Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-03-12
Letter from a Soldier in the Armv.

Mr.. OOfuOl n. 1AeuIy HAS htuuIy 1UrnlSneQ
us letter written by relative in the FEEDER.
al army, dated Iarkinsville, Ala, Jan. goth,
from which we make the following extract:
*** Perhaps you know something of
our travels as you no donbt keep posted from
home, but will tell you n little Of our travels
and doings since WE left Vicksburg, which
was on the 2Sth Of September. We came to
Memphis by steamboat, where We stayed
few days, then to Corinth, Miss, where we
stayed until the the 18th October, then left
for rebel regions again. Our march was now
on foot, and long one at that, marching con.
tinuously until the l It'll Of this month, and
distance of about 700 miles. We first went
to Tuscumbia, which was about 60 miles from
Corinth, where WE drove the rebels from their
position. then returned to PASSPORT on the
Tennessee river, crossed the river and started
for Chattanooga, which place We reached on
the 2lst November, but did not get to stop
there long, for VIC We're pitched into the fight,
and when this task was done and rebels pur-
sued quite distance, we were started for
Knoxville on forced march to relieve Burn
side, but as good luck for us, he relieved linn
Sd/'just before We got there. We there rested
one day and started for Chattanooga again,
nor rested there, but on, on, We thought torev-
er. We have endured many hardships, trav-
eled many miles, fought many battles, but
still | am alive and WE'LL for which l feel very
thankful to the Oliver of every good AM! per-
feet gilt We have marched over some q! the
toughest country ever saw, over mountains
of rocks without end We have seen some
pretty rough times and some pretty good times.
When WE get short Of grub, We Thing the worst
has come already. for it is worse than death to
a soldier to stint his bread basket, though |
can't say that l have ever suffered for any
thing to eat, yet have missed a few meals
for the reason that had nothing to cat. In
this country the facilities of transportation arr
inadequate to the demand, there being so
many troops to be supplied from Louisville.
and sometimes we get short raiions.' but
when we arc on the move and allowed to for
age off the enemy, we provide for Ourselves,
and do 1t wcV, ton. During our march to
Knoxville We lived like epicures, but YOU
would have laughed to see ia, we were so
dirty and ragged. Many were without shoes,
hats, shirts and pants-in fact, about naked
for we had not time to wash and mend, and of
course could get nothing new, though same
were so lucky as to find clothing among the
native. The inhabitants of this country are
generally poor and very ignorant. not much
above the slaves, and one filthy. general prac-
tice, or habit, of tbs women is, the use Of to-
bacco. l don't think | have seen Il dozen
women in all my travels here. who do not
use tobacco in some shape. The common
class chew, the uncommon "dip" snuff; that
is, they dip fine split stick in snuff and
then chew the stick. 1t is quite novel
sight to see the beauties chewing stick. l
noticed the practice long before knew ofthe
habit of chewing. | have seen somc very
handsome young ladies', and really street look
ing 9amsels, with that exception. 1t looks
rather masculine to see woman squirting to-
bacco juice.
Our first acquaintance with soldier-litr was
terrible. This, you know. was when We were
in the swamps around Vicksburg for about
ten months, which caused FIR greater loss to
our ranks than all the battles wc have been
healthtul and the hcal.l, Of the regiment is
excellent at present. One of the greatest
blessings we have in this country is the abun-
dance of excellent water, which Mt Vicksburg
was quite scarce. You may be sure we were
glad to get out of that miserable hole. How
long we will remain here am unable to say,
or what tho next move will Do. hope the
rebels will see the utter hopclessness Of their
cause, and lay down their arms. =" ="
~ The OrcgoniaM has some thing to say Of
our abuse" as it styles it, ofSecretary Chase.
A drowning man it is said will catch at straws.
h,v b<>11
crumb of comfort the Oregonia~ may CLEAN
from its unkind criticisms of us; but We do
ask that it do us simple justice, and confinc
itself to the truth when speaking of our
course. We have never used any language
which might be justly characterized by the
above terms. We have on all occasions
commended tho financial skill and ability Of
the Secretary of the Treasury, but have COM
planned Of neglect i'll the payment Of moneys
due on this coast, and we but refer to the
facts as known by almost everybody in our
Territory to substantiatr our position. The
Orgonian has time and again, considered it
its peculiar province to criticize the action Of
the Post Office Department, as likewise that
Of the Navy. Our remarks were dictated
by an earnest desire for the reform Of
abuses through which our citizens often
suffer much embarrassment and loss, and
could not by disintercsted party be con-
sidered in the least degree abusive. But
we will here remind the astute genius Of the
Orcgonain Of the danger Of throwing stones
BY those who live in glass houses. That