The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-01-24

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Jan. %, 1864.
lNr. Editor: The readers of the UNION
are, generally, kept well informed as to
matters and events, both civil and mill
tary, occurring in and about this city;
but, for once, you have let an item of
some Importance to many Of your read
ers, pass by altogether unnoticed. re-
fer to the fact of the establishment of
permanent cavalry camp, just outside of
the city limits, which in most respects
will resemble other camps long since Or
ganizad in the North, yet differing some
what in its practical workings. And
it is for the purpose Of stating some of
the objects had in view in the orgsnizl-
tion of this camp-Camp "Smith"--that
I now crave a small space in the columns
Of the UNION.
The many obstacles heretofore pre-
senting themselves to the military au-
thOrities in receiving, providing for and
forwarding to their respective regiments,
the large number of oavalrymen-re-
cruits, conscripts and Veterans-daily
arriving here in squads and dstscbmenta,
has, perhaps, suggested to she suthori-
ties the propriety of founding this Insti
tuition. Formerly, upon the arrival Of
soldiers they hsve been marched to some
building used for the purpose of bar
racks and crowded in until they were
uncOmf6rtably thick, and kept there,
perhaps, for weeks, against their own
protestations and daily appeals to be
forwarded to their regiments. This fact,
however, is not to be attributed to any
lack Of duty on the part Of officers un-
der whose command they were, for the
time being; but solely and totally for
the want of system. Gen. Smith was not
long in discovering the evil and applying
the remedy. If I am properly informed,
he matured his plans and then presented
them to Gen. Grant, who caves his un-
qualified approval of the same.
Suitable ground was at once selected,
and the erection of barracks, stables and
Othes necessary buildings commenced
forthwith. Col. T. Deweese, 4lh Indiana
Cavalry, was placed in command Of the
camp. Although in delicate health, Col
Deweese has bestowed his entire stten-
ton to the work assigned him, and has
succeeded admirably in making every
thing work like perfected piece of ma
chinery, under difficulties too, which
would have caused less energetic char
scter to have given up in dependency.
Col Dsweese is determined, with the as
sistance of the gentlemanly and efficient
officers in his command, to make the
csmp q model one.
The daily arrival and departures, as
shown by the morning reports, at this
camp, gives evidence that all and more is
realized-in practice than was indulged in
theory. No unnecessary delay is now
experienced by cavalry troops on the way
to their regiments. It is fact patent to
all commanders of companies, that when
3 soldier once reached Nashville, it was
useless to expect him to join his eompa-
ny for many days, under the old system
of forwarding troops. No such trouble
now exists. The soldier is fed, clothed.
if need be, and furnished transportation
almost immediately upon his arrival
The imperfect and brief sketch that
have thus given, will serve to convey
general idea Of what is expected will be
accomplished by the institution Of Camp
Smith, and will, doubtless, prove sceep-
table matter to your legion Of army
readers, especially. ALPHA"