Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-11-24
From the Twentieth Regiment.
NAVY Cove, Mobile PIT, Ala, No

NAVY Cove, Mobile PIT, Ala, Nov. 2.
Editors State Journal: | enclose to you a
copy of my monthly report to the Adjt.
Gen. c. S. A, relative to the "history and
moral condition" of the regiment for October,
1864
Will YOU say to the friends of the 10th for
me. that after more than years experience
as chaplain, | can assure them that they can
do more good at less expense by writing to
their friends in the regiment than in any
other way. Could friends at home see The
Frightening eyes all along the lines On the ar
rival of mail-the glowing countenance of
each on receiving a letter, and the gloomy
looks of non-recipients, you would write.
One of the boys said to me to-day Il think
more of mail day than do of payday" Then
let our friends write. Write about the
weather; write about the yield Of grain :;
write all about the farm-the horses, cows,
poultry and swine; write about the shop, the
different kinds of work; write about the
store, current prices, &c. write about the
family, grandpa and grandma, uncles and
aunts; write how sister or daughter improves
in music, and write expressly about the
youngest child, yes, about the baby; write
about the neighborhood, the debating club
the school, &c. write about common and
uncommon things; write about the minister
and the Sunday school; write of past dies
sings and present mutual sacrifices for our
country-of hopes of future bliss in a re-
union with your friends. Oh! write to the
soldier to be temperate, virtuous and re-
ligious. In word, let all the pent up love
and affection of the heart come gushing in
your letters, to be poured in diluvian fullness
upon the thirsty souls of your soldier friends
But l must stop, or I will do what l had no
intention Of when | commenced, that is Write
q letter upon letter writing ..
Yours for the war, the Union and the sol
diers. A. II. WALTER,
Chaplain goth Regiment.
The following is the report referred to
above:
NAVY COVE, MOBILE POINT, Ala
October 3lst, 1864. {
Brig. Gen. Thomas, AdJ't Gen. U. s. a:
SIR have the honor to report to you the
''history and moral condition. of the goth regi-
ment Wisconsin volunteer infantry, for the month
closing Oct 31st, 1864 We have been camped at
Navy Cove, about four miles from Fort Morgan,
Lieut.. Gel. Starr. commanding. A great deal of
work has been accomplished by the regiment this
month. aave built a telegraph from here to Fort
Morgan and are building "a railroad to the same
point, repairing wharves, barges, and guarding
the approaches the Fort, &c.
The whole number present Including the few at
the Fort) s-enlisted men, sos; officers 81 remain
ing sick list from last month, SO; taken sick
during the month, ia; total, 233; returned to du
ty 1856; sent to general hospital 6; in regimental
hospital now, 5; sick in quarters, &c. decrease
of %. None of the above dangerously i'll and
but one confne to bed.
Religious services (since my return from sick
leave the 10th inst.) have been held three times
per week-preaching twice and prayer meeting
once. have baptized one. The religious element
is growing, songs of praise are heard nightly in the
camp. 1 have circulated 100 hymn books, 40
testaments, coo tract and 1000 papers
Although our moral condition is not what 1 de-
sire, am happy to have the honor to report that
the 20th Wisconsin will compare fayorably with
any regiment I have in the field, for general
good order, temperance and respectful attendance
at Divine Service.
am under great obligations to the U. S. Christ
ian Commission for reading matter.
Respectfully your ob't serv't,
A Ii. WALTER,