Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-06-23
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE
CAMP NEAR CoLuamUs, Miss, Nav %.

CAMP NEAR COLUMBUS, Miss, May 90
EDuoRs INQUIRER: When | last wrote you
we we're at Montgomery, Alabama, awaiting
orders to move At that time Gen. Grier-
sons command, comprising the 1st and 2nd
brigade, 7th division cavalry forces, Middle
Division, West Mississippi, was encamped
seven miles east of the city, where they had
arrived on their way from Georgia. On the
9th the wagon train joined the command; and
the following day we drew fifteen days rations.
On the 11th, amidst a peltng rain, we left
camp, passing through Montgomery, cross
ing the Alabama on pontoons, and taking the
road to Centreyille, on the Cahawba river,
which place we reached on the 18th Cen
treville is a small town on the east bank of
the river, and, if mistake not, is the county
seat of Bibb county. 1t isnot place of much
importance. Gen. Wilson, during his visit
to the place about month previous, burned
the bridge, so we had quite jolly time ford
ing the stream. The citizens we're under the
impression that we could not get our train
across, but Yankee perseverance was enough
to accomplish that. They watched US with
no little degree of interest.
On the evening of the 10th we reached
Greensboro, thriving town, northeast of
Marion. 1t is situated on high piece of
ground and commands fine view of the
surrounding country. We were the first Yam
KEGS that ever visited that part of the country,
and consequently were quite an object of in
terest, especially to the colored population,
who would watch our movements from be-
hind the buildings. They had been taught to
believe by their masters, that when we come
we would shoot them, and were quite sur
prised when they found that we treated them
differently. The citizens were orderly and
wen disposed toward US, and were very anx-
ious to barter milk, eggs and corn bread for
coffee and sugar. They said they had not
tasted any coffee since the breaking out of
the war. We encamped all night just north
of the town and numbers visited our camp to
obtain some of the delicious beverage. l
tried to obtain copy Of a weekly paper pub
lished in the place, but without avail
The next morning we took the road for Eu-
taw, forty six miles from Columbus, which
place we reached on the 18th. We crossed
the Black Warrior, four miles east of Eutag,,
on pontoons laid down by Forrest Eutaw is
situatedi in a thriving district, and is, by far,
the haudsomest town south that / have yet
been in. Like their fellow townsmen Of
Greensboro, we we're the FIRST real Yankees
that they had ever bebeld
On the afternoon of the 21st we reached
Columbus, Miss, passing through Clinton
and Pickensyille, and crossing several rivers
of minor importance. Columbus is situated
on the east bank of the Tombigbee and, by
the route we came, is go miles from Mont
gomery. 1t is about the size of Bedford. a
branch of railroad, l6 miles in length, inter
sects the Mobile and Ohio railroad, and trains
are now running regularly between here and
Mobile
The troops here at present are the I'd N. J.
and 18th Ind. cavalry regiments and the 10th
Ohio battery. Gen. Lucas left several days
ago with the lst brigade for Vicksburg The
other regiments Of our brigade are stationed
at different points on the Mobile and Ohio
railroad.
Our camp is situated on the west bank of
the Tombigbee, opposite the city. We have
good water, which is about the only thing of
Importance that can think of. The boys
spend their time mostly fishing. A bakery
has been put in operation and in day or two
we win have plentiful supply Of fresh bread.
The health ofthe boys, considering the hard
ships they have went through of late, is good
How long we will remain here am unable
to say. We expect orders every day to pro-
ceed to the Mississippi, either to Vicksburg
or Memphis. As regards the news, we are as.
ignorant as the imam in the moon" North
ern papers are not to be had either for love
or money! All the officers and men concur
in the belief that the war is at an end If
Kirby Smith is so stubborn and foolish as to
hold out after all the rest of the south has
given up, and is for continuing useless
struggle, the consequence be ON his ownhead.
IF they viii not listen to reason, but viii
fight, they must not expect that they win be
handled with kid gloves, Cor the victorious
iegIons of the nation will march to, around
and over them, and defeat and devastation
will be the result to the cause and country in
which the scenes of conflict rage.
We have news here to-day that Kirby
Smith has surrendered, but there is nothing
official
Farmers around here are busy harvesting.
The wheat and rye crop is very inferior
Corn looks wei and promises good crop.
The PAPER / write this on was obtained
from the Confederate Quartermaster's De-
partment at Columbus. 1t is quite inferior to
ours. The envelope is also of Confederate
manufacture.
Truly Yours.
ALBERT SMITH.
+ INTNINfA ~ n A L Y T.yrT,