Year: 1863

.Ispeall or pen to write, they shall be de
Tended. If fail to do this, would be


devoid of every principle OF honor and


recreant TO duty.


During last week visited the regiment


to say farewell, and cheer the men by
lsuch words rs l could speak to them. 1t
was very sad for me to do this. Some OF


them had stepped forward with me on the
week after the assault on Fort Sumter,
had volunteered with me for three wears
at Camp Dennison, had been brave and
true soldiers and companions in arms, had


made with me many weary march, had
endured with me many a hardship and
disaster in battle, had, when bullets
| flew thick and fast and when pressed by
overwhelming numbers, stood firm at my
| bidding and retrieved the fortunes Of the
| day at Winchester, when the Brigade and


a portion of the regiment for time was
| in confusion they are the heroes, every
one, of many a hard fought battle; they
have been under my command, treating
me with The highest respect, obeying every
order cheerfully and with soldier-llke
promptne>s,-and when l came to say
farewell, and be separated from them,
and not permitted longer to share their
honor and glory, il was indeed a sad and
trying hour to me. --.


| am happy to be able 10 state that the
regiment is IN excellent condition and
health. The men have improvised COM
Portable quarters covering them with
their shelter tents, and they looked well
and were in good spirits. The surgeons
morning calls are attended by very few.
Company II, has sent but one man to
hospital, in three months, and it is very
rare that the surgeon is needed in the
company. 1t is the largest in the regi-
ment having over fifty duty men. The
aggregate morning report is 629 present
and about. OF these about four hundred
are present for duty. -i


The Trumbull county men are very in
dignant over the publication of the Con-
stit,it:0H Newspaper. More than one
soldier cnquired earnestly, "what are the
people at home doing to prevent the pub
licatiOn of such a newspaper One or
two copies have found their way TO the
regiment. One of the sOldIers-one of
the Champion boys, picked one up to read
it, but soon threw it down and stamped
it in the mud. One said it would not be
we'll for the publisher, if four or five boys
from company IT, should get home to-
gether on furlough He thought that
some how the types and press might be
found in a short time afterwards at the
bottom of the Mahoning.


The regiment made a much longer line
on dress parade than had been accus-
toned to see since the battle of Winches-
ter ......


The old regiment will yet be able to
make further marks upon the enemy, and
win new honors to add to the many al
ready won The 7th will be known as
long as the history of Ohio stands inserib !
ed upon the scroll of time, and may her
brave boys always find q warm spot in the |
hearts of friends and patriots at home.


Please, Messes. Editors, excuse this per- |
sonal letter. The circumstances seemed |
to call it forth; but if uncalled for or in
bad taste, l trust you, and the public |
will go far to pardon the egotism, if it |
should be so called, of one who has assist
ed to enrich the soil of aceursed Virginia
with his life's blood, and is now disabled
and discharged soldier.


l expect to be at home next week, and |
shall try to pursue the peaceful calling of
the law. Very Truly,


j. F. ASPER.