Year: 1863

Ed. JOURYAL:-A minrte inspection of
of Mitchelrs map of the United States,
will reveal the fact that there is village
boasting the euphoneous title of Rum
sey, beautifully located on the classic
stream Of Green River. l do not pro-
pose to dwell upon the beauties of the
village or the irresistible attractions of
the female divinities who minister to the
pleasure and comfort of the brave hearts
who are here in the defense of our coun-
try, no, far from it.


My theme is one more sorrowful, and
nothing but sense of duty impells me
to the performance of my task


The necessity of the preservation of
the Locks on Green River, is patent to
all when it is known that this stream is
the great artery through which General
ROsecrans receives supplies for his gal
lant army. To make the Locks at this
place doubly sure, Col Foster detailed
two companies of the 65th regiment,
Capt. Hammond and Capt. Beckett S
command, and Capt. Peppers company
of cavalry, under command of Major
Brown, to guard the interests of Uncle
Sam at this place.


How we'll they have or will perform
their duty is not necessary for me to
say. Col. Foster is too good an officer
to only half perform his duty, and | will
venture the assertion that the Colonel, at
least has no fears in regard to this point,
but l have not yet struck the theme
proposed to dwell upon, which is in re-
gard to our pay-long since due, but not
yet forthcoming-there is universal de-
termination to stand by the colors pay or
no pay.


Yet there are some mortifying facts
which | will mention, connected with the
non-fulfllment of the promises of Uncle
Sam.


We are at all times willing to endure
the privations and hardships of camp
life for our country's sake We have
been busily engaged in hunting guerril-
las in the southern part of Kentucky for
the last six months, and oft times have
been called out in the inclement weather
at the dead hour of midnight, but being
anxious to do our duty, and obey orders
from higher authority, we have never
murmured.


But the question of "Where is the pay
masterY is beginning to be serious
one, and if our friends only knew the
condition of the officers at this post they
would be ready to say with us, "Where
is the paymaster? We have been anx-
ious to pay our bills and get along
through the campaign with at least a
show of honesty, but our means have
| long since become exhausted, and some
| of the officers have been reduced to the
! painful necessity of pawning their cloth
! ing for their board. Major Brown and
i Capt Pepper have this morning acutely
pawned their coats to the hotel keeper.
Capt Hammond cannot pawn his, for il
is not worth pawning, but his boots will
! probably have to go tomorrow. Lieut.
Bass coat has been worn out and thrown
away for some time, but he has
given up his vest, which does not cover
his board bill by id sight. Lieut.
Chambers sold one pair of his pants yes
terday, and thinks the other pair will
have to go soon. But these officers are
not out of heart yet; they are still deter
mined to serve their country, and thai
they may still keep up the dignity Of
their rank, they have stipulated with
the landlord that they are to retain Their
shoulder straps and side arms. The
shoulder straps, for the time being, will
be attached to the vests of those that
have any; when the vests are gone they
will be attached to their shirts, and wher
the shirts 60 little of Spanldings pre-
pared glue will be used to fasten them tc
the naked shoulder.


1t is currently reported that the pay
master came out OIL the first day of Jan
uary, and ground hog fashion, saw hi
shadow and went back to his hole to re
main six months. Is there any truth il
the report?' New u. S. GUNBoATs.