Year: 1861

sight of in the sublime. We could see be


yond the Ohio river, into the State of 0hit


also into the State of Kentucky. We coul


plainly trace the course of the Kanawha


as on its banks the mountains rose highe


and more abrupt, while beyond, the noun


tains lessen into hills, and the hills vast


into a valley. On the sides of the distan


hills, we could see an occasional farm, wit


its fields of golden grain, ready for harvest


Peak rose above peak, till they reachet


the Kanawha, when the climax seemed


reached, and they descended in the SAM


proportion, till they reached the valley be
yond the Ohio. On the very top of thi


mountain, lives a family-an Ohio tami


Lg-of course they are Union.


t Notwithstanding the great heighth o.
these mountains, they seem to be fertile
and the farms are about as good as in tht
valleys. We frequently found springs ma
king out from the rocks at the side of til,
road. Water is abundant on any part o.
the mountain, and think springs are more
plenty than in the valley. The mountain
rivulet is often seen crossing the road, anG
sometimes we have to cross one of these
rivulets two or three times 1t will take
circuit round the side of the mountain,
and, as if tired of its wanderings, cross the
road near the place we last saw it.


Near the top of Powell's Mountain, in
a kind of basin on the hill side, is very
fine farm, containing. [ should Judge, a.
bout 500 acres. 1t is 600 or 500 feet a.
bove the level of the valley below, and yet
it is well-watered, and well-timbere and
quite as fertile as the valley. The owner
lives and fourishes in this quiet home, and
L should say is quite as happy as though
he was in city. He has become accus-
toned to the loneliness of his mountain re-
treat. The mountain scenery has become
familiar to hints very wildness has a
charm. He is eontented to make but two
visits in year to the distant settlement.
1t is literally true 'that home is where the
heart is.


Our first position in our present Camp
was the worst we ever had. 1t was in a
swamp-mud foot and half deep-with
all sorts of living things from snakes six
feet long, to ground Holsters, circulating
round. If one sat cup of water by his
side on lying down at night, he was sure
to find frog in it On awakening in the
morning. Before coming to this Camp, l
thought nothing would make me sick, so
far as exposure was concerned, but here l
was compelled to acknowledge that was
sick. The water run in torrents through
our tents, at every shower. At last this
state of things became so oppressive, to-
gether with the fact that almost every one
was getting sick, as to induce Col. Tyler
to select an encampment on the hill. We
are now pleasantly situated, but before 60
ing to sleep at night We have to drive down
stake to put our feet against, so as to
prevent our sliding down hill


This valley affords better chance for
furnishing a table. than any We have found.
The Union men, what few there are. bring
into Camp all kinds of produce. We get
chickens, and occasionally some milk and
butter. We also purchase corn bread of
these people. We buy it in sufficient
quantities to last several days, so that if
we are called upon to march VIC will have
something to eat. A piece of corn bread
and bacon, with cup of coffee, makes
very good meal. The boys are beginning
to learn the science of living in Camp, and
to practice economy. They are using less
coffee, so that in the course of a week they
save several pounds, this coffee they ex-
change for milk. potatoes, chickens and
in fact for all articles of food which they
have been accustomed to at home. The
Union men are very willing to make the
exchange, from the fact that they have
had very little coffee since the rebellion be-
gan. 1t has almost entirely cut off their
supply of this article, as well as sugar and
other kindred necessaries. Coffee they
cannot get shert Of 35cts per pound, and
of course little coffee saved by the boys.
provides them with great many little
comforts, as produce is very cheap. Ihave
heard few complaints with regard to IA
tions for the past month. One reason for
this is that they have been better provided
of late, as We have threatened the Quar-
ter-Master with Court Martial if he did
not do better. The greatest pest of a SOL
dier's life is dishonest government con-
w udNC Jul OANCl-
ly not to take any ratiOns unless he gets
all the Company are entitled to. We have
an Orderly that knows his business and
dares attend to it James P. Brisbinc
should and will be remembered by boys of
Co. H.


Sunday Aug. 13.-This is a dreary
morning. 1t has rained almost constant
ly for the past few days. To-day it re-
minds me of Autumn. The chilly wind
whistles round the corners of the tent, and
comes in gusts from under it. making
one feel as if he had the ague. We are
compelled to bury ourselves up under our
oil-cloth blankets in rainy weather, as our