Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1864-01-16
FOR tie Te,eRrAph.
Eoi bHe ie'eb'APi
MEMPHIS, TESN., Jan. I'd, 1864


There were many friends in Auhtabula Co.
who during my recent visit among them, de-
81 red me to give through the press, some ac-
count of our labors aud progress among the
Freedmen. TO the friends Of these poor peo-
pie, would say that on reaching Memphis.
Tenn :, 1 learned that the Camp at Corinth bad
been broken up and the people removed to The
former place. The reasons for this step we're,
first, il was considered unsafe for them to re-
main at Corinth, on account OF the threatened
attacks by Forest aud chalmers; and I'd, sup
plies could be better furnished here. AT first
it appeared to me unwise to remove them at
this season Of the year, when so much suffer-
ing must attend their removal. But on further
investigation, became satisfied that it would
have been unsafe for them to remain there.
The suffering. however, caused by their leaving
their comparatively comfortable houses to come
here to pitch their old rejected army tents is
immense. And this suffering must continue for
months to come. Let any one, if he can, pic
ture to himself community Of $500 persons
thus living, where wood is difficult to be oh.
tanned, and green soft wood at that. And lot
him thiuk that large portion Of the tents have
as yet no chmnies--stoves are not to be
thought of-and the only fire is made at the
door OF tentl And then think OF these poor
people. half clad, thus spending q thoroughly
winters day in such a place! Who can tell
the amount of the suffering of one twenty-four
hours under such circumstances? And sucl
have been the last sc hours at this camp. The
| old year went ont with a driving snow storm
| The weather grew rapidly cold throu h The
night so that ut sun rise Of the new year morn
ing. the thermometer stood at nine degrees be-
low zerol A colder morning than any we hal
| 10 Northern Ohio last winter! The whole day
was intensely cold Though the sun shonc
brightly, the snow and ice did not melt even il
favored localities. At dinner, yesterday, thu
water in our cups froze; and the water pitche
froze to the table. This morning am writing
close to fire as good as our poor fuel will
make, and yet the ink freezes in my pen, whicl
occasions the. 6lots you see on this letter.
Since writing the above, I have been out tc
breakfast, in q room so cold that we could al
most masticate our food by the chatter of ou
teeth. found the lady teachers were almos
out Of wood, and shivering over their little fire
Borrowing an axe / wert forth among tn
stumps and old oak logs, that had been rejec,
ed as too tough for splitting, aud succeeded I
getting wood enough to keep a good fire 70
the day. While chopping, got fine com
pliment from the boy that carried the WOO
to the house. AS he stood watching me b
said, "If could work like you do, could d
q heap O. work"
\ have not prog ressed as rapidly as hope
in distributing the goods you seut by me.
found no place in which to store them, an
we have been compelled to work against gre,
obstacles. But yet we have made many
heart glad by bestowing your charities upo
them.
Could you see their real destitution, and the
the subst a; tial comforts that are impaired [
them by the clothing you have sent, you woul
have new joy in the contributions you ha,
made.
And here wish TO say TO The praise
Ashtabua county, that oil who have seen OF
goods, have said they have never before see
a so good quality Of goods sent to the Free
: men. With the exception of one box th
cont aimed few worthless articles, everythir
r has been OF real value. And have said tn
1 was proud to represent those that have SCI
u such goods to the poor and suffering. And
all OF you would say MAY the blessings
those that are ready to perish come upon you
Not only are they good In quality, but 4
quantity Is so great that oil VINO have seen 4
n amount I collected in so short a time. ha
expressed their admiration at my success.
have said, and / think with TRUTH that I
goods collected n my short tour are worth
least $4,000. They are so valuable that tn
will save an untold amount OF suffering.
A. ID. o