Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-02-23
Letter from the ssth regiment.
CAMP On BRio., 20 Div tirH A. c., !
SIsIER's FERRY SouTI CAROLINA,
E.hru,rv 70 gfh f-ls \

Col. G. L. PooRMAN, Sir:-The mail
goes out in an hour. There is great anxiety
in all parts Of Camp to send letters home,
for the reason that this is our first day up
on the sacred soil" Of South Carolina; il
also may he the last opportunity we shall
have for some time to communicate with
our friends Of. the North. ..-s- :. y
We left the city of Savannah on the Goth
ult., moved the first day distance Of ten
miles along the Macon and Savannah Rail
road and cncnmped; remained there three
days, on account Of bad weather, perhaps,
or it may be TO await the movements of
other parts Of the army. On the oath we
continued our leisurey tramp toward this
place, passing Springfield and crossing
The Runs" chain of miserable swanps
that empty into Ebonezer Greek. We had
to wade one oftkese, on the morning of the
9th, at aldcpth Of two or three feet, for
distance OF one hundred and fifty yards. -
There was great coolncss" manifested in
this operation, inasmuch as it had been
sufficiently cold the night previous to pro
duce ice an inch in thickness over the small
er ponds.
We eacampea on Friday the 2Sth, on
the other side Of the river from our present
place of meeting and remained there till
yesterday, when, in compliance with orders
previously received, we crossed over and are
now encampcd in the Old South State. -
We have bid farewell to Georgia, we hope
forever, unless it be that, at some future
time. we may return to visit some Of the
graves Of our fallen comrades.
Tho troops Of this Brigade, as well as of
all other parts of the Army are 10 most ex
cellent spirits, as any one might testify who
should spend day among U.S. Yesterday
afternoon was bright AMI pleasant the sun
was warm enough to make the shade invi-
ting. The troops of the Brigade were put
in readiness to march, and the trains were
parked on the river bank. Several trans
ports were maneuvering in the winding
channel; trains and troops of other com,
mands were passing over continually, ex.
cept when the pontoon had to be broken
for the passage ofa steamer Most of the
Regiments unfurled their ceiors as they
moved across and great enthusiasm prevail
ed among all orders of Uncle Sam s boys as
they walked for the first time upon South
Carolina SOIL AT this side of the river, du-
| ring the whole day, as one after another of
the members of the different commands
stepped from the bridge upon the bank,
could besheard such expressions as these:
South Carolina, at last" How are you
South Carolina?" Here's your South
Carolina :" "Now we're on the 'sacred soil. 4"
"Now we'll 60 for you" Marching on
Branchville." Here's nerve for South
Carolina" &c &c. The colored servants,
too, regarded the movement as an impor-
tant one, and commented upon it according.
iy-one thought that Dem rebs hab to run
again"--another remarked, "dee yankees
is 'raidin Souf kerliny now, suah, "--"Git
out o dis house, says another, II pay de
rent mescf."
The whole Of Sherman's army has now
fairly entered the lists against the first Of
the Rebel States, and woe to the enemy
that may attempt to arrest their progress
within her borders. Certain il is that many
lives will be lost, though some are almost
ready to hope, that, until the Inauguration
OF peace the enemy may have judgment
enough to keep his distance, and that the
only blood shed will be that Of the hogs,
cattle and poultry necessary for our meat
! ratlons. On our Tip from Savannah to
where We again struck the river, we found
forage in abundance, without leaving the
road any considerable distance. The ope.
ration OF foraging for subsistence as prac.
ticed by this army gives an admirable com
bination Of business and pleasure. Any
one having taste for adventure can have
it gratifed to its full extent by getting on
the foraging detail. The residents of the
country through which we pass are gener-
ally afraid Of foragers. They acquired this
disposition, however, previous to being dis
turbed by the Yankees, the irresponsible
Cavalry Of the South having taught them
lesson in the matter. Our foragers com
monty get the credit among citizens Of be-
ing more merciful than their own army.
Stragglors sometimes commit depredations,
but those Of the regular detachment are re-
sponsibc for their conduct and they are not
allowed to appropriate any but articles of
subsistence unless they are found 10 swamps,
buried in the ground orlotherwise, hid away
from the private dwellings.
The following "order" in relation to for.
aging has been circulated to-day, though
there is good reason to believe that it did
not come through the regular official chan.
mel: '.a
llEApoUARrERs Mn. DIV oY ruE Mss .
SsrERs FERRy, =, O., Feb. q, Is8S,
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 1901.
The army during the ensuing campaign
will subsist chiefly by foraging off the coun.
try through which it passes, and will he
governed by the following rules:
!. Each Regimental Commander will de.
tail ioragiug party each day while on the
march. BOZ I y "a a4.' 10 J. :" -
=. No detail shall be made to exceed the