Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-07-21
HEAD QUARrEEs, Go. z, ist Bait.
2nd Ohio Heavy Artillery,
CHARLSsToN, Tenn, July 10, 1864

hbAD- Qu-Ahfkho, Oo. II ISL Batt- 1
2nd Ohio Heavy Artillery,
CHARLSsroN, Tenn, July 10, 1864
Mr.. EDIToR:-As am pretty well
acquainted in your section of the
country, and also know that our
Company has got friends there, 1
write these few lines for the benefit
If those concerned and interested in
the welfare of Company F, 2nd q. II.
A under command of Capt. E. S.
\ Aleshire, of your town, and ask the
! favor OF you to insert them in your
paper, knowing how extensive a
circulation the Gallipolis Journal has.
Your columns have contained letters
from our Company when in Coving-
ton and Bowling Green, Ky.; but
now as we are in Charleston, Tenn,
only some 3S miles from Dalton,
( Ga. and mail matters slow and un-
certain. l think few remarks would
not be unwelcome to the parents, re-
tlations and friends of the boys
The health of our Company is good
considering the hot weather, and
though we lost one man since our
arrival, there are but few in the Hos
pital. Uncle Sam S rations are plen-
ty-in fact the supply is greater than
the consumption therefore. the
men have chance to trade forveget-
ables of all kinds, which are in abund
ance. Salt sells for soc. per pound,
or even up for pound Of butter, and
it is preferred to money. ID o.
J. Charleston is situated on the Hi
Ewassa river-quite large and beau
ttiful stream. The place is small,
and truly a deserted village" its
only inhabitants are lot of refugees,
mostly all women and children, some
Erebel deserters, few niggers, and a
great many dogs; the latter nightly
make themselves known, to the great
annoyance of sleepy officers. Our
camp, with that of two other COM
panies of our Battalion. is situated
on raised ground near the bank OF
the river, and consists Of lot huts
covered with the eternal "dog tent
This ''edifce' is again covered with
bowers rudely constructed of ever
green etc. etc, regularly laid out in
three long streets, on the whole, pre-
senting a neat, and quite a romantic
appearance. r-... .. -t.t
! Our means of defences consist oi
a Fort and a Block house, the latter
strongly built, and would resist any
fire of small arms. The rail roaC
bridge is quite large, and trains arr
I, daily passing up and down from
4 Chattanooga and Knoxville, occa
sionally bringing us letters and pa
: pers. We have no reason to com
+ plain, and the boys as general thing
are better satisfied here than when il
n Bowling Green; and have a bette
e chance to keep their money, Civ
: less trouble to officers by gettin
e drunk; for whisky of any kind can
e not DE got, except at about eleve
e dollars per gallon, and that scaFcel
f over "a hours old The writer con
I- siders himself pretty good Judge o
e this article, but prefers to he excuse,
Il from indulging IN the vile stuff to b
r had here at rebel prices. Occasion
y ally the Post Commissary, who b
the way is regular Buckeye" an
Lieut. Dilly of the 103 o. Y. l., get
$ a brl of U. S. whisky, but the shoul
der strapped gentry. together wit
l. leakage generally manage to cor
e sumo it in the course of a week.
e Guerillas are here JUS like ever
where in the rear Of the army The
It steal and plumber when there is n
danger Of getting caught Scoutin
: parties are daily sent out from on
y Battalion to scour the country; br
: then all is quiet, as they immediate
e ly take to the mountains where ru'
p suit is useless It is gratifying t
n see the strong Union sentiment tha
prevails in this part of Tennessee.
e 1t is not like the chivafrous ken
d tucky loyalty" but such as is foun
o in Ohio and Indiana Lincoln an
J. Johnson is the war-cry IN East Ten
s nessee.
A citizen hailing from Benton
S Tennessee, came in short time ag,
s to report the presence of some guer
: rlllas in that neighhorhood, and il
conversation, inquired of one OF ou
t officers: IF he thought the Copper
e heads would carry the State of Ohit
at the coming election" Upon re
ceiving a negative answer. more ex
pressive than elegant exclaimed
Thank God for that! 1t is som,
, encouragement to us!r'
As to our proficiency in drill, in
fantry as well as artillery, ard knowl
= edge of Military tactics, there car
be no question How our fighting
qualities are, will have to be proven,
and may be shortly, as an order from
Gen. Sherman at any hour, to join
our Corps, the 23d. would not sur
prise US. Our routine of camp life
is the same as always, and is known
by all. Our drilling we do early in
the morning, and IN the cool Of the
evening. --..,--. --- -
/ am glad to state that punish
ments have to be seldom resorted to,
compared to when we were in Bow
ling Green and Covington,, KY
The boys have all the privilege to
leave camp and go abroad with a
varboI Y1ormioaion 0f the pOmNanv