American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-02-24


ning preeipiee one hundred and fifty-eight
feet high. This may seem large figure,
but 1t is so by actual measurement. To
reach the Lake we had to descend pair
OF steep stairs, of 81 steps, each over
foot apart, making the distance about SO
ieet, then entering isure in the rocks,
some 20 feet in length, then climbing over
quitting rocks, and crossing the stream be.
low the Lake, we arrived at the "Fallslv
The view was grand, almost beyond des-
cription--the small stream of water IA limo
at so great distance dissolves itself into.
a beautiful spray, resembling flakes of viz
gin snow, Or the setting of richest dawn,
upon the rocks below Here, '.amid the
wreck of matter and the crash dfwater, /
saw the ever-smiling face of Sheriff Scott,
who was quietly seated on the very verge
of the yawning abyss, quietly enjoying
his monday meal. Joining him in his
laudable enterprise, we soon satisfied the
inner man. While enjoyed in satisfying
our hunger, and discoursing on the gran
deur Of the scenery around us, we obser-
we'd, far below us the form of the poet, ar
tist, scholar, gentleman and soldier, Capt.
Charles b. Gillespie, industriously enga-
ged in taking sketch of the Lake and
its surroundings. To an imagination as
keen and mind as well stocked with the
Beauties of nature as his, the scenery
around him was treat rarely to be met
with by either poet or an artist. He
has kindly promised me sketch which,,
as soon as receive, | will send to you to
4 4
Proceeding in search of something new,
| wended my way to the top of the hill,
when | was met by the Colonels servant,
who said that he desired to see me. i'm
mediately repaired to hrs quarters, which
was on large rock, and here again met
the Sheriff, engaged in slowing away ra-
tions for the Colonel Not wishing to
see him lobor too lard, | turned in and
assisted him myself The Coloneps
"cullud pusson' had ce,y light load to
"take back to camp" we made "a right
smart meal reckon"
Visiting Rock city" being part of the
programme, we retraced our steps, and
reached the "city frocks" about o'clock
Here is almost a perfect town, with streets
and alleys, formed of solid rock. This
storm" is two miles from the 18th camp
Here we saw Lots wife, the elephant"
'the squatting Toad, and numerous 9TH
er rocks, whose name | did not learn
The rocks are of peculiar formation, and
seem to be washed into their present shape
by the action of the water which has re-,
ceded and left them in their present shape
Having but short time TO spare, we
retraced our steps, and arrived at camp.
near Summerville, on Lookout Mountain,
about sundown, well pleased with the
strange sights We had seen
Lookout Mountain takes its rise in the
north at the point overlooking Chattanooga
and extending one hun1rel miles, loses
itself in COosa river, near Gadsdon, in
Alabama, and its full Of iron ore, lime,
coal and saltpetre, the wealth of which
will eventually be opened by northern la
Dor and northern enterprise.
A few words in regard to company IT,
Of the 18th, will not come amiss, as that
company was principally raised in and
about Butler. There is but one man sick
in the company, and he is now getting
better. His name is Joseph p. M'Coy.
Their strength may be summed up thus:
Effective men for duty, So; absent, 16;
on detached service, 0; making total of
73, and with Capt AyTes, lst Lieut..
Sam'l j. MBride, with the company,
and %, Lieut.. T f. Wiehl, on detached
service with brigade ambulance, makes an
aggregate of 76. Taking into considera-
tiOn the ardous labors they have under
gone, their mortality has not been great.
In this company all is harmony, the men
like Captain Ayres, and he likes the men.
He is good officer, and may well feel
proud in having command of as good a
company as he has. May success ever
crown the 18th, and may each and all of
them be enabled to return once more to
their far-of and much loved northern
homes.
Important movements are on foot in
this department for an early spring cam
paign, all are eager for move, and anx-
ious to crush with one fell stroke, this un-
holy rebellion. as soon as amove is made,
| will endcavor to keep you posted.
A notice on the bulletin board this NOR
ming, at Gen. Thomas Headquarters, sta
ted that whole brigade of rebel soldiers,
officers and all, had come into our lines,
and volunteered, thus taking advantage of
the Presidents Proclamation. To-day 80
rebs. came to our front and gave them
selves up; took the oath, and express
themselves as being disgusted with rebel
rule, and well pleased that the old flag
once move sheds its ample folds around
them, ndsprotects them from the wore
than tyranical rule of the bogus Confed-
eracy.
While l am writing am informed Is
more Rebs have come in. About 10, 900
have come into our lines in this Depart
ment since the Chickamauga battle. When
we move we will try and bring a few more
OUer
We are now under marching orders, and
ere this letter reaches you it is more than
probable we will have brush with the en-
envy. The whole 18th Army Corps is now
awaiting the order to move. The 18th is
in this corps, and will move with u.s.