Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-01-19

, body. He died instantly.
, Our column halted for the night, and j
the morning the fort in which the two Reb'
pieces bad been operating was found evst
uatod. Two miles further brought us {
the Charleston Rail Road. The road acros
the swamp upon which our column ap
preached this point is straight as the short
est distance between two points. The smok
Of the burning timbers in front obstructe,
the view in that direction. The morniuI
was foggy, with the slightest possible sprin
kle Of rain. The sombre sandy way va
broad and solid. The moss on the cypres
trees on either side hung with goats beart
solemnity from the limbs Of each almost t,
their roots. The tread Of each battalion
was slew and measured, while the booming
of heavy guns far to the front were tolini
for the death of Rebel hopes that were t
be destroyed with another Of their strong
positions. 1t was, at ence, picture o.
strange sadness and inexpressible beauty
Our column was funeral procession; the
trees were weeping; the sun, in sorrow
withheld bis smiling rays, and universal ma
ture seemed to deplors the sad necessity oi
war. ..lI rI.--
1t was not more than mile from where
tho road was first broken to whore the Reb.
els had their line of defense. Our Corps
moved Immediately into position, and held
the same with very little variation until the
city fell ibis our hands. The Second Brig
ade did not have 4 man hurt during the
siege.
On the 14th it was announced in orders
that Fort McAllistcr bad fallen, and that
full communication had been established
with the outside world. This was a glad
day fer the soldiers of the Army of Georgia.
We have been having a holiday tiae Of it
ever since. We have had oyster suppers
and sereuades in every part Of the COM
mand, while Gen. Sherman celebrates the
season by experimenting a review of the
Grand Army.
But we have used too much space al
ready, and will close by giving brief des-
cription of the review Of the 14th Army
Corps. The 9th was the day appointed.
The troops appeared in light marching Or
der, and having marched into the city, were
formed in line on the principal streets to
await the passing Of the General Command
ing. The ID division was drawn up on
Tstnall street. with the right resting at a
crossing. We stationed ourselves with a
large crowd of spectators at this crossing.
Another division was IN line on this cross
street. whose name we do not new remem-
ber. Soon sound of music foated to us
from the right of this division; the line
quivered slightly and then grew steady; the
street was hushed; and the Chief made his
appearance in the distance He came
slowly along the lines, the colors dipping to
the breeze as he passed them with uncover
ed brow. 1t was sight to thrill the dullest
nerves. But when with his brilliant Staff
and Escort, be wheeled around the corner
there was peal of glad sounds from the
silver bugles, which honor he recognized by
raising his hat high in the air; his horse, as
noble an animal as ever snuffed battle,
pranced to the music and champed at the
bit with open mouth. 1t was vision never
to be forgotten and harmonized well with
the beauty and grandur of every thing
around. The day was beautiful. There
had been rain the night previous which
had improved the roads, and the air was
just cool enough to be pleasant.
There are some superbly beautiful streets
in this city, with their avenues oflive-eaks,
that spread their evergreen branches from
one side Of the street to the other, over
shadewing here and there monu ment with
its enclosure of white railing at the centre
of crossing Bull street has four rows Of
shade trees, with green sward down the
centre and drive on each side of the
sward. between it and the pavement.
After the General had passed the troops,
ho placed himself at the head Of this street,
in front Of the Exchange Building, while
the whole column, marching by companies,
passed him in review. Here again we're
grouped officers of the highest rank on
either side of the patriot leader, and on the
first and second balconies absve and on top
of the building around the eupela were
other groups in brilliant uniform. The flag
of the grand army floated msjestically to
the breeze, while the smoked and tattered
colors of the different battalions passsd
beneath, and to each again as it passed was
barred the brow of as noble chieftsin as
ever led his columns to victory. .g
When we think Of the scenes and circum-
stances attending this grand military levee
and of its illustrious leader, we cannot help
apprspriating from the eulogy on Lafayette,
"Of all the pageants that ever glttered to
the sun, when looked his burning eye on a
sight like this?' a'a s.. ~.
The friends Of the 9Sth Regiment may
rest assured that we are all in the best Of
spirits, and especially so since yesterday
morning, when we were electrified by the
return Of Lieut.. Mckinley Of Co. "a, "
who was captured by the battle of Chick
amauga. He made his escape from Rebel
''durance vile" at Columbia. S. c., on the
10Th ult 1t was his third attempt to escape
I