Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-06-04
FROM THR I5Oth.

The Weafher---Lettsrs--.H Of the
Bsys--- Rock Creek Cbnrch---The Sol
diers' Homs0---PresIdent's summer
house---The Soldiers Buryisg Ground.
FoRT BUEKER HILL, June 1st, "a.
EDIToRs LEADER: This is what might be
called hot day. We do not know how
high the Thermometer ranges as We have
none, but We are all of the same opinion on
one thing, nsmely-that it is hot, though be-
ing on high point we get something of a
breeze, which is refreshing.
We are all moving along in the even tenor
of our ways, nothing of an outside chsrac-
ter occurring very interesting, though, as
Greeley says, we are undoubtedly "on the eve
of great events" The principal event of the
day is the arrival, of the mail; we send of
every day a large mail, and receive one, not
as large however, as is sent of; and let me
say light here that if friends at home knew
what welcome messengers letters are to 3
soldier, think they would write more often.
know Of boys who have written four or FIVE
letters and have not received one; very
pleasant is it not Some of the boys appear
TO think that their friends have az ne back
on them"
The health of the boys is generally good
-Wo having but few in tho hospital from
this Fort, and We hear of but few cases Of
sickness in the other compEn es; in fact
Everything is lovely" &c.
AS regards the morale Of the egimsnt IL is
generally conceded believe to be good; We
have frequent visits at this fort fIOm mem
bers Of the Christian Commission, who dig
tribute religious papers to the boys, and
keep them well supplied with Sunday read
ing, and occasionally blind contraband ad-
ministers to their spiritual Welfsrs bv sing
ing, exnOTting and praying, which is exceed
ingly edifying, judging from the oountenan-
ces of the boys There is an Episcopal
Church nearly two miles from here, which
many Of the boys attend; and by the way,
this church is an interesting place to visit on
account of its antiquity; it was built in 17I9
of brick brought from the mother country,
and was re built in 1890 from the same brick,
and now stands as firm as ever, and is good
for another hundred years at least. Tradition
says that George Washington was wont to
attend this church; Rock Creek Church is the
name. tits surrounded with large oaks and
around the church is the old cemetry. Many
Of the inscriptions on the tomb stones are not
legible, others scarcely so On one we fad
the name. e.of lady who "died in 1875, in the
Goth year Of her age and 60th year Of her
marriage. On another, erec'ed a few years
since, We find long, original ePitaph which
is as follows:
"Deereed by death no more to roam,
He died in peace at the Soldiers Home"
Near the church is the "soldiers' Home,"
the Presidents summer house, and the SOL
diers burying ground. The buildings are
pleasantly situated and command a fine view
of the Potomsc. The "Home" is fine build
ing Of white granite, and has ali the N dern
improvements. There are some eighty eight
old soldiers living in the Home, having a
omfortabIe place in which to pass their re-
msing days. They are mostly veterans Of
the Florida and Mexican Wsrs-One Of their
number being nearly hundred years old -
When YOU cometo look upon those old, gray
haired soldiers, and converse with them, you
feel a respect and REVENGE for them which
cannot be overcome. They are very ready
to converse with you, and take delight in
"f fighting their battles over agsin." The
men are dressed in plain blue uniform. A
few of them are able to work little in the
grounds about the house, but the most Of
theu are quite feeble-broken down by ex-
posure, disease and wounds. Yet they all
seem cOntentsd and happy. 1t is eminently
fitting that our Government should give them
q quiet aud pleasant homo in which to pass
their remaining days.
The grounds about the Home and the
Presidents House, are beautiful. Trees,
shrubs and plants, in great varieties. pleas
ant arbors, neatly bordered walks and pleas
ant drives, all combine to make this one of
the most pleasant places in Washington.
Near the Home is the Soldiers Burying
Ground, containing some six acres Of land,
in which we find now over 5000 graves. |
There has been nearly 5000 soldiers buried |
there, but about :, 900 have been removed by |
friends and relations Each grave has q |
neat white head board, upon which the SOL
diers name, company, regiment, and date Of
death are neatly painted. May the earth |
lie lightly" on the grave of 8 Union soldier. |
On many Of the hssd-bosrds we find the |
words unknown soldier" which, to me, is
4 sad sight There lies one who has laid /
ioWn his life for his country, and unknown,
but such is one of the results of this war.
We find other names, and beneath the words
'RebsI;" side by side they lay, Union and
Rebel-the patriot and traitor, ono dying in
defense of the Government, the ether in
striving to oyerturn it. But must ol ,se
his already long leteer, thanking you for
,opies of the LEADER received.
BETA.