Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-01-27
From the l25th.

We extract the following from letter
kindly placed at our disposal:
CAMP NEAR CLIYcH Mr., Tenn. !
January 9th, 1864.
My DEAR GRANDFATHER:-I have been
waiting long time for good opportuni.
ty to write to you. had hoped to find
myself seated, with pen, ink, stand, and
comfortable quarters, where I might tell
of the many things interesting to you,
which have happened since last wrote,
but that time is not yet. Making virtue
Of necessity, l cheerfully accommodate
myself to circumstances beyond my con.
troll, and write with pencil, (your specks
will come in good play, surrounded with
forest trees, and troop of shivering com
rades, all eager to get chance at the
large log heaps blazing before me.
Since leaving Chattanooga, we have
been entirely without tents; nor have We
stayed long enough in any one place to
warrant us in erecting log buts, or other
suitable protection against the weather.
We have suffered some from cold. as
many a burnt blanket, scorched coat, OF
trowsers will testify. Not few army
shoes, and even boots of Trumbull man
facture, also, bear markes of having been
placed too close proximity to the fire.
One of our boys had his overcoat hall
burnt off him, the other night; ana Capt.
Bates slept soundly while my rubber, and
another blanket, were almost entirely
consumed at his side.
/ We have occasionally felt some incon-
venience from hunger. On account OF
deficient transportation, We have seldom
had more than half rations, and some OF
the time, have been unable to procure
1 forage from the country. After all, we
have been highly favored; and. do not
think one could be thought superstitious
for seeing the hand of Providence kindly
/ turning many circumstances TO our al
vantage We have as yet had no snow.
! Winter thus being robbed of half its rig
or Neither have we had heavy rains as
might have been expected at this season
of the year. notwithstanding, there has
been good stage of water highly faAor-
able to the transportation of supplies by
river.
You desired me to tell you about the
people and country. ] can say much in
favor of both. Beautiful mountains
lifting their rocky peaks heayenward
meet one on almost every side. Here
they stand boldly forth. You can count
their rocky ribs. as cliff on cliff is piled
before you. Yonder they gradually re-
cede toward the setting sun until their
blue tops blend with the skies in the
horizon. The country bears many marks
of genuine enterprise. The villages in
many places are under high state of eul-
tiyation, and neatly enclosed fields. and
comfortable looking houses are frequent
! ly met with. The people are nearly all
Union. They manifest purity of patri-
otism, and depth of devotion that should
bring the blush to the face of Northern
Copperheads Their love for the old flag
has been purified through suffering; and
their firm loyalty unshaken by the wild
storm of treason that has so long ragged
about them, spreading devastation and
4 terror on every side, Is above reproach,
challenging the admiration of the world.
"I would rather that every cent pos
sess should 60 toward subsisting your
men, than allow the rebels again to hold
this country" is en- expression have
several times heard repeated. East Ten
nessee is not yet relieved from suffering.
As Longstreet passed through, his men
robbed and plundered everything. They
declared it their object to desolste the
country so our army would be unable to
pursue them. As a consequence, the
people are without provisions. Many
must depend upon the Government, in
part, for substance, while others will
move North until better state of things
can be established.
AhOiC 70 hOb ANSh pAOSPCSb vi lul thSA
active operations during the winter We
may, perhaps, make one more attempt to
engage Longstreet, before going into per-
manent quarters.
Many of the old regiments are enlist
ing as veterans. Fully one half the
soldiers from Ohio have probably re-en-
listed by this time. Our regiment is too
young to receive the benefit of the older
though if deeds were taken into consid-
Grafton. we might find ourselves in ad-
vance of many older organizations. l
think Home Guards should be ashamed
of themselves, lettering behind, while
brothers and friends are enlisting for an
other three years term in cause dear
alike to all, and worthy the best blood OF
the nation.
The health of our regiment was never
better than now. Many of those wound.
ed in the battle of Chickamauga and
Mission Ridge, have again returned to
duty. We number nearly four hundred
effective men.
With kindest regards TO all friends, and
wishing that you may live in the enjoy
ment of health to see the end of this
wicked rebellion, and our country again
restored to peace
l am your obedient grandson.