Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-04-28
GENERAL Hosp1rAI No. / ]

NASHVILLE, LINN, April l4LQ o.
" Editor Journal: that
Il few lines from a wounded soldie
n Will not be uninteresting to YOU
many readers, 1 have concluded t
pei few lines for your columns
1t is more than one year ago that ou
: Regiment 1.-THE 11th Ohio) bid adie
e to the towering hills and pleasan
: valleys of the Great Kanawha, an,
8 made our abode in Tennessee, anc
3 finally crossing its broad domain o
plantations and negroes, checked VI
E at the great field Of Chickamanga; a
the last / have heard of the BOYS
they were in the extreme front, a
, Ringgold, Georgia. We have hat
sore trials and severe losses sine,
leaving the Kanawha, and our heart.
have often yearned to be back upor
our old stamping grounds OF West
Virginia. But our days of service
are fast being numbered, and the
heart is yearning for happier and
more joyous, hallowed ground, made
so by the memory of friends, and
the cheer that awaits our return. II
is Home, home, sweet, sweet nome!
What fond anticIpations are linger-
ing in our hearts to-day, at the
thought of a speedy reunion around
the hearthstones of home, anticipa-
tions fraught with love, made strong
er and more pure during long and
eyentful absence! We also have an
ticipations OF speedy peace, when
war shall be heard no more, and
when all will be able to sing with
hearts overflowing with gratitude:
''The Union of hearts-the Union of
hands,
The Union of States none can
sever;
The Union of lakes-the Union of
lands,
And the flag of our Union forever!"
May we soon realize such a rejoi-
cing-realize the fact that the nation
is stronger and more firmly bound
in unity and prosperity than ever be-
fore, and hand down to our children a
history and heritage that is not only
grand in prospect, but sublime and
magnificent in structure.
The 11th did not feel inclined to
re-enlist as veterans, because they
desire little quiet rest and repose
among their kindred and friends;
and when they have sufficiently re-
cruited their health and strength.
they will again be found upon the
watch towers of the nations bulwarks
doing battle for liberty, and all that
is dear to every American heart
However. seventy-one of nnr nnm-
Der have gone as pets" and we
wish them God speed; while the bal
ance will go home in June, to be
married, etc.
Your correspondent is still suffer
ing from a wound received at Chick
amauga, but he'll get over it in its
own good times. Printers are calcu-
lated to have the ''paUience of Job"
in every circumstance, and / freely |
submit to my lot. The weather is !
delightful, and birds are singing
everywhere, and the irksomeness of
confinement is quite severe If L
could stay out doors, and lie down
in the shadow of tree, l would feel
firstr rate. The grass is peeping up
from beneath the decayed sod-the
flowers and Peach trees are in full
bloom, and all nature begins to wear
her wonted robes of beauty and low.
illness, and l would really love to rev.
el amidst its fragrance and drink at
its sparkling fountains. Beams of
sunlight dance DER our path way un-
til the god of day sinks to rest in his
bed of gorgeous ''clouds of silver
Innings
I know that you at home heave
many sigh of pity for us poor sol
diers," and long for this "cruel war
to be over" and l know, too, that the
sweet- hearts, (alas! your correspon-
dent cannot boast of such an article }
are pining and wishing he were
here" The soldier too, is busy
with thought, calling to memory
"a maiden young and fair,
With brow of snowy whiteno SIS,
Shaded by light auburn hair; |
Who upon one moonlight evening,
Meath the towering old oak tree,
When the moon was shining brightly
Promised to be true to mel"
Yes, we are thinking, and may we
all have the full realization of our
happy thoughts-happy here, and
happy in the great hereafter.
1 would like to tell you some great !
strategic movements, but 1 am too
far from the base of operations to
note facts. So far as know "all is |
quiet on the Cumberland" but is not
likely to remain SO long, because
Gen. Grant has been granted the pos
sessions of Georgia, and other re-
bellious States, and he is going to
have them The army has full faith
and confidence in the abilities of
Grant to whip the entire Confederacy
in the coming campaign, and he'll
do it, 35r s'
This Hospital contains upwards of
nine hundred patients, the most of
them being wounded, and numerous
deaths occur of late. There is an
average death of three per day. and