Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-06-08
From the Hist Regiment.
~JoHSSoN's ISLAND,
June Cd. 1864.

June "a, loOf.
DEAR CnRoNIcLE.-Sunday last was a
day of rather unusual excitement on the
Island. During the preceding night,
Chancey Travis, of Bristol, in Farming
ton Company, had his hand badly in
iured by the accidental discharge of his
gun while on picket. The middle finger
of his left hand has been amputated. and
the fourth and fifth are badly shattered,
one of which may yet have to come off.
While talking about the accident, we
heard of an attempt on the part OF reb-
e's to escape. They had tunnelled from
one of the buildings in their quarters,
under a deep ditch, to the outside of the
fence, and had got all ready for grand
emeute, when just as the earth caved
from the surface. and the first nan
showed his head, a guard was unfortuna-
tely flor them discovered to be watch
ing the spot, and they concluded to defer
their exit TO a more convenient season.
Perhaps they thought that as the present
superintendent, Capt. Hutchins, was from
the Guards" he was green. and that
now was their time. If so, they were
grandly mistaken, as they soon found out.
A day or two before, several ladders were
found concealed in their quarters, which
they had managed in some way to make
and conceal. They were 10th to give
them up, but there was no help for it
Those who wish to speculate, can con-
clude that an attempt was TO be made to
scale the enclosure with the ladders,
while others at the same time, were to
try the tunDe.,, or vice versa. For my
self, / do not pretend TO be cognizaut of
their secret plans, and cannot say. What
they expected to gain by simply getting
OF of the enclosure, is difficult to inn
agine, as an escape is far from effected
when that is accomplished.
On Sunday afternoon six rebels were
Immersed in the bay. three others o%ficia-
ting as ~clcrgymen. Whether the failure
of their plan to escape, had anything to
do with turning their attention to serious
matters. is not known to outsiders. 1t is
to be hoped they will be brought TO a
knowledge and repentance of their ma
tional and political sins as well as those
of natural depravity. Many of the pris-
oners are doubtless honest and. conscien-
tious in their convictions, and seek to do
right; still it is difficult to attribute hon
estly to any person of intelligence, Occupy
ing the position of a rebel.
We expect Capt. Butchins to return
to US in a few days, not that he does not
make an efficient officer in his present
situation, but because his presence is
needed with his company.
Company A was the recipient, the other
day, of a large and fine cheese, from Mr..
S. S. Smith. As Tucker" didn't come
with us himself, this substitute was duly
appreciated and highly relished, for
which token of remembrance and gen
erosity, the company return thanks.
Rev. Thomas Guy, OF Ashtabula. has
been appointed Chaplain to the regiment.
and is expected to be with us soon. We
have heard but one sermon since arriv-
ing on the Island. Some. however, are
more rejoiced at the appointment of a
Sutler, who has opened his establishment
on the right of our camp. He seems dis
posed to treat the boys fairly, and already
has n good run of custom, which will
doubtless be increased.
The Hospital contains about its usual
number of occupants, ten or twelve
But one case is at all dangerous, II. x.
Goist, of Liberty. He will probably not
recover. His disease is congestion of the
brain, and inflammation of the bowels
The rest are all improving.
OF all the good work for the people at
home to do, none, save only the great
Sanitary werk, seems of SO much impor-
lance as the non-importation movement.
The effects of such associations. cannot
but be obvious to all. The prime object
is of course national in its character,
while secondary results of scarcely less
are sure to follow. That the
plentitude of money can long
continue, no n pretends to believe. and
for the soldier to feel hat efforts are
being made TO contract home expenses,
and save what little property he may
will enable him to bear more cheer
fully, the privations he may have to en-
iure. In the first place, furnish TO the
soldier all he needs, and secondly, use your
nothing you do not need. and
come what may, the result can only be
beneficial. d. L