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A KMT OF TI1E CUMBERLAND.O(liachisvillibe olare 11 Mi01WJaN«CoJaD;D.AiAlJcWAPiWSiClGGRJNivehaslaibaWhen Will the War End-Democrnt* in the Army—Fortifications at Nash* ville—Murder of Capt. Clark—Health of the 81st Indiana—The Paymaster About—Miscellaneous Items, Ac. Ac.Corretpondcncc of the New Albany Ledger.In Camp, near Nashville, Dec. 2.When will the war end? is a question heard repeated many times a day in camp, and while all are anxious for an honorable settlement of our difficulties, so that they can return to the peaceful avocations of life, I have never yet heard one who was in favor of compromising in any degree with rebels witlf'Srms in their hands. While their hearts yearn to see the old homes of their childhood, and once more clasp the hands of friends around the old domestic fireside, war, aye, war to the bitter end, is their cry, rather than one star on the glorious old flag of the Union should be dimmed. No, the Union as it was, and the Constitution as it is, is their motto. Yet the everlasting “nigger” question bothers them considerably. While many of them with whom I have conversed did not exactly agree with President Lincoln in his emancipation proclamation, yet after itudying the thing over came to the conclusion that the only way to end the war was to fight them in every possible manner, and all are looking anxiously forward to the first of January, to see what effect it will have on them.On one question 1 must differ slightly with Parson l’rowuluw (and I much admire him) his recent address to the people of Tennes-If 1 read aright he gives as a reason for the recont Democratic triumphs in the North that a majority of the. friends of the Administration have enlisted and gone into the army. Now, as far as my observation extends, and I have knocked around considerably among the troops from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, it has been the re-vorse: its I have found, generally, a largo majority of Democrats in the ranks, and in some instances nearly whole companies, who at home, when voting time comes, vote the straight-out Democratic ticket. As you well know, my predilections have never been with tiie party whose principles you advocate, the army, although politics are sometimes discussed, there is no difference of opinion in regard to a vigorous prosecution of the war.There is but little news circulating around camp at present. Work on the fortifications about Nashville is being prosecuted vigorously, aud they begin to assume quite a formidable look, aud in a short time Nashville will he proof against any attack by the rebels. Foraging parties continue to scour the country in search of provender and food for and beast, but as the country immediately in this vicinity has been pretty well cleaned out, the trains have to take a snore extended range, and consequently quite a force accompanies each team. Yesterday I accompanied a team which went about ten miles before it could secure a load. The country is pretty much deserted and the people are afraid ol' starving, and beg piteously, in some cases, that the troops will leave them a little, as they cannot procure any more for love or money. They are truly in a pitiable condition, but as most of them are Secesli, with fathers or brothers in the rebel army hunting for their “rights,” they get but little sympathy.Lieut. Col. Timberlakc, now in command, is at present confined to his quarters, by an t attack of sickness, but it is hoped by all that ar0 it will be of short duration, and that in a few days his gonial countenance will be seeu once more as usual among us. During his illness Maj. Woodbury assumes command.He is a good officer, and much liked by the men. All the New Albany boys in the regiment are well.A melancholy occurrence took place in the 25th Illinois day before yesterday, resulting in the death of Capt. Ciark of company A. From what I can gather, one of the privates was intoxicated, and (’apt. C. who was acting as .Major of the regiment, which was out on a foraging expedition some fifteen or twenty miles from here, ordered his arrest, but the guard failed in making the arrest, and he hunted up Capt. C. and shot him in the head, killing him instantly. The musket was load- j hi ed with 1 wo halls, both of which took effect, shattering his head horribly. The private who committed the act was immediately arrested, and brought to camp at this place, and scut to Nashville aud placed in close confinement. Tho body of Capt. C. reached here night before last, and was forwarded to rt his friends. He was an able and efficient sj officer, and his death will be a great loss to a the service.The sickness in the 81st continues unabated, and a month or two more, at the rate its members have been stricken down, the regiment will about all be on the sick list.The boys have it now that they will all be paid off to-morrow or next day, but the ■' story has been told them so often that they 1 put but little faith in it, and nothing short of the money in their hands will couvince them.Winter clothing has not yet been drawn, only in part, by the men, but they are looking anxiously forward to the time when they will receive them, as standing guard and doing picket duty is not very agreeable these cold nights, withuut overcoats, aud with threadbare clotbiug on.Business in Nashville is tolerably brisk. The Cumberland river still continues very low, but it now looks liko rain. If it docs not rain pretty soon, it is the general opinion that it will dry up.There is talk of some change in the command of divisions here, but nothing definite has as yet been promulgated.Yours, “Rambler.''opeleu-TlI-'tl
Newspaper Details
New Albany Weekly Ledger
New Albany, Indiana, US
Wed, Dec 10, 1862
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
John Q.
USA 10 Oct 2024
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