Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-01-27
LETTER FRo,r REV. =. BusHNEEi..
Q. ). SANITARY OOMMIsoIUNi
CRY PoINT. VA. Jan. I6- 1865.

CRY PoINr, VA, Jan. 16,- 1865.
EDITOR JoURNAL:-As ! have few leisure
hours devote portion of it to your readers.
The morning is very fine, but pretty cold The
sunrise was as beautiful as in Ohio, and there
are no sounds about us peculiar to war. But
there is the constant hustle of busines, as teams
are moving to and fro, long teams of mules
with sable drivers.
We denizens of the Black Swamp have been
accustomed to think that we knew something
of mud and bad roads. Simple souls! Com
paratively the great Black Swamp is never
muddy | have heard of our armies not being
able to move on account of mud. But | had no
idea of what the reality is. Think of team of
six mules houndering along just able to draw
wagon containing not over half cord of pine
wood. One needs but TO look at one of these
mud holes to see that they are well nigh bot
tomless.
left home Wednesday morning Jan. lIth
and proceeded to Cleveland, where procured
my commission as delegate to the U. s Chris
tan Commission, and was sent to Philadelphia.
At I:30 p NJ. took the train for Pittsburg-
As far as Wellsville the cars afforded fine IL
lustration of Philippians iv. 5th. But thereaf-
ter we went at better rate, From Pittsburg
| to Philadelphia we were on a fast train, but
not so ''fast" as some young men have known
of The night was tine-being full moon. All
| have seen of the Alleghanies was by moon
light. At Philadelphia reported at the office
of the Christian Commission, and received a
pass to Baltimore but did not leave till Friday
morning. Left Baltimore on steamer Friday
p. NJ. Az o'clock. Saturday morning found
us at Fortress Monroe where we had time mere
ly to get breakfast and change steamers. From
and after leaving Baltimore we had to have
military passes, as we were entering army
lines. At Philadelphia, Baltimore and Fortress
Monroe, we found accommodations for the COM
fort and entertainment of the delegates. 1t
made one think of Bunyan's Pilgrim, finding
frequent entertainment along the road. We
arrived at City Point Saturday P. NJ, at q !
o'clock, and found conveyance to take us up
to the Commission Rooms about one mile.
As it was Saturday, it was decided that
remain here till this (Monday) morning, before
entering upon my work. Yesterday went out
a short distance upon the military Railroad, and
preached to some soldiers of the 3rd COnnecti-
cut Battery, and a corps of New York Engin-
eers. This afternoon l am to go some seven
miles on the Rail Road to ''Meade Station, -
where am to go to work.
Yesterday was an interesting day. In the
morning Chapel was dedicated at Meade Sta
ton, and in the evening another here. The lat
ter service l attended. The Chapel here is six
ty by thirty-five feet built of rough boards, but
very comfortable. Itwas crowded at the dedi-
cation Another Chapel is to be dedicated to-
day, but | do not know where.
The buildings here are mostly temporary
Let me describe the one in which have So
iourned since Saturday. 1t is specimen
brick, " though the dimensions are very various.
Well, this tabernacle was made for the use OF
about twenty delegates of the Christian Com
mission Itis about twenty feet by thirty
The sides are made of pine logs, split and sci
up endwse in the ground, la regular stockade
Four pairs of rafters are then put up, pretty
steep and over the whole canvas cover is
stretched. The gable-ends are made of pine
boards. In each end is door, and in one
window. But few of the stOckades have win-
dows as the cover admits sufficient light. The
men sleep in hunks made for that purpose. In
the middle is sheet iron stove, and a long
rough table over which hangs large lamp. In
the rear is a wash-room, and at one side din.
ing ROOM The men manage to live very com.
fortably.
As came here | saw only few marks o
war; Fort McHenry at Baltimore, Fortres,
Monroe, Fort Powhattan and Harrison's Ian.
kding were points of interest The wreck of the
Cumberland, run down by the Merrimac, is
still visible as also the masts and spars of the
pirate Florida-sunk by somebody. Whatever
have been able to see so far of the civilization
here abiding before the war; indicates that il
was far behind the times. The whole country
unquestionably needed nothing 50 much as the
extinction of slavery and the enterprise o.
northern men. May it get both.
The station to which am assigned is said tC
be within sight of Petersburg. Perhaps shal
have something more to tell you after get there
E. B.