Year: 1862

4 Several OF those at nome are not eApec
ted to live. Thus in seven months ser
vice is our command lessened one-fourth
Let no one think, however, that this is al
unusual rate of mortality. Considering
our inadequate and incompetent medica
attendance-varying with every change
of position-we have been fortunate above
almost all with whom we have been asso
ciated.


1t is no uncommon thing to see Regi
ments with but half the numbers at frs
enlisted. There is a Kentucky Regiment
here with but two hundred able men anc
in ali my observation, since entering the
! field | do not remember to have seen {
/ Regiment with above three-fourths of 1t:
complement of men. In none of these
cases have the losses by death and wounds
in battle exceeded ten per cent. The ac
tual loss of life by war are seldom if evel
known 1t is wisely ordered, for were il
otherwise the whole land would wall il
mourning.


In this connection, let me say to the
ladies-those unchanging friends of the
soldier-whose Samaritan efforts through
the agence of Aid Societies and Concerts
and other less public means have culmi-
mated in procuring such vast aid, and va
ried supplies for the sick that, in my opin-
ion, their stores seldom reach those for
whom they are designed. Since entering
into active service, where these things are
most needed, have not seen an ounce of
such delicacies, though have repeatedly
seen cases of real suffering from the total
absence of any palatable food. Where
the fault lies l will not pretend to say, but
would advise all to send their gifts direct
to the commands they desire to have
benefited, instead of acting through some
intermediate agency as has been done
heretofore. Being deprived of market
of any kind we are forced to depend
wholly upon the charity of those at home.
Let them not forget the sick and suffering
Could one-tenth of the generosity so lib
orally displayed towards us last Fall, in the
way of Pic Mics, now be made available
in ministering to our real necessities, it
might prevent years of suffering and even
save life itself 81 volunteered to serve
my country, and not lie here to starve,"
is the tenor of complaints l have heard
repeatedly from strong men wasted by
sickness, as they turned hopelessly to their
plate of boiled rice and sugar, their only
diet and luxury on being told that we
had sent miles away TO get them lemon
or even a little vinegar to make them a
cooling drink, and all in vain.


But the winter campaign is now fairly
over and to a great extent our life of eX-
posure to unhealthful influences is past.
For the next two months we look for
comparatively healthful state, when we
hope to be permitted to return. God
speed the day.


Rather, however, than a war so justly
waged should fail in its purpose, let it go
on through Summers heat and Winters
cold, till the soil of every rebellious State,
from Virginia to Texas, is whitened with
the bleaching bones of the combatants
against Government upon whose ike
the sun never shone.


May our rulers too, soon become en-
enough to perceive that the way
of right is the way of safety, and that we
can never hope for an endurind, harmoni-
GUS peace till thas demon of unrest
cause of all this woe is utter
ly extipated. To one like myself who
has seen, and now beholds, daily, the ut
ter blight which that soul debasing sys-
tenn has scourged the land of its abode, it
is perfectly unaccountable why its baleful
agency should be so ignored. Kentucky
neutrality was a snare to our feet and
Tennessee loyalty is sham and delu-
sion in this part at least. Would that
some Moses could arise to say to the
Pharaohs of the land "let this people go,
or the more potent voice of the Nazarene
be made effectual, Break every yoke
undo the heavy burden"


Yours as ever,


ARTILLERIST.