The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-01-27
Letter from Folly Island.
q. g.
CAhP TwENfF-F1rrH REGIMENT
OHIO VETERAN VOLUNTEER INF'RY

CAAP IWENfF-FIFTH REGIMENT \
OHIO VETERAN VOLUNTEER ISr'Ry
FOLLY ISLAND, s. c., Jan. s. 1864
ED, OHIO SrArEsMAN: Since NV last
letter We have had holiday; as nearly oh
served, according to special order from our
brigade commander, as those ol olden
times In our beautiful and much loved
Ohio' Inc men were excused from all
duty, and JOY, tempered, somewhat by
| reeo!iecuons OF loved ones at home
re'Gned supreme. Some CT the encamp
ments were beautifully decorated. ninia
ture churches erected, and every descrip
ton OF evergreen arches gladdened the
eye. Eary oil New Years uorpinr as
starter for the festivities Of the day. we
were regaied with the view Of as pretty
Ia little naval affair as ever transpired in
| these parts. During the night of the
thirty brst johnny Reb" amuses himself
! by erecting battery of heavy artillery
uhder cover OF some buildings and the
darkness within close range of the an
ohorage OF tho gunboat Marblehead, and
opened on her at the dawn of day. After
halt an hours engagement the Marble
head withdrew, losing three men killed
and i've wounded, At this juncture. the
PaWhee, twenty-five guRbcat, steamed
up, swung round, and opened with gen
ulae Yankee broadside. One round was
all that was necessary. The rebs did not
| bargain for the Pawnee. and fed in hot
haste, horse, foot and wagons, leaving
their guns, ammunition, and artillery fix
lures at our mercy. Our boys looked
ceoliy on while the play lasted, and re-
turned to their amusements satisfied that
the marines were "soms on water" This
Is the only engagement worth mentioning
which has transpired here since the tax
ing Of Wagner and Gregg.
From the reading of this you will per
cei,e that the :old Twenty Fifth have
added ''V'' to their cognomen, they are
now " Veterans in accordance with Cen
eral Order No. 191, and as such, will re-
turn to Ohio to up our depleted ranks,
and visit our friends before again testing
our fortunes on the tented field
We will be in Ohio by the 10th of this
month, every arrangement having been
maze TO enable US TO do so, save the Paw
masters settlement. You need not look
Tor very imposing procession to pass up
high street, mere handful is all that re
mains, but among that number few there
Will be but wear honorable scars from
many hard fought battle field The
proposition to re enlist was enthusiastic
ally received, and many brave fellow
expressed tho determination te re-enlist
SO long as limb and life were left him
with which to serve his couatry. Think
OF tins, young men of Ohio. you who have
TOT the three years in which your country
has been struggling for her very existence
been idle lookers.on, and, like man who
are proud to be called Americans, follow
where those who have gone before YOU are
not afraid to lead The news came th;.
morning that the draft in Ohio was post
poned until the first Of June next. Itya.
gratifying intelligence to all. and brish
hope that Ohio will yet save herself ,ha
necessity aniTnates every heart | real!,
t believe that our men would re-enlist, viii
llngly for ten years rather than that i
q should be said. while SO MANY are at home
the draft must be enforced, Surely. whe,
men who have already served through on
OF the most trying campaigns troops wer
/ ever subjected TO, and willingly voluntee
for another term. beneath the guns of tn
: enemy, aud in full view of their prepara
d tionstor continued hostiIities, there shout
be no hesltancy among their brothers VIII
have as yet taken no part in the contlic
II La conclusion will remind YOU that q
or abont the goth of this month. we wi
'F make our debut in Columbus and faur
, the coiors Of Thirteen Battles, rctaine
y snd tstterei though they be- much MOI
!, proudly than we did on the DIST of Jul,
"a 1861, under comman. of Maj. Nat. Nagi
ton, as true type of the veteran sold ie
IS aud patriot as ever drew blade in III
Of cause Of King or country.
le Hoping to see many friends soon afts
Is this reaches you. l remain,
81 Truly yours, TYPO"