Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1864-1865, 1865-02-16
Correspondence Of the Journal.
FROM THE f2iTH REGIMENT.
HEADoUARTERs l2lth Indiana, J
Camp StOnenan, near Washington
-

February lst, ls65. \
On the 18th Of January we bic
farewell to the ''sunny South" anC
turned our faces towards the cold anC
icy regions of the North. We founo
the transition any thing but pleasant
at least so far as congeniality of eli
mate was concerned. When we left
the southern border of Tennessee
the temperature of he atmosphere
was most delightful-vegetation had
already commenced budding into
beautiful verdure, and birds were
warbling their sweet notes Of melo-
dy-upmlstakable evidences that
.spring time was coming again"
Ne came on transports from Cliff
ton to Cincinnati-making the trip
in six days, laying over one night III
consequence OF the density of the
fog on the river, making it danger
ous to navigate. The l24th was on
board the Majestic, Il new boat, ele-
gantly furnished, and commanded by
as gentlemanly and clever Captain
as can be found on the river. We
all enjoyed his hospitality and the
trip hugely.
Coming from Paducah to Cincin-
natl we were every where cnthusias-
ticaliy cheered by the citizens on
both sides Of the river. | do not
recolleot of passing n single dwelling
in view of the river. where far ladies
were not waving their white hand
kcrchefs, and the men fairly tossing
their hats in the air. and cheering at
the top of their voices. Not I'M
frequently we found groups OF ladies
collected on the bank of the river,
greeting us with their smiles and
waving miniature flags with the stars
and stripes enblazoned on item. !
need not tell you that our gallant
and brave boys uniformly responded
to such evidences OF loyal hearts,
with 4 will. Amid such outoushlng
demonstrations Of appreciation OF
their services to the country, they
forget all their hardships, priyations
and suffering, resolving anew to
stand hy their country, "sink or
swim. live or die, survive or perish"
We remained at Cincinnati twenty
four hours, supplying The men with
clothing and i've days rations. Here
we cot transportation by rail for
Washington city, via Columbus, Bel
laire, Cumberland and Washington
junction. The men and line officers
were transported in box cars, with
out stoves; the weather being intense
" cold, the suffering OF the men was
almost beyond endurance.
Leaving Cincinnati on tie 2fth,
we arrived ct Columbus the following
morning, when, for want Of rolling
stock, or some other cause, we were
compelled 10 lay over until II o clock
p. ". All this while the soldiers
we're compelled to remain in the cars
without fire; there being no place
provided for them where they would
be comfortable, or shielded from the
piercing cold that swept through
the streets. We had supposed that
in tie Capital Of the gr1at and pro-
Tessealy ioyol State of 0hio, some pro
vision would have been made for the
comfort of the soldiers. in extreme
cases of this kind, and that is citi-
zens would at least manifest some
disposition TO evidence their regard
for, and appreciation Of, the services
they had rendered their country
in this hour of her greatest peril
Those brave and patriotic soldiers
have for one. two and three Years.
been defending, at the sacrifice OF
homes. friends and comfort, the Gov
ernment that protects the citizen in
the enjoyment Of his social, political
and religious rights and privileges.
How sadly were our boys disap-
pointed at the cold and illiberal re-
cept;0n they received ct the Capital
OF the Buckeye State. No cheering
bv the male citizens, or waving of
handkerchiefs by fair ladies-alike
regarding the dirty soldier" with
his tattered and scanty clothing, as
beneath the dignity of their notice
not even kind loek or symrathiz