The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1864-07-19
Letter from the 15lth,
NEW CREEK, W. Va, !
July 9th, 1864. !

July 9th, 1864.
EDITOR SENTINEL: r---
The forenoon of the 4th Of July was quietly
passed at Greenland Gap and nearly every
one seemed to feel patIotiGally eonte4ted,
Everything was lovely" until about
o clock, and we were anticipating 4 little
demonstration BY Co. \. when the word was
"Boys get your traps on, "pull down your
tents" and in a few minutes our camp look
ed quite desnlate,
The wagons were loaded in double quick
time and after destroying some army rations,
all the forces ct Greenland Gap started to-
wards this post. ] presume we were on the
way within an hour after the dispatch came
fer US TO move. ESQ H
From o'clock till after midnight we were
marching, and had to cross the Alleghany
mountains. 1t was quite severe on the boys
TO march over such road without supper
and they were very glad to get the privilege
of lying on the roadside from one o. clock till
four Tuesday morning, when we were arous-
ed and again took up our line Of march, aud
reached New Greek by II o'clock, having
marched SO miles in - hours, over a rough
mountain road
We set up our cotton tents on the hot sand
at this place, and last night we slept in the
trUest sense of the word but to-day the order
came for us to go back 10 Greenland Gap,
and this evening at G clock we viii in all
probability, be on the way to that dslecaBle
locality,
We feel willing TO do sour duty, but VIC do
not think that every General understands
what our duty is, or else he is woefully
regardless Of our feelings.
There has been considerable excitement
here for a few days. and many rumOrs O.
] hon Tr,I, al,
falling back and hundred others, come TO
our ears, and how are we poor privates to
know any thing ab9qt affairs-our duty isto
obey and we do so with a resignation Earthy
of the esteem of old soldies.
'sNIuEs,
OF the 74th, speaks of us in very con-
temptuous and contemptible manner, be-
cause some one gave his opinion concerning
the efficiency of the 154th.
But Why make SO fierce on attack on the
Ohio NATIONAL GHards Why not turn his
attention e the one who stirred up his
wrath
But since We are attacked, We must cor
tainly fight for our position, and whether
the attacking party be rebel or soldier Of
the Union army, we are wiling to try.
And unpleasant asit may be 10 have i'll
feelings between the soldiers Of the Union
army, circumstances may directus to defend
ourselves.
We are not aware that we have committed
any unpardona6le ofense. We did not think
that our response to the call of the Gov. Of
Ohio was to be the occasion Of cur reproaeh;
but since our friend miles has displayed
his venomous feeling toward us, we acknowl-
edge that he can now have the pleasure Of
knowing We are surprised at his animosity.
Had we been rebels, eontending against
this best Of governments and trying to de-
strOy the worlds last hope of liberty, then
VIC could understand why Union soldier
should be so vindictive towards US; and he
claims that the feeling is general in the
army
But may we be allowed to claim that we
arc soldiers fer tie Union-engaged With
brother sIIilcs' in the game good cause of
uphOlding the starry emblem of Freedom
aud think it our duty to encourage euery
Union soldier however humble his posi-
tion may be, by every means in our power,
aH2 furthermore we consider "Niles" has
erred from his duty by -inveighiVg against
us instead of encouraging that fegling Of
triendiiness which every frHe patriot could
desire.
His assertion that "nO one deserves es-
peeial honor for doing his duty" may be true
or may be false, for uught / care, but surely
she does not think that any one deserves
reproach for doing his duty
lie who oonscienciously does his duty,
whether it be at hOne-ghere many have
done agreat deal moro good than il they had
gone into tic army, or whether they have
spent their time part at home and part in
the arny-sq le does his duty as = Union
man no one should pour abuse because he
does so. la 4a
"NIiles' resorts to ribaldry and amuses
himselfby calling us names.
This is always an easy task-any one
can study up plenty Of uames for any class
Of persons, and there is usually more harm
than goodih it.
If no one deserves honor for doing his
duty, then the chief officers Of our govern
ment and alIthe Union news paper writers
have labored undera wrong impression, and
no doubt "ATiles' in his presentstat Of mind
would so decide.
We viii not indulge in calling names but
leave this to miles aud The rebels.
But friend "AIiles, instead Of hurling cpl
thets Of scorn against each other, let US en- I
courage every one engaged on our side and 1
throw bullets into the ranks Of traitors.
tUnited we stand divided We fail
Honor to the old soldiers and the new.
Honor to "Miles, aud success 10 the Union
Yours ip haste.
P. 5. We are Just ready to start to Green /
land GaS G O'Clock P. NJ Wednesday July /
9th 1863.