week. Hc
leaves wife and two children with a large cir,
Gle of friends at home as well as in the regi
ment to mourn his loss. He passed away with,
out murmur even struggle, one gasp,
shudder, and all was over. Thus passed ava,
the first of our number. l.se .r'4l
Then weep not friends, though he is gone,
A righteous cause has called him hence;
He died as heroes died, alone,
He died in freedom just defense.
i On fame S eternal camping ground,
He occupies tent of clay, 20
Though now he is lost he viii be found
| When earthly things shall pass away.
Then sleep brave soldier, take thy rest,
TIL God shall call thee from the tomb,
Then with the saints and martyrs blessed,
Arise to thy celestial home.
The health of the regiments good We hau
plenty of rations and plenty of good water, Their
being several good springs in the immediate
vicinity of the fort. We get our mail regularly
Allletters shold be addressed to the I69th Reg
10. v. l., Fort Eathan Allen, Va. ria Washing
ton, D. @. The sJostTTaJ comes to hand prompt
lly andis welcome visitor. B.
P S. Lieut.. Krebs this morning received hi
appointment as Provost Marshal from Gen. Au
CUR and ordered to report to Col. Wells, Pro
Vost Marshal General of Defenses South of tn
Potomac, at Alexandra, for instructions. B.