St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-03-03


wherein eacI, cord seems broken, each light COMO
Out, dashing In darkness 'gainst tn shots Of
Life, with but moan for peace. Aye, Love, whose
Fail hands clasp the stars. when smiled upon;
Yet ttsmbics covering in the dust when e a
But tone, il fraught with cold, gives answer.
FROM THE ARMY OF THE CUMBER.
- * 5~.@ "a fri LAND. ,rsy,.; ~ .sfz;E.
Cu,cKAsAroA, Ga. Feb. 10th, 1864.
, EDIloR psNocRAT.-lt is seemingly dull
work for . correspondent to enllvon read
ers with ''news from the 'front.' during a
period of comparative inactivity. RI. Blu,
here we are, on the extreme left Of the
Chickamauga battle ground, eight miles
from Chattanooga on tho road to Kinggold.
Our guns point sou,heastward. Our pick
cts look out into the Confederacy, the only
novelty to him being An occasional "John-
ny Reb," heartsick and footsore, coming
in and giving himself up; another story Of
rebel decentralization, another applicant to
take the amnesty oath. We have our
drills, dre.s. parades, camp amusencn,s
and occasional reconnoissnces. Full rs-
tions bless our stomachs, and, by the ap-
pearance Of the mail, letters bless our
hearts in increo sed numbers. New recruits
arrive by every train for the different COM
mands. Veterans are eplisting, leaving,
organizing and returning. A good percent
age Of furloughs are granted. Nearly all
are in the best Of spirits and health, and
with beautiful weather and snug, r.omy,
log houses, with their immense old fashion
ed fireplaces, We solace ourselves in the
belief that soldering is not 80 hard after
all, and the exercise Of patriotism cheap
enough. -e ........
Tho silent yet busy hum Of preparation
in our rear will ere long grow louder, and
as it swella and rolls along to the front it
will increase in volume and breadth culmi-
mating in > grind crash and roar from
thousands of black-mouthcd engines Of de-
struction which are pointed from the solid
phalanx Of freedom, extending from Cum
berlnnd Gap on the north to the Gulf at
Mobile on the south. And when the echoes
of this mighty surging tide Of war rever-
berates throughout the loyal States may
that support and encouragement from those
at home which soldier welcomes, not BE-
wanting. ! "a -, 80. -,.-,f .... u
The general impression among military
men, here, leads US to say Since no one
can doubt the rebellion is crumbling to
pieces, there will yet be long marches,
fierce battles, heavy sacrifices and an al
formation between hope and fear for results.
A greater skill on the part of our leaders
will be called for-tbe courage, bravery,
daring Of our comrades and An increased
devotion to the cause Of freedom. The
nearer We reach the aclimax-thc restora-
ton of the Union-the heavier the blows
at the topping monster of Secession. 1t
is matter Of congratulatien everywhere
that our noble President exercises 50 much
energy and shows such increased activity
in his war measures. The army is influ,
enced greatly by the action of those in pow
er, who are keenly alive to the necessities
| Of the occasion. IA
Rumors are rife Of movements and
| changes. As the season for active opera
tons approaches . psrceptible activity is
noticed in tho disposition Of troops and the
| adapting Of our lines TO those of the enemy.
We look for an early Spring campaign.
The I'd Division 10 in excellent trim and is
now commanded by Gen. James D. Morgan
during the absence Of Gen. J. c. Davis,
who is attending the McCook and Critten-
den Court Of Inquiry at Louisville.
Large numbers Of soldiers and civilian,
visit the battle ground daily A regimen,
of sharpshooters have been encamped few
miles from here for = few weeks, their du-
ty being to gather tho bones and skulls ".
ing about through the woods and in the
open fields and burying them. The sight
of the ground when We first came here wa.
sAddening in the extreme. It has been
aptly termed the .Golgotha of Tennessee.
Another point Of attraction is Lookout
Mountain, view from which reveals the
Valley Of the Tennessee, parts of fou,
States and distant portion of a fifth
Canes from "Chickamauga," shells from
the "Creek," and the gnarled, curly root
Of the Laurel bush which Crews in profu-
sion on lookout" are sought for, and
many soldiers derive small income from
manufacturing this laurel into rings, pipes,
and heads for canes. 4->
By reason Of the other batteries of the
Division having re enlisted rs veterans,
the I'd Minnesota Battery is the only one
now here. It is being retiued in material
and horses, and no doubt will show good
record after the coming campaign. They
have very substantial log houses for their
winter quarters and the general plan and
construction Of tho houses and stables re.
feet much credit GU their veteran command
er, Lieut.. r. L. Dawley. The Division
Inspector pronounces the camp the best IL
the Division. 1t is needless to say the 10y.
! are healthy after such an eneomium.
There IL an attempt to get the command
to re-enlist; but, in consequence Of the
battery as an organisation not having been
| in two vears until March Olaf. H. in feared