The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-02-09
Letter from tho e9nd Ohio.
BEVonE RrcHMoNp, Va,
y- January "a, 1865.

|
fcnse, and as my congregation is gone
am released from the services of the
sanctuary tonight, for the first time
during the last three weeks; and l
will improve the opportunity this idle
evening affords, to send few items for
your loyal sheet, which may prove
interesting to the many friends of the
old CID Ohio.
Mr. Jefferson Davis-a man of con.
siderable notoriety--has recently been
promising the world a great astonish-
ment. The wonderful scene opened
this morning, in the appearance of
three rebel Rams, attempting to run
past our fleet, down tho James River.
AS they approached our batteries, how
ever, our guns thundered out an ON.
tphatic halt and in a few minutes they
did halt--ono at the bottom of the
river, the others on the beach near by
What the object was in sending down
these war vessels, is a matter of con-
lecture. .-
A witty Irishman, just now leaving
the commissary with basket of pork
and crackers on his arm. thinks he
understands the matter He says they
got so hungry for mutton over there
at Richmond that Davis had to kill his
Rams. Probably he is right, for no
doubt, hunger exertcd strong influ-
ence in the movement Tho sad fate
of tho fleet of the enemy will proba-
bly, savo our lines from an attack
by his land forces but be this as it
may, we hOrbor the belief that Rich
mond will soon be ours.
To me. this sweet anticipation is
saddened by the thought that many of
our brave men who have fought, will
not be there to enjoy tho triumph
This long and bloody campaign has
sent many, very many to their quiet
graves; but their funeral dirge, thank
God, is the death knell of that foul in
stitution which has wrought such a
world of mischief, and shed such sea
of blood in our nation. The cd Ohio,
which now forms a part of the right
wing of the Oath Army Corps, opera
ting against Richmond from the north
side of the Jamcs River, is not tho 62d
Ohio that left camp Goddard three
years ago more than 900 strong. LESS
thai one-fourth of that noble band are
present now. Tho long and weary
marches through the swamps and hills
of Virgina-tho arduous service in
the sand and heat on Morris Island ;
the terrible charge on Fort Wagner,
and the several bloody struggles ofthc
present campaign, account for the alb
sence of so many brave men. True,
somo have been mustered out by rea-
son of the expiration of their term
but many lie mingling with the soil
which their blood has redeemed from
the grasp of cruel oppressors, and
hcartless traitors. Of these | may
mention the names of William and
Andrew Stultz, Joshua Hill, Wallace
f Swinehart, james McNatton, and VIM.
IL. Smutz, who were all citizens OF
, your county, and members of Compa-
ny D. They have left behind them a
noble record.
The officers too, have changed. Only
, two-Lieut. Col. West and Major Platt
who were then commissioned. officers
are with us now Our present officers
are men who have fought their way
from the ranks up to distinction, and
therefore are we'll qualified for their
presentpOstions.
Merit however, is not always re-
warded, save by the pleasure which a
+ consciousness of rectitude and faithful.
ness imparts. This, the following case
will illustrate: William Craig, a pri.
vate of Co. II, was detailed to assist in
the commissary department, and last
August when tho regimont was Or
dered to leave the works at the Hatch.
cr Farm and move to Petersburg, he
, was left in charge of some stores until
, the wagons would return to remove
them. The rebels learning that most
of our forces had left, determined to
attack and ifpossiblc, carry the works,
The attack was made about daybrcol
on the morning of the 24th on our
, picket line, and sharp picket fight
ensued, in which some of our men fell,
, and some wero captured. Craig,
though not ordered, or expected to
, fight, yet seeing the works in danger,
he snatched his gun and ran to their
, defense through a shower of musket
, balls, which camo whizzlng from the
line of the assailants over into OH
camp. A Colonel from New York in
G passing observed him, and called out
, Where do you belong?' "To the gid
q Ohio" "And what are you doing
, hcreH Has not your regiment goneY
: YES but was left to take care o.
some commissary stores, and l heard
! the rebs coming, so | took my gun and
/ came out-I thought might get sigh
+. on Johnny. The Col smiled ant
=. passed on. The rebs did not venture
+ an assault on the works. For this ac
o of fheroism, Craig has not yet been pro