Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-11-11

t
Oct y, 1864.
EDITOR INQUIRER:
Since wrote you last we have changed our base
of operations. Last Sunday two hundred and sev-
enteen men belonging to our regiment were trans
ferred TO this place. It appears that there were
more men in the regiment than is allowed by the
regulatans and, as they could not be retained in
the companies to which they were assigned, they
were sent here to await instructions from the War
Department in relation thereto. The commanding
officer, understand, has asked permission to organ
ze new battalion Of the surplus men, but it is We
~ uncertain whether such permission viii be grant
ed. Until the matter is finally settled presume
we viii remain here We have first rate aceommo-
dations in the barracks, plenty of nicely cooked ra
ons and the duty required of US is very slight in
comparison to what we had to do while in camp.
Ft. Pickering is a very strong earthwork, about
three fourths Of a mile south of Memphis, on the
Mississippi river. 1t was originally in possession of
the rebels, but ''Uncle Sam very naturally per
shaded them to transfer It to him for an indefinite
IS without casemaes a al dosHEggt dosHEgtsf Sd g g 9ag9s @ that
large calibre Until this last scare took place, it
has been somewhat out Of repair. But in antieipa
ton of an attack the colored militia of Memphis
were put to work repairing the fortifcatons and in
constructing new lines Of defence within the fort,
which are now fully completed. At the same time
the fort was re.enforced by troops from Vicksburg
and White river, gunboats were stationed in the
river both above and below and every thing put in
readiness for an attack but the rebels acted very
prudently by not coming If they had, they would
most assuredly have met with disastrous defeat.
The other day the pleasure of having good view
Of a Yankee cheese box'' while passing down the
river Nothing was visible but the terrets, pilot
house and smoke stack; the hull was entirely sub
merged in the water. The deck was of an oval
shape. Altogether it was a novel looking craft, and
something that the rebels win not desire to scrape
an acquaintance with more than once.
The original garrison of the fort consists of the
Sd and Tth Heavy Artillery, (both colored) In drill
and discipline they compete with any white
troops ever saw. They know nothing but doing
their whole duty. The other day soldier attempt
ed to violate the instructions of one on guard by
crossing his ssbeat.H "Sam'i could not see the
point in this, and the other, not paying much aten-
ton to the timely admoniton of the guard to shalt,
was fred at though not receiving any personal inJu-
ry OF course he was acquitted of all blame, from
the fact that he was simply carrying out his insruc
tons. Yesterday they were paid off, and happier
set of fellows could not be imagined.
We are glad to hear of the frmness with which
they are arresting the drafted men and making them
face the music This is as it should be- Ii IS only
doing Justice 10 those who are in the army. fla
man remains at home until he is called upon by the
revolutions of the wheel at the Provost Marshal's
Office, is his duty to go, if he cannot furnish sub
~. 11cJ 1oft
Iup to the scratch bravey and quit themselves like
men, and all viii be well; not, they will be made
to do it, for the Governments strong enough to en-
force the draft wherever any opposition is manifest
ed
To-day we received the news of another great VIC
tory gained by Sheridan in the valley Of the shenan
doah. II is victory at a very important foint. 1t
has been hotly contested field. 1t has been stain
ed with blood as the tide Of success ebbed flowed.
1t has been the route through which Lee has SO of
| ten threatened Washington, Baltimore and Phila-
| delphia. These victories by Sheridan are at the
right time and right place to strengthen the army of
| General Grant, and to nerve anew all loyal men.
We trust that an armstice viii not be talked Of, and
/ that nothing win prevent the Government from
moving forward to the overthrow of the rebellion
So far the draft progresses aYorably, the battered
regiments are fast filing up and the fall campaign
opens favoFably. Between this aad the time the
wet season sets in we shall heas Of stirring deeds
Courage, loyal peoplei The end cometh! Peace
is coming so near that the gentle nestle Of her white
wings may BE heardl She is coming not with dis
grace; she IS coming, MOTTO order back into slavery
the men aho fight our battles, or rivet anew bro,
ken chains. No; bat coming attended by freedom
and righteousness.
The soldiers here are almost unit 10 favor Of
/ sold Abe One entire regiment voted to a man
in favor Of his reelection The l24th Illinois before
leaving Vicksburg to reenioree this place, took a
v0te and out of some $50 men, Mcclellan received
the insignificant number Of AS votes. BY this You
viii see what the army is going to do forthe Young
Napoleon Lineoln's reelection is fixed thing.
I'VE hope SO. The other side Of this paper viii tell
thestory ,--ED. IEeu1RER, Hurrah for Old Abe. +"
ALBERT SMITH.