The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-06-29
The soLp1ER.s MARon

A correspondent OF the 24th Michigan, writes
to the Free Prsss from Tunstan Station.
June lIth:
RumOr AYERS that We are again about to change
our base, and il 10 said that the White HOase.
As depot ls 10 be evacuated within thirty six
hours OF noon to-day. Wagon loads OF baggage
belonging 10 deceased and absent officers have
been sent 20 the landing to-day, 90 be shipped
TO Washington for storage or other disposal.
All worthless and unserviceable teams, ana other
hesus OF transportation, are being, or have been
turned IN, and the fresh animals that have been
iorSArded 10 this point have been distributed
among the different brigades, though there are
lar toe few 10 supply the wants Of the train
The demise Of mules and horses occurs all along
the road, and the wsy is hned with al that re-
mans OF them. Al every turn the worn out,
distended oarcssses meet the eve; everv slough
and mud hole hath its tenant OF the horse or
muie kind that has succGmbed TO the suction
and pressure, and laid down in the plastic bed
prepared for them by the many feet OF their
predecessors, In whose iustrious footsteps they
mry no longer follow. Here you NAV behold
specimens OF mulish and equine decomposition,
aud 'HHnFHy-ry in all the various stages, processes
and conditions, from the fresh aud recent vicum
Just fallen, through al the grsdations TO the dry
SKINS stretched over the bones OF last years
raiders. These no longer sttract the carrion
GRO" or circlng buzzard. now gorged 10 reple-
zion WIKI the abundant means OF satisfying their
most rAvenoas maws. on the line OF march and
IN rear Of large armies
There are other roug aud exceedingly well
defined evidences Of the presence OF these nor
tal bodies beside that OF sight To be sure the
dog days and sultIy air OF midsummer are not
Vet With us, but The heat of one or two da,s Just
past l. enough 10 sati>fy the most exactng aud
close investigating minds aud enough OF expert
e4ce 10 last for lifetime, Can be found in an
hours march along the road by the side Of a
train. The light, sandy soil Ia ground TO pow
der, and forms dusk which the least stir raises
IN dense and sufocatiug clouds No matter
whether you pu, your own foot in Is, or whether
10 is that OF an army horse or mule. In either
case down goes the foot and up rolls the curl
ing volumes graceful q wreath, from the area
oi cubt IN diameter, spreading as it rises 'Iill
mlnshns With other clouds the whole air is full.
But here are hundreds of teams closed up " 10
each other as near as il is possible 'or them 10
be. twenty four feet Of the six mules 10 each
wagon, aud the four wheels thereof moving
through the ethereal and as aspiring dust at
quick pace not 10 mention now and then a
- double quick step. and the effect is wonder
'uL Il might be pleasant 10 contemplate the
tt" mum cOlhc DFttEN Alu Wtl thducu eitNA-
iion to watch the clouds that mark the move.
nent OF great bodies and trains like these, but
10 march in the midst Of il on dsy when the
sun pours down its fervent rays, and no halt OF
Test Is permitted for hours together, is anything
bit poetic or agreeable. In such an atmosphere
be eyes, nose, mouth and ears full Of the pene~
rating particles, great streams OF perspiration
oling out from every pore until the cool, alb
'orbent ToOlens Of the soldiers clothing become
oaked and dripping with the exudatiOn when
he purest sud freshest breath of air that can be
got is full Of noxious heat vapOr, and you are
PRESSING on and still on the weary wAy, YOU ap-
'roach one those locations we have been pre-
Tiously considering, and a pun Of the breeze
'rings you full realization Of the pBtrid pres
nee of animal decay. In vain you hold your
'reath; for rods around the air, glowing with it,
oiY i3a oriffces,, but The 6eated lungs cOmand a
,reath OF air. You vouchafe the boon, but no
apothecary's boy could concoct such
villainous inhalation for your uDsuspecung
lose, as that which YOU receive here You turn
nd attempt TO pass TO the Windward Of your
rOubles, but just a. you sure you are safe TO
axe one good long breath, the facile, hckle
Wind comes full in your face from the source
Tou least expected, till you are fairly sufocated
md strsngled nearly, with the infected air.
These are some Of the experiences that are all
lround US here, and We no doubt, are getting
ised TO it"