American citizen., February 24, 1864, Image 2

The Spring Campaign.
The Spring campaign in the Southwest
opens with moves of a bewildering com
plexity. Wchave the news of no less tlmn
throe grand columns which are cither al
ready under way or on the point of mov
ing. Gen. Sherman's corps, comprising
the corps of Hurlbui and MePnerson,
started from Yieksburg two weeks ago,
moving eastward across the Big Black.—
A powerfnl cavalry column, under General
Bmith, Grant's Chief of Cavalry, has ta
ken its doparture front Corinth and Hollv
Springs. Signs of speedy activity, mili
tary and naval, also show themselves in
the Department of Gen. Banks.
If we suppose, as we ought, that the
movements of these several columns arc
in execution of a well conceived military
combination, there is one course open to
Sherman's column which would seem to be
consistent with the liue of advance it has
taken up. Let us suppose that he works
his way, which would be rather slow, in a
due easterly direction, taking Jackson en
route and opening the Southern Mississip
pi Railroad as he goe3; and let us suppose
that he makes Meridan (one hundred and
forty miles east of Vieksburg) his objec
tive. Let us suppose, again, that while
Sherman is performing this work, Banks
and Farragut move on and take Mobile.
This done, it will be apparent that lie two
important strategic points gainhl by the two
columns are connected by an extremely im
portant railroad■ —the Mobile, and Ohio ;
and that the unitedforce would be in a po
sition to form the nether mill-stone between j
which and the upper, (the army at Chat- \
tanooga) the entire rebel force in the, South- |
west shoxdd be ground to ponder. Mobile. :
moreover, would give us the command ot
the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers, filfc '
nishiug a water base on the Gulf, ami'water |
highways leading up into the heart of the j
Confederacy.
We think, therefore, we can discern j
even in the initiatory operations that have
already been made, the outlines, dim and j
shadowy as yet, of a campaign grand, au
dacious, and different from what any one j
had conceived. Its development must great
ly change the rebel programme, and cause j
immediate movements to meet it.—X.
Times.
ltpnlhol'Slrplirn C. Foster,
Wc have boon furnished the following
for publication, taken from the Philadel
phia A<j<\ Mr. Foster's father, Win. B.
Foster, represented this county in the State
Legislature, several years ago, and was
well known to manv of our old citizens'
"The death of Stephen C. Foster, a
musical composer of more than ordinary
merit, deserves a passing notice at our
hands. Mr. Foster was a native and res
ident of Pittsburgh in this State, and be
longed to one of the most respectable fam
ilies of that city. II is taste for music was
early developed, his first, and one of his
Biost popular songs. " I'ncle Ned,'' hav
ing been composed at the age of eighteen.
This wasabout twenty years ago; and from
that time until within the last two orthrcc
years a Mood of song music has flowed
from his pen that has met with a popular
ity almost unrivalled. His productions
have furnished entertainment and solace
to men and women in all quarters of the
globe, though but few knew or enquired to
whom they were indebted tor the pleasure
they experienced. To mention a few of
his songs most familiar to the popular* car.
will give an idea of Mr. Foster's industry;
and call attention to his merits as a maker
of the ballads which are said to be more
potent than even government itself. Ilis
first were, like "Uncle Ned," written for
the negro minstrels, which were so much
the rage fifteen or twenty years ago.—
Among that class were his "Oh ! Susan -
ah" "Nelly lily," "Nolly was a lady,"
"Massr's in the cold, cold ground." "My
old Kentucky home," "Camptown Races,"
"Oh ! Boys carry me 'long," and most fa
mous of all, his "Old Folks, at home."—
His later compositions were chiefly ballads
of a sentimental order among which were
such as "Gentle Annie," "Molly do you
love me," "Come with thy sweet voice
again." "Little Ella," "Jennie with the
light brown hair," "Farewell my Lillie
dear." "Willie we have missed you." "El
len Bayne," "Maggie by my side," "The
spirit of my song," 'Happy hours at home,"
"Come where my love lies dreaming," "I
see her still in my dreams," "Willie my
brave," &c. As an instance of the popu
larity of his "Old Folks at home," it was
stated by a correspondent at the time of
the Crimean War, that in the English
earnps around Sebastopol, that song, and
"Annie Laurie," were heard in every tent
to the exclusion of almost all others. Any
one will recognize in the list we have giv
en, the airs which are perhaps the most
familiar to his ear, and which he has heard
sung, played and whistled by our people,
in all thevarictyof places and styles which
evince popularity. Mr. Foster died in
New York City, on the 13 ult.,atthe age
of about 38 years. His remains were taken
to Pittsburgh, to be interred in the family
burying ground, near that etty. Stephen
C. foster was a brother of the late Wm.
B. Faster, Jr., so long and well known in
Pennsylvania in connection with her pub
lic improvements, and whowasat the time
of his death the popular Vice President
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
CHATTANOOGA, Feb. 19, 1864.—In
telligence has been received from
East Tennessee, which, if true is of
great importance. Adjutant Gener
al Thomas and others have recently
returnnd from a trip to Cleveland,
and learned from a certain source
that Longstreet's entire force was in
full retreat.
Union men from Lewieville, where
Longstreet's advance was stationed,
report that place abandoned by the
enemy, who had fallen back entirely
across the French Broad River.
If the intelligence is true, it indi
cates an entire change of plan on the
part of the rebel leaders. The retreat
was not the result of a corresponding
advaaoe on our part, but it simply
meant that the rebels are becoming
alarmed at Sherman's progress, and
are preparing to concentrate.
are selling in Mobile at
|lO apiece
i The .iasanlt on Knoxville.
| A correspondent of the Augusta Con
stitutionalist write? an interesting descrip
tion of the gallant charge of the Confed
erate troops upon the enemy's works at
Knoxville. He says :
"To the left of Knoxville, on a high
hill, is a large dirt fort, "mounting six
guns, which commands all approaches
to it, for more than a mile. In its front
and flanks was once a thick field of pines,
which were cut down by the enemy, the
tops falling in all directions, making a mass
of brush and timber almost impassable.—
In addition to this they had wires netted
all around their works, and a diteh from
four to six feet deep, corresponding with
the irregularity of the ground, the ex
treme slope of the parapet w all making an
acute artgle with the fall of the ditch.—
Immediately in their front, for two orthree
hundred yards, all brush and rubbish were
removed, in order that the grape and can
ister might have a clear sweep at the at
tacking column. This fort, Bryan's, Ilum
phey's and a part of Wofford's brigades,
were ordered to assault at daylight on the
morniug of the 29th of November.
" Through the rugged fields of obsta
cles, before day, Bryan's brigade felt its
way, with many a fall and many a bruise,
yet quietly, uncomplainingly, the men fol
j lowed the dark figure of their leader gui
ding us through the gloom, to the lino of
the sharpshooters stationed at the edge of
the clearing. Each man pressed his cap
more firmly down his brow, and, with lips
compressed anil steadfast eye, waited for
the word to move, while Gens. Bryan and
Humphrey glided noiselessly through
their commands carefully examining the
ground before them.
" All was quiet as the grave, suddenly
the stillness was broken by the sharp crack
of a Millie rifle, when'Up boys ! charge 1'
was given by our commanders. The brave
fellows springing up with a shout, on they
pressed to the fort, through a murderous
fire of shot and shell. Owing to a rain
the day before, and frost on the night of
the attack, the earth gavejiway from un
der our gallant men as they climbed upon
he shoulders of each other, en lenvoring
to reach the parapet, and down they would
tumble into the ditch, llaud grenadoaf
ter hand grenade wore thrown upon them,
and yet they still remained climbing and
falling for over an hour, while the air
sparkled with whistling fuses and inces
sant rolls of musketry from the walls.—
Finding all attempts to scale the sides of
the fort impossible, (only one man, Sergt.
Maj. Bai.cy, of the 10th Georgia, reached
to the top ; he, poor fellow, was killed im
mediately;) we slowly withdrew, under a
terrible tire from the cnuuij*.
" It was a sight long to be remembered
tosee Gen. Bryan, at the head of the col
umn, leading and cheering his men, giv
ing his orders in a calm and self-possessed
tone. Indeed, he seemed to bear a charm
ed life. While hundreds around him were
killed and wounded, he was untouched,
and when the assault failed, walked away
crying, 'Rally, boys, rally; we are not
whipped ; we could not climb the fort,
that's all!' The men all stopped at his
command, and pressing forward to shake
hands in grateful delight at his safety.—
One of the Colonels scolded him severely
for exposing himself so recklessly.
" Many sons of our Sunny South red
dened the fields with their hearts blood,
while not a Yankee, 1 could see was slain!
Oh ! it was a sad sight to see those two old
warriors—Gens. Bryan and Humphrey—
who essayed to speak to each other after
the fight, but could not. They turned
their heads and wept —yes, wept bitter
tears to the memory of their gallant dead.
Never did men go so boldly up to death.
The enemy run up a flag of truce, and
acted very humanely to our wounded,
sending all who could be moved, to us.—
The Yankees say it was the charge of the
war, and none but Longstreet's corps would
ever have made it."
llow TO DO IT. —The following appears
in the Louisville papers :
"INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 5,1894.
i Jason Ham, Indiana Mi/itari/ Agent:
I have arranged with Samuel H. Pat
terson, of Jeffersonville, to furnish all vet
eran regiments from this and other States,
trith hot coffee and a lunch at Jefferson
ville. See him and «co-operute. Make
arrangements to notify the regiments as
soon as they arrive at Louisville. Also
notify that free entertainment will then
also begiven at Indianapolis.
O. P. MOKTOjfj
Governor of Indiana."
I®" The new State of West Virginia
has been divided by her Legislature into
townships, like other Free States and un
like the Slave States, which had no civil
division below counties. She has also
adopted a free school system. They say
West Virginia is unconstitutional; but she
don't act like it.
Of General M'Ciellan's re
port, the Cincinati Gazette speaks in
no smooth terms: "It is the whimper
ing plea of a lubberly lout, accusing
others of the nuisances in which he
has been detected. It is no military
report. No such document ever ema
nated from a soldier. Andit'is false
as a military history."
GEN. BUTLER has started free schools,
on the Massachusetts phtn. at Fortress
Monr~> and Torfolk
ST he American Cittern.
THOMAS ROBINSON, ltMUor-
CYRUS E. ANDERSON,
BUTLER PA.
WEI>XI:NI>AY.:FKI». 31. IHfll.
" Liberty and Union. Now and Forever, One
and 'nteparable."—D. Webster.
FOB PRESIDENT IN 1864:
ABRAHAM LIKOLir.
aJ" We find the inquiry in the Citi
zen of the 10th instant:
Wonder if the Herald could not fur
nish its readers with an expose of the
Knights of the Golden Circle. A com
parison between it and the Loyal League
might be interesting.
No the Ihrald could not. We never
have been connected with any secret po
litical organization.
Perhaps the Cithen could give its read
ers a knowledge of the oaths or obliga
tions of an Irishman on his admission in
to the Know Nothing order.— llcrald."
Never having had any knowledge of, or
connection with the secret workings of
the American party, we cannot give the
Herald the information required; nor is
it likely that the editor of the Herald
would consider the Citizen's account en
tirely reliable if we did. But if it is de
sirous to have light on that subject, we can
give the name of an Irishman, in full com
munion with the Democracy, who know-3
all about it, and will, of course, enlighten
his brother Copperhead. And, as we sup
pose the obligation would be the same
with all foreigners, we can give a second
reference to an " llinglishman," also an
official member of the Copperhead per
suasion, who can corroborate our Irish de
ponent.
Can't See It.
The Editor of the llcrahl alleges that
we must be "entirely ignorant of the
rules by which publishers are governed,"or
wc would not have given that paper the
credit of the article which appeared in it
entitled " Radical Union Leagues." And
says that " credits are always given to the
papers or publications in which the arti
cle originally appears."
To this rule we have no objection ; but
its introduction here reminds us very much
of the Clergyman who, on a certain oc
casion, preached a veiy fine funeral ser
mon ; after the service was ended, one of
the congregation inquired of a venerable
Elder, how he liked the discourse; to
which the Elder replied, that the dis
course was very good, but (ashe thought)
rather out of place, as there was nobody
dead.
The first paragraph of the article in
question informs us that " The Boston
Traveler" says, &c. The next paragraph
introduces information from a very dif
ferent source—the St. Louis Republican.
The information taken from the Boston
Traveler don't compose one quarter of the
article in question.
What paper collected and rewrote the
information derived from two sources so
wide apart? Either the Herald or some
other paper. And as we had no desire to
charge the Herald with plagiarism, we
charitably gave it the credit of the arti
cle. A similar article appeared a short
time since, in the National Intelligencer,
but whether the Intelligencer copied from
the Herald or the Herald from the Intel
ligencer, wc leave for the Editor of the
Herald to say. If the latter should be
the case, wc cannot admire the source
from whence that paper gets its copy,
without any knowledge of the book ; and
judging only by its title, wc would even
prefer "Sears' Guide to Knowledge," to
that ancient fossil.
" Jtff-Thc M'Candless Post office has
been re-established, and Enoch L. Yer
num, living about one mile south of
Unionville, has been appointed Post Mas
ter.
" Considerable dissatisfaction exists
among the citizens of the neighborhood
about this appointment. We are told
that those interested in the office, both
Democrats and Republicans, signed a pe
tition for the appointment of John Da
vis, of Unionville, but he being a Demo
crat, the Postmaster in Butler opposed
his appointment and secured that of E.
L. Vernum, in opposition to the wishes of
the people. If this history of the case is
correct, and wc have it from different re
liable 3icn in tlie vicinity, the conduct of
the Postmaster in Butler, and of the Post
office Detriment can only be regarded as
a high handed outrage on the rights of
the people."— Herald.
This Postoffice got its name, we believe,
from the fact that it was opened by the ap
pointment of John M. M'Candless, Esq.,
Postmaster. >lr. lives about
ninety rods south of Mr. M'Candless—
the office, therefore, is only moved that
distanee from where it was first opqped,
while Unionville (where Mr. Davis lives)
is about half a mile north of the original
location of the office.
We know Mr. Vernuui to be a good
Republican, aud a retpontible man. Gen'
Jackson first recognized the correctness
of the maxip that " to the victors belong
the spoils"—it was hailed as a sound one
by ***rj Democratic Administration from
that day to this; and had they the pow
er they would still adhere to thin rule, but.
" When the devil wu elck. the devil • Mint would be,
When the devil wn» well the devil A saint WAJ he
If we are not mistaken, the Democra
cy went so far, while in power, as to dis
continue offices altogether, simply because
they could not find one of the faithful
eompetent to keep them ; such a party are
not in a position to complain if a similar
rule were adopted by their successful op
ponents. But we are inclined to believe
that there were other reasons for the ap
pointment of Mr. Veruum. lie was, as
we have already said, responsible, this,
it seems, was not the case with his oppo
nent. Of Mr. Davis we know nothing
personally; we understand he keeps a
public house in I'nionville. We are in
formed that it was, at least indirectly, ad
mitted that he was an irresponsible man,
—that some of his political friends offered
to assume a share of the responsibilities
of the office—thus making it a partner
ship concern ; this, in itself, would have
linen sufficient to justify the appointment
of Mr. Vernum.
It would have been more convenient to
some had the office been opened at TTnion
ville, but it would have been correspond
ingly inconvenient to others; we have no
doubt that the general public are accom
modated. At any rate, if our friends in
the village wish a postoffieo there, they
must ofrer to the Postoffice Department a
responsible individual, and one of known
loyalty.
But tho Herald cannot let this oppor
tunity pass without giviyg the public a
fresh evidence of its Chronic ill feeling
towards our very worthy Postmaster here.
We think it is too complimentary to him
to give him tho whole credit of securing
the result of which the Herald complains.
He is a happy public officer against which
there can bo no graver charge made.
Tlie Hoi k <»OCH Ilravely on.
As the time for filling up the quota of
our county by volunteering under tho late
act of Congress, which allows such liberal
bounties, draws to a close, it is gratifying
to know that so many of tho Townships
have availed themselves of its liberal pro
visions.
From the best information we have on
the subject we feel safe in saying that the
following districts will have made up their
full quota (some of them had quite an ex
cess). Buffalo, Clinton, Middlesex, Ad
ams, Cranberry, Jefferson, Penn, Forward,
Jackson, boro. Butler, Butler tp., Conno
quenessing, Lancaster, Oakland, Centre.
Franklin, Mudycrk., (.'lay, Brady, Worth,
and Mercer.
There are ntherx that we would fain add
to this list, and hope yet to hear from some
of them. The only reason now urged for
non action is want of time. We would
still urge them to take hold of this mat
ter In earnest—with six good men to lead,
every township in the county, might be
saved from the hardships of a draft.
There is, it is true a difference of opin
ion as to tlie policy of volunteering. We
have not time to examine all the argu
ments pro and con, there is one matter,
however, to which we wish to call the at
tention of all;aw\ that is the comparative
number of men obtained by the process of
the draft and thatof volunteering! In the
borough of Butler for instance, there were
three obtained by the draft last summer,
and it has now put twenty three into the
field. A similar comparison may be made
in other districts. When we consider the
fact that our armies should at once be fill
ed up to overflowing, is it hard to determ
ine which mode is most likely to effect this
patriotic object ? We feel safe in saying
that any township can report to the Pro
vost Marshal on next Monday evening
that they are ready to report their quota
will be allowed time to complete it even
though it should take another day or two
to fill out the necessary papers &c.
Our last appeal therefore to all. is work
while it is called today, forthe night com
eth in which no man can work.
THE ASSIGNMENT OE VETERANS.
—A good deal of difficulty has been en
countered by the several bodies of veter
an troops of this State, in making an as
signment to the credit of any particular
sob-district, with the view of reducing the
liability of such district under the impen
ding draft, and also of obtaining the local
bounty for the veterans.
A gentleman who has recently visited
Washington, for the purpose of ascertain
ing the necessary step lo be taken to se
cure such assignment of veterans who
have reicnlisted in ihe field, to any sub
distrct, informs us that the Adjutant Gen- ]
eral of the army bad instructed Lieuten
ant Colonel Bomford, Provost Marshal of
Pennsylvania, that in cases .where the
muster-in-rolls of veterans re-enlisting in ;
the field were deficient, in not showing |
the particular district to which such men
desire to be assigned, the Provost Marshal
of the State, at Ilarrisburg, had full au
thority to prepare duplicates alignment
rolls, on demand being made by any body j
of veterau troops so situated, through
their ctmmanding officer. The proper
credit will be given through the Adjutant
General's office, on such assignment rolls.
—and no difficulty need be apprehended"
by veterans, as to giving- credit to any ,
Ward, borough or township, provided
prompt steps nre taken by their comman
ding officer, as above indicated.
We publish this for the information of
all interested. We are informed that one
entire company of veterans have already :
been assigned, and receive their bounty,
under this arrangement. As but a few |
days remain before the government boun
ty wsll cease to be paid, we hope all vet
crnn volunteers in our State will be prop
erly credited, before the time is up for :
making credit* under the draft
tOMMISICATIOSg.
For the Cltlf.rn.
MESSRS. EDITORS:—We congratulate
the inhabitants of Hutler county that the
Citizen has located itself 'permanently
among them. As it proposes a weekly
call upon all who extend to it an iuvita
; tion, we have deemed it expedient to ac
i quaint ourselves with its moral and litera
ry character, ere we welcome it as a guest
at our fireside. We have an exceedingly
high appreciation of intelligence, but par
amount to the most exalted intelligence, is
morality; and as intemperance, like an
j overwhelming flood, seems to be engulph
■ ingall classes of society, whirling onward
in its eddying circles the rich and the
poor, the intelligent as well as the ignor
ant, the aged and the young; we have de
termine to close our doors against every
thing which is not right on this quostion.
It is not sufficient that the habit of drink
i ing elicit a censure now. when " ten cents
] a drink" finds no response in au empty
j purse. We must be satisfied that, altho'
I it could be obtained at the lowest figures,
or even without compensation, example as
well as precept, should be turned with all
its force against -this crying vice. These
being our sentiments, we were gratified by
perusing the article " Somebody's .Son,"
in the Citizen of Jan. 20. Mothers read
it, one and all, (if you have not already,)
and then decide. Would you prefer your
sou (upon whom you look with so much
pride) t<» read an article like this, or a glow
ins description of a grand ball at some
body's hotel, where wine, the very same
that your-bibles declare " bitetli like a
serpent and stingeth like an adder," re
ceived its full meed of praise for contrib
uting to the pleasures of the cntertain
| mcnt. And so seared are their consciences
1 that they have unblushingly published
! their crime all abroad. We have abund
[ ant evidence that tho Citizen will wield
| its influence to counteract this growing
evil. Although the Citizen has made
repeated visits at our fireside, not one
; evening has been lo«t in the narration of
i sickening tales. This trait we cannot too
highly appreciate, as juveniles have an
j insatiable desire for this kind of mental
: aliment and devour all indiscriminately that
i falls within their reach. Parents and
1 guardians should carefully exclude all fic
titious reading which has not a moral ten
dency and a" healthful influence on the
heart and intellect. The young who in
nocently desire soinethiag to excite their
bumps of mirthfulness, will find them
: selves amply repaid % perusing the col-
J nniii devoted to " Wit and Wisdom." The
j literary character of the Citizen needs no
eulogy. Its intrinsic merit will carry
conviction to all who are favored with its
! calls. Families who wish for the weekly
! visits of a moral, literary and political
friend in the form of a county paper, send
lat once for the Citizen. We had almost
| forgotten to notice the beautiful type—so
! perfectly legible that we, who have coui-
I menced to suffer from tho diinning effect
of years upon our vision, might almost
j imagitit! we bad renewed our age. We
! would just observe before we close, that
i no advertisement or other reading matter,
I lias been obtruded upon our attention tici/c
in the same paper. Again we say, let cv
j ery lover of morality, intelligence, or high
J toned politics, subscribe at once for tho
! Citizen A MOTHER.
A riny Correspondence.
From IIM-TMII I*a. Volunteers.
CIIATTA Noon A, TK N N EHSEE,
Feb. 10. I*o4.
! .Vrstrx. Rabin ton <fr Andtrnon,
Dear Sirs : —Shortly after my arrival at
I this place. I learned that the 78th Penn
j sylvania Regiment was stationed on the
top of Lookout Mountain, which rises in
the distancelikesome"mightygiantwhose
I frown terrified the magnificence it attract
i ed " I at once determined upon paying
! them a visit for the double purpose of see
| ing "the boys," and obtaining a view of
| the surrounding country, which alone can
j lie obtained from the crest of this magni
; liccnt mountain. Procuring a "pass," in
j company with a friend, I wended my way
1 up the mountain steep, and after a toil
j some march of a couple of hours we reaeli
j ed the summit, which is 2,800 feet above
i the level of the Tennessee Kivcr, which
gently mcandersalong itssides. llercour
j vision was regaled by the poetry of nature
! —all around us could be seen towering
| mountains whose crests seemed to woothe
i clouds—beneath was a lovely valley, and
| gently moving itf»slow length along inser
: pontile windings was the beautiful Tcn
! ucshee River, whose sparkling sprays rc
! fleeted themselves in a silvery light in the
| mid-day sun; further upthe valley was the
I remnant of the City of Chattanooga,which,
I before its partial destruction, contained a
j white population of 5,000, and about 1,-
| 500 negroes, but at the present time, with
! the exception of soldiers, it does not con
-1 tain a white population of over 300, and
i of this four-fifths are women and children.
[ Skirting the borders of the river, and as
| far as the eye could reach was to be seen,
an almost interminable number of Forts,
Rifle-pits. &c., which had been thrown up
by the Union forces, immediately upon
1 their occupying this Giberulter of tlie
Rebels. Ilow the enemy was driven from
this position is a mystery, but it lean ta
ken, and will be hehl by the Yankees."
On making inquiry for the 78th Pa.,
| Regiment, we were informed that they
were encamped about a mile from the sum
mit. Proceeding in the direction indica
ted, we shftrtly arrived ata small and beau
tiful village called "Summerville," where
the southern chivalry" were wont to come
and amid the beauties of Nature spend
the sultry days of a southern summer.—
But alas! how fallen ? where arc they
now ? Echo answers with weeping voice,
"in the Confederate army, endeavoring to
crush the best government ever given to
man by the munificent hand of the Al
mighty." But "they have sown the wind
and are now reaping the whirlwind."—
With many sad thoughts on the inimuta- j
bility of human events, we proceeded to
the camp of the 78th where 1 met the brave j
boys who hail from the "Soap mines.—
They all looked hearty and every iuch a
soldier as they truly arc.
While at the camp of the 78th, I was
first informed of your enterprise in the (
newspaper business, and being presented
with a copy of yourpaper, I can say, with- '
out flattery, that I was well pleased with
the artistis management, and general ap
pearance, but more particularly was I
pleased with the sonud. unflinching and
! unyielding Union Sentiments which it
i contained. Keepon in themanner in which
you have commenced, and success, proud
! success, will crown, your efforts.
1 also saw a Union Herald containing
'an article reflecting on tho integrity and
tried fidelity of some of the officers, and
: the Sutlers of the 78th. Who the author
of that article is, I do not know, much less
do I care, but one thing is certain :
** Hid evidence. if he wt»rc called to law
To swear to some enormity In-
For wniit of prominence ami just r«ili<»f,
Wonld hang an honest man ami cave a thief;
Union likftin him alikn hotli brain nnd upeech,
Fate having placed till Truth above lih reach,"
and I am afraid if he does not ineud his
ways, as a correspondent, he never will
reach it. All who know the officers nnd
Sutlers to whom this reviler refers, need
no contradict ion of his statements, for like
Cscsar's wife, they arS above suspicion.
After spending an agreeable time with
ihose whom I had known in days of vore,
! we moved over the mountain in search of
curiosities. Proceeding about a quarter
of a mile from the camp, intlie rearof the
! Regimental Hospital, we came to"the na-
I turn! bridge, or, ever-flowing fountain."
This bridge is formed of a huge rock,
about 'to feet in length, and wide enough
to suffer a large six horse wagon to pass
over; above, and connected with it is a
never-failing spring of pure water which
flows in a number of streams, and escapes
over the bridge, and falls some 10 or 15
| feet, forming a beautiful shower-bath.—
J Underneath the bridge is n large cavern,
j wl i h has been ] u to practical uses, such
!as forming spring houses, eistrens, ice
housp, &c. This bridge is somothingsim
ilar to the natural bridge, in Virginia, but
of course, not on so large a scale, other
wise it would have obtained a greater no
| toriety than it now has.
Passing from the bridge, we passed the
quarters of Lieut. Col. A. BLAKKLKV, tho
j rays of whose pleasant countenance caus
j ed uie to think of other and better days,
I but
" My creed !-«, ho is safe that does his l»o»t
And Death's a doom nuflici<.'nt for ail the reft,"
j and instead of giving way to gloomy thot's,
I entered into a pleasant con versation with
i the Colonel. He has commanded thogal
lant 78th since the 19th of June, 1803,
and now has entire command of the for
ces on Lookout Mountain, adjacent to
Chattanooga A similar command could
not be given to a better man,or one bolter
qualified to fulfill the arduous duties which
j the responsibilities of the post requires.
! The regiment has been in fen engage
i merits, skirmishes and battles, viz : Lamb's
Ferry; Nccly's Bend; Goodlctsville,
[ Whites Creek; Hoover's Gap; Lagrange;
I Stone River. The above were skirmish*
| and the following were rnt/irr xt ritsiis en
| gngements: Dug (Jap; Chickamaugn and
I Chattanooga. Col. BLAKRI.KY command
ed in the skirmish at Hoover's Gap, and
| at the three last named battles, and the
successful manner in which the regiment
was conducted through those engagements,
let the approval of the commanding Gen
eral, and the future historian answer.—
I Tho result of these engagements you arc
| long since acquainted with, and I will for
bear further cotnuienis. The shades of
evening coming on, Ibid the Colonel, and
the boys of the 78th"Good evening," and
descended to the valley, when after asharp
walk I reached my own Regiment, the
105 th O. V. T., well pie ised with what I
had seen fin Lookout Mountain
On the morning of the Bth irrst.. while
eating a late breakfast, the door of my
tent was opened, and Sheriff John Scott,
Sutler of the 78th,informed me, that thoir
Regiment was going on a scout the next
day, and would goto the'•bottomless lake'
(not bottomless pit.) Having expressed
a wish to visit this place, and being, as
j you know, fond of a little adventure, I
! at once proceeded to Lieut. J. F. Mans
j field, who has command of our company,
j iR) in the temporary absence of the
t!aptain, and solicited a pass, and the pri
vilege of accompanying the 7*th on the
expedition. The pass being granted, and
being duly signed by the different regi-
I mental brigades and division commanders,
|it was given to me with the privileges I
| desired. As soon as I could get some
j rations ready, in company with the Shcr
| iff, I went to lookout again, and imme
! diately proceeded to "tl e suttlcrs," where
j tho rubicund and ever pleasant face of J.
| Plumer Jack greeted us with a cordial
■ welcome. Partaking of a substantial
; meal at "Jack's Hotel," I proceeded to
j the regiment, and saw "the boys." All
I were lively, and joyous as ever, each and
every one giving a friendly shake of the
j hand as cordially as it was returned.—
Night coming on, I partook of a hearty
! supper at Col. Blakeley's, who extended
j to mo the hospitalities of his ever hospita
| ble roof for the night, but as the Colonel
| was engaged in his jrdous duties, I took
1 lodgings and breakfast at the "Scott and
Jack's Hotel." .
The morning of the 9th was cool and
! pleasant, and at 9 a. m., the 78th was
formed in line, and we immediately pro
ceeded on our scout, or reconnoisance.—
During the march the regiment was drilled
!in tho 'skirmish drill." I have seen
some skirmishing, and taking the posi
tion of the ground, and everything into
j consideration, I must say it was Tell done,
j Having arrived at our destination, a halt
was ordered and all proceeded to see the
much talked of lake, the name of which
is Tullulah Lake, situated in Georgia.—
licingunincumbered with accoutrements,
j I proceeded immediately to the Lake,
which was only a few yards from where
we halted. The first thing I saw was the
waters of Rock Creek, which empties in
jto and "forms the Lake. The creek is a
| small but swift mountain stream, some 20
| feet wide, with a shelving rock on the
I southeren side, gently sloping at an angle
; of about 45 degrees; on the northern side
is a perpendicular ledge of rocks some
ten or fifteen feet high. The waters of
the creek enter the Lake by a fall of some
110 feet. Close to, and on either side of
the Lake are stupendous rocks, of curious
formation, about 50 feet high. The lake
is, by close sounding. 70 l'eet deep, and
the citizeu guide who accompanied us,
stated that numerous efforts had been
made to fiud bottom, but as often failed ;
hence the name of "Bottomless Lake."
It is about 50 feet wide, and 100 feet long
its formation resembling a small pond,
the waters of which appear perfectly still
no seeming outlet appearing, from the
stand point at the mouth of the creek,
but below the Lake from another position
can. he seen, undeaneath the dam of rocks, i
the water escaping, nnd again forming;
itself into a creek, which extends for a few
rods, and then precipitates over a yaw
ning precipice one hundred and fifty-eight
feet high. This rouy seem a large figure,
but it is so by actual measurement. To
reach the Lake we had to descend a pair
of steep stairs, of {<2 steps, each over a
foot apart, making the distance about 50
feet, then entering a fisuro in the rocks,
some 20 feet in length, then climbing over
gutting rocks, and crrwsing the stream be
low the Lake, wo arrived at the "Fall*."
The view was grand, almost beyond des
cription—the small stream of water falling,
at so great a distance dissolves itself into
aboautiful spray, resembling flakes of vir
gin snow, <sr (he setting of richest dawn,
upon the roi'ks below. Here, "amid the
wreck of matter and the crash I
saw the ever-smiling (ace of Sheriff Scott,
who was quietly seated on the very verge
of the yawning abyss, quietly enjoying
his noon-day meal. Joining him in his
laudable enterprise, we soon, satisfied the
inner man. While enjoyed in' satisfying
our hunger, and discoursing on'the gran
deur of the scenery around us, we obser
ved, far below us the form of the poet, ar
tist, scholar, gentleman and soldier, Capt.
Charles 1!. Gillespie, industriously enga
ged in taking a sketch of the Lake and
its surroundings. To an imagination as
and a mind as well stocked with the
l™uties of nature as his, tho scenery
around him was a trout raroly to be met
with by either a poet or an artist. He
has kindly promised me a sketch which,
as soon us I receive, 1 will send to you to
grace your sanctum, until I return homo.
Proceeding in search of something new,
I wended my way to the top of the hill,
when I was met bv the Colonel's servant,
who sjiid that he desired to sec me. I im
mediately repaired to his quarters, which
was on a large rock, and here again I met
the Sheriff, en aged in stowing away ra
tions for the Colonel. Not wishing to
sec him labor too hard, I turned in and
assisted him myself. The Colonel's
"culltid pusson" had a very light load to
"take back to camp," we made "a right
smart meal I reckon."
Visiting"liock city" being part of tho
programme, we retraced our steps, and
reached tho "city of rocks" about 4 o'clock.
Here is almost a perfect town, with streets
and alleys, formed of solid rock. This
"tou-n" is two miles from tho 78th camp.
Here wo saw "Lot's wife," the "Elephant,"
"the squatting Toad," and numerous oth
er rocks, whose name I did not learn.—
The rocks are of a peculiar formation, and
seem to be washed into their present shape
j by the action of the water which has re
ceded and left them in their present shape.
Having but a short .time to spare, we
retraced our steps, and arrived at catnp
near Sumnierville, on Lookout Mountain,
about sundown, well pleased with tho
strange sights we had seen.
Lookout Mountain takes its rise in the
north at the point overlooking Chatanoogn
and extending one bun Ire I mile-i, IOSCM
I itself in Coosa river, near Gadsden, in
i Alabama, and its full of iron ore, lime,
coal and saltpetre, the wealth of which
I will eventually bo opened by northern la
bor and northern enterprise.
A few words in regard to company IT,
of the 73th, will not come amiss, as that
company was principally raised in and
about IJutler. There is but one man sick
i in the company, and ho is now getting
I better. His name is .Joseph I*. M'Coy.
j Their strength may be summed up thus :
Effective men for duty, 58 ; absent, 16 ;
on detached service, 0; making a total of
7-J, and with Capt. Ayres, Ist Lieut.
Sam'l J. M Bride, with the company,
and 2d, Lieut. F F. Wiehl, on detaclled
service with brigade ambulance, m ikes an
aggregate of 70. Taking into considera
tion the ardous labors they havo under
gone, their mortality has not been great.
In this company all is harmony, the men
like Captain Ayres, and he likes the men.
lie is a good officer, and may well feel
proud in having command of as good a
company as he has. May success ever
crown the 78th, and may each and all of
them be enabled to return once more to
their far-off and much loved northern
homes.
Important movements are on foot in
this department for an early spring cam
paign, all are eager for a move, and anx
ious to crush with one fell stroke, this un
holy rebellion. As soon as amove is mado,
I will endeavor to keep you posted.
A notice on the bulletin board this mor
ning. at Gen. Thomas' Headquarters, sta
ted that a whole brigade of rebel soldiers,
officers and all, had come into our lines,
and volunteered, thus taking advantage of
the President's Proclamation. To-day 30
rebs. came to our front and gave them
selves up; took the and express
themselves a-s being disgusted with rebel
rule, and well pleased that the old flag
once its ample folds around
them, them from the wor a
than tyranical rule of the bogus Confed
eracy.
While I am writing I am informed 15
more Rebs have come in. About 10,000
have come into our lines in this Depart
mentsincetheChickaniaugabattle. When
we move we will try and bring a few more
over.
We are now under marching orders.and
ere this letter reaches,.you it is more than
probable we will have a brush with the en
emy. The whole 15th Army Corps is now
awaiting the order to move. The 78th is
in this corps, and will move with us-
Look out for stirring times in this Depart
ment.
There arc various rumors as to our des
tination. some think Knoxville, but from
what I can learn we will move onto Dal
ton, in Georgia.
As soon as we arrive at our destination.
I will drop you a line giving you all par
ticulars.
Tha boys of the 78th join me in send
ing their best regards to their friends at
home.
Hoping to see this "cruel war" termin
ated at au early day, I will subscribe my
self, as ever, Your's truly,
WM. H. JOHNSON,
Co. B. 105 th O. V. I.
A PORT HUDSON fetter says that Bragg
has been appointed Assistant Secretary of
War by Jeff. Davis and sent to the Pe-.
partment weat of the Mississippi. He is
reported to 'nave arrived at Alexandria,
La