The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-14
FROM THE ara ARMY CORPS.
Things on the GuIr Coast "A Trip over
the Pyatrie.-LinKuIstic MtsapPre-
hensiOns-.Army C~hAPIains and
army Presiding.

TN A1CO(e |
ISD1AxoLA, Texas, July oath, 1865.
DEAR LEADER-The sun pours down
his perpendicular rays on scorching sands,
mufquitos pounce upon you eternAlly, dies
tickle your face from sun 10 sun, wstermel-
Ions give you the cholera morbus, cistern
water scowls your countensnce and induces
dysentery, heavy seas prevent the solvent
of steamers bringing mails, board bills are
running up enormously, and things gener-
ally don't remind one of Paradise, but the
Fourth Corps continues to swarm of the
lighters and strike back over the prairies
for wood and water. The process of land
ing an army at such q point IS this is re.
markedly slow, and some days must yet
elApse before all are ashore.
Tired Of city life, q small party Of Us
concluded to try navigation on the open
prairie yesterday. After securing the
town for means of transportation we we're
blessed with an open wagon propelled by
q vicious looking pair of mules, and having
slowed safely away q supply Of necessaries,
mounted and struck out Once out OF the
plains, not q bush, fence, house, or any
| sign of civilization is visible. Vast herds
of cattle stretch sway 10 the horizons
verge, but they might be wild, and would
De mt for those symbols Of civilization
scared deep into shOfr 5POtt~a hide L~-eA
hsres, with ears nearly as large as mules,
bound away from our advancing chargers.
l wonder they did not see q family resem-
blance and await closer acquaintance
After q stretch of sixteen miles under q
broiling sun the village of Lsvscs receives
a hungry addition TO its list of curiosities.
The plump little lsndlady at the San An
tonie House shall have a green spot in my
memory when cattle, prsiries, and mules
are forgotten. Let all travellers know that
the best sign of 8 good hotel is q plump
madam at the window.
"Do not 60 to Spain,
Unless JoG know h eliDgo"
The. force of this beautiful passage never
came home to me with as much distinct
ness as in this same Lavacs. Strolling
around town we came to a house wherein
a goodly number of youngsters were as
| E6mDI6u, anu NCSlucu W onbdEs v Oily kOO4
English was dished up for us, but they oc-
c~asionally RECALLED each other with tit-bits
of Spanish.
Presently the Burritt of the party, who
had picked up q swsttering of the language,
informed US that we we're insulted in q re-
mark made by q suspicious looking return
ed Oonfed. Inssmuch IS the honor Of the
nation was at stake, l deemed it best to de-
msnd the Gn1ende honorable, and indig-
nsntly requested the astonished offender to
step outside. Here, thought 1 is an item
for the LEADER. An extra, containing
full details appeared before me. "Our cor
respondent" wa the central sun in all this
armament of glittering facts. Judge my
surprise and chsgrin on learning that our
Interpreter had entirely nisunder-
stood the language used, and that
the exciting phrase was some
J what complimentary. To tone rough
Mars down to graceful Venus, requires q
skillful artist. There we we're in an stti-
tude intending to be imposing, with decks
cleaned for action. A fair understanding
took the wind from our sails, and broad
side from s half dozen SIS trim looking
crafts SIS ever carried canvas, unnamed
US quite. Fact is those vixenish little
blaok-eyed Spanish girls cleared out the
party. So much for not being q Spanisrd.
The strange sound of "church-g going
bells f" lured me into 8 dilRpidsted struc-
ture wherein were assembled q small num-
Der of officers and citizens. A Chaplain of
come Indiana regiment oficiated, and l
must say that I wss almost ashamed of my
blue clothes. The only reference to the
text in the whole hour was its repetition at
least q hundred times. Over half that
TO be q grand review or t~hsfedeemsd. The
celestisls we're marched and co~untermsrch-
ed at double-quick and slow time, until the
spectators were reeking with perspirs-
ton. The discourse was a burlesque
upon the highest and hottest cor of
humanity, and the audience dispersed sad
or Disguised. 1t is q notorious fact that
the majority of chsplains in our army are
a disgrace to their holy calling. There are
a few glorious exceptions, and among them
Z. M. Crsvath, of the l0Ist Ohio, may be
mentioned. None observed his able and
conscientious discharge of duty, but re-
spected him and the religion that he sdvO-
Gated. j. B. II.