The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1898-12-21
First West Virginia
CAMP CONRAD,
Columbus. GA.
Dec. 18th, 1898.

eral,' sounded, and in less than a
quarter of a minute every tent of
the First West Virginia was pros
trate upon the grounds at Camp
Poland. The atmosphere was very
cool and no time was lost in our
getting ready to start on our south
ern journey. We were escorted to
the station by the 9Th Ohio. We
left Knoxville in three sections,
the last one leaving about 2 O'CLOCK
p. m. Our battalion arrived at
Columbus, Ga. about p. m. Sun
day. We were several hours late,
our delay being caused by a worth
less engine.
Atlanta, Ga, was the principle
city through which we passed, but
as it was about midnight Sat
urday night. we couldn't get a very
good view of the city. When day
light dawned Sunday we were act
uaIly in the cotton fields of the
south, and remained in them the
remaining part of.our journey. In
fact cotton and negroes were about
all we saw during the day. We
| passed through hundreds of acres
of it. Some of the fields had been
picked while others were white
with cotton.
1t is a mystery to me what the
inhabitants live on, as we could
see nothing except cotton and t n
occasional corn field AS far as ]
was able to see, not one family out
of a half dozen had even a garden
If what we saw was fair sample
of Georgia farms, it certainly must
be the poorest State of the Union
Upon our arrival at Columbus
we Immediately proceeded to our
company ground, which is situat-
ed just north of the city. 1t was
in fine condition (?) to receive
us. having been recently plowed
The soil is of sandy nature and
consequently don't get muddy.
The most of the time since our
arrival has been spent in making
streets, fixing tents, Sc, $" that we
are getting in tolerably fair shape
for living.
On the evening of our arrival we
received an invitation to take sup.
per with the 16Oth Indiana, which
of course we accepted, and it is no
doubt but what they thought il
was the first we had eaten since we
left Knoxville. and they were not
far wrong. There are three regi-
ments here and very strict military
discipline is exacted. We have
only two drills each day except
Sunday. Sund y is inspection day,
There seems to be more objec-
ton entertained against our even
ing roll call than any other duty
to which we are subjected. This
occurs at 8 o'clock in ~" vening
which is considerably .fter bed
time of the average soldier, and
they protest severely at being
routed out at that time to answer
to their names
There was heavy frost the first
morning after our arrival here.
since that time it has not been SO
cold. Yesterday seemed like n
juno day. The citizens st that
most of the winter is rainy, snow
being a rare thing here.
The health of the regiment is
excellent.
All of our company came with
us except Corporal Frank Higgin-
bothom, who is in the Second Di-
vision Hospital.
Sergeant Hanley engaged tools
and material and set up a stove
factory, making them for 81 90
apiece, so you bet the boys intend
to keep warm.
Chas. Polling. who was recently
promoted from a Corporal to a Ser
1
geant, and who was under arrest
for disobeying orders, was acquitted
of the charge, much to the salts
faction of the whole company.
Our Captain, Fan F. Collett, is
the same as of old-always kind
and good to his men; and is moi
only dearly loved by the men of
his own company, but is spoken of
with respect by the entire regiment.
Our First Lieutenant, Higgin-
botham, is at home on furlough.
Second Lieutenant, Philip
Walker, is detailed to brigade head
quarters, as one of Gen. Wiley's
Staff officers.