Year: 1864

Correspondence OF the Journal.


GERMANTowN, Tenn, Jan. g, 1864.


EDIToR JoURNAL:-I know that a new con-
trhutor is not always welcome, from the fact
that his notions are not always appreciated or
known. My object in writing is to iournalize
in my poor way, the movements and doings of
our regiment of veteran volunteers from this
time until we finally leave the army.
The system or plan adopted by the Govern
ment is the grandest scheme to re-organize an
! army ever before adopted by any power, since
! history gives us any information in regard to the
doings of nations. By this plan veterans, those
who know the duties of soldiers have become
Injured to the hardships of campaign, are kept
in the army, and by their own free will. Men
thus enlisted and paid, are much more efficient
than new recruits either volunteer drafted.
There will be less difficulty in their organization,
than in the case of entirely new regiments.
Though there are those who have re enlisted
without the least idea Of serving their full time,
and some merely for the purpose of getting home
for short time, every one who has watched its
workings must admit the wisdom of the Exec
utive in adopting the plan he has; and it evin-
ces his estimate of the men who compose the
Union army and are fighting this stupendous re-
belon. 1t proves how firmly the majority of
the Union army are attached to the cause they
are striving TO maintain.


| For two hong years have they struggled for
their cause. Many dreary nights have they
! stood on picket, watching for tho approach of
the enemy; peering into the darkness with the
intensest gaze thinking of the dear ones at
home of all the joys and pleasures of their quiet
security, the bright eyes of the loving wife, the
sweet prattling of innocent babes whose young
hearts know no guile. They have thought of
all these things, of the hardships of the march,
the pressing demands of hunger the burnings of
an unquenched thirst, while toiling under the
broiling southern sun, and still they are willing
to leave their homes after brief soourn Of
few weeks to serve three years longer in the ar
my sacrificing health and perhaps life, for the
love they bear their country.


| In our regiment there are nearly $50 re-en-
| listed. We have already been mustered out and
in again, and now patiently waitina{pr the man
of green backs, to make hiset - -
replenish the soldiers pocketsN b


of their pay and back bounty. Wheh NJ
'green backs" are handed over, we hope to be
handed over to the tender mercies of the trans
portation agent who will set us down some
place in Ohio, hoped to be the good town of
Fremont.


The weather here in this sunny SOUTH" is
about as unsummery as one could 6esire for
nearly two weeks it has been bitter cold. The
citizens inform me that they have never known
| it so cold before.


We have had two or three ''scares" since be-
ing stationed here. Chslmer made demonstra-
tion some time ago, but was driven back. For
est made a successful attempt to cross the Rail
Road with his train and conscripts, which he
had collected in and about jackson, Tennessee,
making that place his head quarters. He car
ried away a considerable quantity of forage his
train consisted of l60 wagons. Why he was
allowed to get away, and tear up some consider
able track is more than l can imagine and is a
source of wonder to all.


There is a cavalry regiment the 9th Ill.,, or
what is left of it, stationed here. They are
fine lot of men, and have seen much service
They formed part Of the expedition which left
Memphis last spring and traversed the whole
State of Mississippi, while General Grant was
operating in front of Vicksburg. They gained
much valuable information, had many narrow
escapes. and finally made the Mississippi River,
at Baton Rogue in time to witness the fall of
Port Hudson. Gen. Ben. Grierson, commando
ing the expedition, was the former Colonel of the
gallant 9th Ill. He is brave and daring Off
Ger and every man of his regiment respects him.





Our camp duties here are not over onerons.-
We are on picket every four days--one compa-
ny on provost guard every week. The men
when they first got settled down, having been
confined TO close quarters as general thing, not
having the opportunity of running far from
camp, soon began to scatter around the neigh
borhood on exploring expeditions. The result.
to them at least was very gratifying. The boys
found any quantity of rabbit paths, and it was
not long before snares were set and nice, tempt
ing bits ofapple laid in them, for the hungry lit
tie nibbler to taste,-but woe to the rabbit that
daredto put his head into the place and seize up
on the prize, he soon felt something around his
neck and himself travelling toward that bourne
from which no rabbit returns.


Tho holidays passed off qnite pleasantly, al
though the weather was rather severe. Tur-
keys found their way out from Memphis, to our
camp. They bring an exorbitant price--an in
ferior fowl bringing as high as $3.50. Our Off
GERS destroyed several.


Major Rawson, and Quarermaster Buckland,
OF General Buekland's staff, with their ladies,
passed New Years day with Colonel Eaton
May such visits be frequently made, for it is
pleasure TO see their genial countenanees, now
and then, amongst as their old eoHPauions.