The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-07-15
FROM THE 4TH ARMY CORPS.
Railroads ia LOuisiRna.--A EeW Way
to SmuggIe Notwithstanding an
AIIigatOr--First Exploit of the Corps
in LOuIsiana--FaVOriIism Ia Rebels.

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HEADQUARTERS 4TH ARMY CORPS,
CoNsERT PLANTATION, LA, June 80, '65.J
EDITORS CLEVELAND LEADER: After
several days mvesIis~GaAI give il as nv
opinion that New Orleans is quite a town,
Louisiana an important circumstance, and
the Mexican Gulf Railroad an adde,lda to
the Seven Wonders. This latter institu-
ton runs through our camp. The grade
per mile is much less than that of any rail,
or section of rail, on the entire route. And
then the rolling stoek-it challenges the
world for comparison. Between its trains
and those of ordinary roads there is but
n similarity, viz, the engine runs ahead.
And such an engineI There is, however,
some "methcd in the madness" of the
architect, as no 6oUine capttrer prefsees it
This article would be supernumersry, as the
slowest COW in the State deserves death if
she can't make better time than the express
train. "Ssndie," (Who, by the way, is the
wit of the corps, suggested to the engineer
the propriety of attaching q cow.eateher
to the rear of the train to guard
against collisions with q~usdrupeds travel
inn in the same direction. 1t would be a
wise provision. The average time is five
miles per hour. The waving of a hand
kerchief is a signal to stop anywhere along
the route, as sacred as q flag of truce. The
tediun1 is relieved by Ice cream, dished out
in wine glasses by a superannuated old
negro who makes a dirty towel subserve the
purposes of soap and water in cleansing
them. Once at the depot in the city, you
jump into a bob-tsiled street car, minus q
tongue, propelled by one d~isconsolate mule,
deposit your fare in a sort of clap.trap,
which, like a graveyard, takes all that
comes. Do, not, like me, thrust in ten
times the amount due, and then "wait all
the appointed days of your life until your
change cometh," for the deposit is a inality.
AThe hucksters swarm around the camp
from morning till night old, young, wrin-
kled, smooth, vinegsr-faced, sweet and
pretty, all vieing with each other in their
laudable endesvors to relieve the boys of
the proceeds of last pay day.
The s~trietest scrutiny consistent with
decency will not prevent them from smus-
Cling in q considerable amount of whisky.
An old hand was arrested yesterday, and
turned over to the officer of the guard for
search. An Gnte morton examination dis
closed seven bottles of spirits fyunenti
ingeniously suspended. Her method of
delivery was original. Having whispered
it around that she was prepared to ill or
ders, she started msjestically for the woods,
followed at 8 respectful distance by an ad-
miring squad. A pair of scissors severed
tbs cord that zauarandad aaak E~SsI-, ~
dropped to the ground, and the dispenser
stslked on while her retainers innocently
gathered the proceeds.
"FuIl many a flower is born to blush ukseen.n
As write, several shots on the Ieyee ar
rest my attention, and a general rush for
the river ensues. A live alligator has dis
covered himself near shore, and the brig
sde is drawn up in line of battle to watch
for his temperance. As he comes to the
surface q shower Of balls greet him st last
he is struck in the eye, 8 yaWl puts out
after him, a moose is thrown over his head.
and the captive hauled ashore amid the
cheers of thousands.
A case has recently occurred which 1
will state briefly, for the consideration of
your readers. The first division landed at
night, or at least q portion of it, in an open
country. No wood was to be obtained for
miles, save the remnants of an old fence.
A rainy night was in prospect. Without
stakes the boys could not erect their tents.
Enough rails we're taken IN mitch thau
and the majority went supperless to bed.
To-day an order comes to assess the dam
age done, and collect it from the officers
and men. The proprietor of the land, to
whom the funds go, held q jubilee to which
his friends were invited, on the receipt of
the news of Lincoln's assassination, and
yet a Msjor General EFFORTS money from
veteran soldiers to compensate him for the
loss of q few rails l am far from being an
advocate of general pillsging, even from
rebals, but when property is taken for the
good of the service, let the government d.
eide whether pay is due, and if SO, nav
for it. ~
would be glad 70 believe that This was
the frat instance of fsvoritism to rebels in
this Corps, but there are several facts on
record which tend TO convince me that IL Is
not all due to ignorance of facts. Good
Judgment is required to keep the veterans
under control at this late dsy, and a few
mdlscretlonsI similar to the above, NAV
disgrace the army and the nation.
We expect to Cross the Calf ere MANI
days. JfR Hy
r AIDES SEA SIDE HATS. A iaTe,