Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-11-10
HEADQUARTERS q. S. FORCES,
MOBILE BAY, Oct. 9th, 1864.

MOBILE BAY, Oct. 9tn, 1Sb4)
MEssRs EDITORS: The forces under Gen
Bailey are just now hard at work. Heavy
details are repairing Fort Morgan, and it will
soon be much stronger in its armament than
when the rebels held it. At Fort Gaines a
steam saw mill-a Yankee institution of
course-is turning out pine lumber and our
carpenters are putting up store houses and
doing the other necessary work in their line
of business. A railroad is building from
here to Navy Cove, three miles distant, where
boats are obliged to land during the winter
months. The goth is at the Cove doing pick
ct duty and unloading boats, besides heavy
detail under 1t. Rice, who are at work on
that end Of the railroad.
Every boat as it arrives from New Orleans
is promptly unlOaded and Immediately returns
for another cargo. There is great activity
throughout the District of West Florida and
South Alabama, and you can guess what it all
signifies as well as l can.
Interested as we are in military operations
here, we still find time to study the political
campaign now waxing warm in the North
and | assure you there are very few soldiers
who do not fully understand the strategy of
the great Democratic Generalssimo-Jeff.
- Davis-and the tactics of the Democratic
leaders of smaller ca!ibre-the Seymours, the
Woods, Vallandighams, and the rest. The
trainers of the Chicago platform certainly
mistook the temper of the Union army nor
is it strange. Those men knew nothing of
the feeling that prompts man to take up
arms in his country's defense; they did not
consider that the reason that sent US to the
field two and three years ago exists the same
to-day, greatly strengthened by the knowl-
edge that our honor as soldiers is at stake ;
they did not think when they declared the
war a failure, and demanded an immediate
cessation of hostilities," that every soldier,
from general to drummer boy, would construe
it as personal insult. | say they did not
know the feeling in the army, or they would
not have dared to insert that rottenest of
planks in their rotten platform for, as after
ter war, the men composing the army are
sure to hold the balance of political power,
80 sure is it that every man who has ANYTHING
to do with supporting the Chicago Copper
head platform will be henceforth and forever
politically dead.
L find Il few soldiers who are admirers
of Nee lellan, and who will support him
Notwithstanding the bad company they ac-
knowledge he keeps; they say he will prose
cute the war vigorously, but it puzzles them
to find men in the party who, as his constitu-
tional advisers, will support him in any such
vigorous policy.
If there is any body who has reason to de.
sire peace, it is the soldier; but | will as
sumo to speak for Wisconsins soldiers down
here in Alabama, and say that no one enter
tains the thought of peace until the rebels
shall lay down their arms and ask for it,
The health of our regiment is not very
good; the scuryy contracted on the Rio
Grande, threatens to render the regiment I'M
fit for active service there is only one thing
that can save us, and that is a good supply OF
vegetables. Last week Surgeon Peak brought
the boys thirty barrels of onions and potatoes
purchased with company funds and his own
handsome contribution.
Speaking of vegetables reminds me of a
remark of Admiral Farragut. The Admiral
was ashore the other evening, and after in
speeding the fort he called at Headquarters
The General was out, but he stopped anC
conversed a while with some of the staff,
Happening to remark that our regiment haC
suffered for the want of vegetables, the AID,
miral replied that it was the fault of oul
commanding officers; that the articles were
to be had and the Government was able tc
furnish them, and would do so if proper steps
were taken. He said his men once cot out
of potatoes and onions, but he kicked ur
thunder about it" and he got what he want
ed. The old Admiral is looking first rate and
is doubtless able to "kick up thunder" fol-
a good many years more.
Some time since Lit. Col. Starr sent in an
application to send home a recruiting party
The application has been granted, and Capt
Whitman and Lieut.. jackson will 90 with
the party. But Lam glad to see that the
Provost Marshals are doing the recruiting
for us; they seem to have an enticing way
with them that men can't resist. 1t causes
US greatly to rejoice to see the names of
some OF our Copperhead friends in the lists
OF 1.-THE elect" Send them along: well
make as good loyal soldiers of them as ever
are" oeao on reb. Very truly
E. G. NJ.