Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-06-07
FoRr LrKooLH, May 20, 1864, /
Co. F. $50 Reg. ON. G. (


Co. F. $50 Reg. o. N. g.
left us at the Soldiers Home. Before giving
your readers my itsms in rsgari to the Rsg-
iuent, let me give you vieE of the Old Sol
diers' Home and tho National BuryiDg
Ground wherein rspose all soldiers who have
died in hospitals in and around Washington,
when not removed by friends. The Home
is finely located about three miles distant
from the city, containing three hundred acrts
The grounds srs tsstefuIIy laid out, and the
buildings have been erected at great ex-
pense. The main one is constructed of Ma
rylaud marble, has high tower which has
been used during the war as a signal station,
aud can be seen for miles around, in every
direction. 0ne of the dwelling houses is
used in summer as the country residence tf
tho President. The Old Soldiers are very
jealous of their rights. An old veteran re-
marked to me, "We lot Uncle Abe come du-
ring the hot weather, but he has no right
here. He must live in the house we don't
want to use."
The institution is sustained by the pensions
of the inmstoS, and revenue Of so much psr
month out of the wages of the regulars. Who
would not be sOldier2
Near the Home is the noted country resi-
dence of Corcorsn, the banker, the boon COM
pRnion Of SHdeI and Mason, q fugitive
from his immense wealth, awaiting, at Paris,
the result of the great rebellion.
Upon the land belonging to the Homo is
one of the National Csmetriss, covering an
area of Eve acres. The remains of soldiers
have here been inferred at the expense Of
the Government. No pains Is being spared
to make 1t g fitting receptacle of the hOnored
dead. A large number Of woTkmen are bu-
silly engaged in identifying the grounds. A
lodge is being erected at the entrance. The
carefully gravsled walks, fresh sOdded grass,
the white head boards, all tend to give it
an air Of neetnsss-
The site is wsii adapted to the purpose
upon gently slOping ground looking to the
South aud East. where the early flowers will
spring forth to greet the patriotic pilgrim as
in after times he visits this sacred ground
No less than seven thousand brave men here
sleep their last sleep.
s.They have fought their last battle,
No sound shall e'erwake them to glory again -
They hsvs given all for their country,
even the privilege Of being laid by the eide
of loved ones at home. In the cool Sabbath
evening as I wandered among these new
made graves with their simple hsadboards
giving name, age, regiment, and date Of
death, thought if every grave could speak
what tale it would unfold: of hearta che
to see fond mother, loving wife or dear
children In vain longing for 3 sight of the
pIighted loved one. Now and then you come
to 3 headboard marked HRknosOH. Did no
one know the poor boy? Ask the heart
broken mother. No such inscription will
appear In the books Of the Recording Angel.
Surely these u known ones are not forgot
ten. Will not q grateful people do them
honor9 All thstsrt can do should be done
to ornament this City Of the Dead-a monu-
ment should be erected to their names like
the ones at Chattanooga. Stone River and
Gettysburg, which shall in all ages point to
their suffering and their valor.
As our regiment marched from Washing
ton to Fort Saratoga, We passed still anoth-
49, :; -. ;aS;.sqnd, whore some of the SOL
uleIs are lnterre% - .Aia with small pox
=
name Of VI. Il. Hammond. 9th New York
Battery, he was from Bedford, Ohio, one Of
Eve brothers, all in the army. I bad known
him from childhood. For years before the
war broke out no had besn a sailor, once was
ship wrecked on the coast of Norway, was
in ohins when he learned of the great re
bellion, hastsned home, enlisted in the ma
W for year, then in the army, passed
through Enteld hsrdships, in the end to die
of disease, regrettiDg he could not have fsl-
len on the battlefield. He was Christian
soldier. and no doubt rests in the bosom of
his God.
As to the regiment, from the number Of
letters which are msiled, it can speak for
itself. If the friends Of the 156sh knew how
the boys like to receive letters they would
not only write themselves bat hire others to
write. 1t Would please you to see the boys
with anxious faces crowd around the Captain
as he gives ont tho letters, and will not be
comforted without letter.
There is one noticeable fact, that the most
robust appearing men are the first to be at
tackled with disease-thst the thin and slen-
der boy will in many cases wear like whip
stock. Some thirty are in the hospital, not
dangerous. The drills in heavy artillery and
infantry is giving the regiment all they can
we'll attend to.
At another time will give your RAIDERS
ome facts in regard to our new home on this |
beautiful hill, named after the man who is to |
% nominated for President at baltimore.
With respect, KNAPsAcK.