Macomb Weekly Journal

Another Call Made.

            The President has made another call for 200,000 more men, and designates the 15th of next month for the draft to take place.  The quotes of the different counties, townships and cities will be announced in a few days.  Let McDonough county have a clear record by the day fixed.  The men must be had, for this war is going to end soon, and it takes men to do it.

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Spring Election.

            The time for the annual Town Meetings is fast approaching, and it behooves all true Union men to be at work, in order to secure a good result to their side.  It is none to early for primary meetings in each of the townships to bring out candidates to fill the various offices.

By vigorous work, and that only, can we hope to secure a majority of the Board of Supervisors in this county.  It can be done, and we must all do our part to accomplish the desired object; and to do this, we must organize early, meet often, and on the day of the election see that every Union man votes, and then we can have the satisfaction of knowing that we have redeemed our county from copperhead mis-rule and corruption.  Remember the word ‘can’t’ lost us the last election.  Let it not be said that is has done so, or will do so again.  Some think that these Spring elections are, of themselves, unimportant, and are not worth the trouble of attending.  We would say to such, in the language of one of the opposition, ‘These elections are the skirmishes which precede the great battle next Fall.’

We can and we must carry this county at the ensuing election.  Therefore, hold your primary meetings, bring out your candidates, work faithfully, and all will go well.

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–                      It is announced that Gen. Grant, who is now on his way to Nashville will, after arrangeing matters in the West, return to the East and head the Army of the Potomac, which is to be largely reinforced for a grand forward movement upon Richmond.

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ARMY CORRESPONDENCE

From the 78th Regiment.

Camp near Rossville, Ga.,
March 1, 1864.

            I wrote in my last letter that we were under orders to be prepared to march at a moment’s notice.  Soon after I closed the letter, the orders came to march forthwith.  We were soon in marching trim, and about 5 o’clock, P.M. we bid adieu to Turner’s station, and to the neat and cosy cabins we had just finished, and we found ourselves headed toward Ringold, 11 miles distant.  The road was dry and hard, and wound along through a splendid timbered country.  We reached Ringold about 10 P. M. without much fatigue.  The night was still, the large full moon in the east shed its light upon us from a clear and unclouded sky, tendering the scene about us one of peculiar interest and beauty.  We received orders to bivouac for the night, and were marched to some vacant lots in this once beautiful town, where we spread our blankets, and soon forgot our troubles, hopes and anxieties in quiet sleep. – The next morning after the sun was well up, our brigade was marched through what is now called Hooker’s Gap, about a mile to the south of Ringold.  The name of Hooker has been given to the Gap since the desperate battle fought by that General at this place last November, at the time the rebels were driven from Mission Ridge.  The trees, bushes, &c., in and about the Gap, bore the marks of the terrible conflict.  A number of small trees were cut completely down by the shot and shell, and in the bodies of some of the trees left standing could be counted more than fifty bullet holes.  In passing through this Gap we were obliged to wade a creek about knee deep, which was not so very comfortable on a cold frosty morning.  Up to this time, we knew nothing of the disposition to be made of our brigade.  We learned that one or two divisions had marched through the day previous, and we heard rumors that they had had an engagement with the enemy at Tunnel Hill, and had driven them some miles beyond.  But it appears that we had about reached the end of our trip[.]  The various regiments of our brigade were ordered to occupy a series of high ridges which lay just to the south of the Gap.  The 77th [78th] occupied “Taylor’s Ridge,” which was the most southern, and overlooked a beautiful valley which was visible for two or three miles southward.  Here we remained from Wednesday morning until Saturday morning.  It appears that the only object of this move southward was a reconnaisance to feel the strength of the enemy, and to prevent his sending reinforcements to other points, which object was accomplished.  Citizens, deserters and captured prisoners all concurred in the statement that at the time our advance was made, there were eleven trains at Dalton loaded with rebel troops about to start southward.  They were of course detained, and thus some rebel scheme was frustrated.  On Friday, from our position on the Ridge, we could see our troops moving back in large numbers, and we could hear the popping of the guns in the skirmishing which was kept up by the rebels with our rear guard.  At length our troops and wagon trains were all safely through the Gap and now we saw the rebel cavalry approaching very cautiously, and about 4 o’clock in the afternoon we witnessed a very interesting little skirmish on the valley below.  Our regiment was now left in the extreme front, and we began to have excellent prospects of some practice with our rifles.  It was surmised that we might be attacked in the night.  Col. Van Vleck ordered the regiment to throw up as good breastworks as circumstances would permit.  We had neither spade, shovel or pickaxe, and but a few axes, but in less than an hour we had good bullet proof breastworks thrown up the entire length of our regiment, built of logs and stones.  We stacked arms near the breastworks and laid down beside them, and notwithstanding the fair prospect of a battle before morning, nearly every man was soon in profound sleep.  Of course we had our pickets and sentinels at their proper posts.  About two o’clock the sharp crack of two rifles brought nearly every man to his feet.  The signal for alarm is the report of three guns, but here were only two.  It was finally ascertained that the pickets on our outposts discovered two rebels cautiously approaching our lines, and fired upon them, when the butternuts turned their coat tails and run like deer.  Those pickets ought to have been courtmartialed for making such poor shots.

The next morning we left the Ridge and took up a line of march northward, back through Ringold.  This place appears once to have been a very beautiful town, of probably 1500 inhabitants, containing several magnificent residences, as well as a fair [obscured] of commodious and elegant business houses.  But the town has been almost totally destroyed.  The business part of the town was destroyed by fire at the time Hooker took the Gap which now bears his name.  At this time there are probably not over a dozen families in the whole town.  As we passed through on our way back we found a number of regiments camped there, and the boys were busy tearing boards from the deserted houses with which to build themselves new shanties.

We marched on that day (Saturday) to a point about seven miles north of Ringold where we bivouaced in a pleasant piece of woods near a splendid stream of water, and about a rod in width.  It was understood that we were halted at this place in order to intercept any flank movement that might be attempted by the enemy.  All was quiet, however, and the next afternoon we started for our old camp near Rossville, which place we reached about 5 o’clock.

Monday, March 3. – We still remain at the Rossville camp.  The paymaster has found us at last and is now engaged in paying off the regiment for the two months ending December 31.

Wm. McClellan, John Weaver, W. J. Thomas, and Wm. Bates reached our regiment a day or two ago, having been home on a thirty days furlough.  Capt. Black and Capt. Allen of Hancock county have also returned.  The latter was severely wounded in the left hand at the battle of Chicamauga.                                                                                                            J. K. M.

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Camp Butler, March 7, 1864.

            Dear Journal. – Since writing last, we have “changed our base” from Camp Yates to Camp Butler – a change favorable to obtaining supplies.  On Saturday afternoon, about one hundred and fifty recruits, with knapsacks, haversacks, (with one days rations) cups, spoons, knives and forks, and last, though not least, blankets, were ordered to “fall in” and take up line of march for that camp, which place we reached about dusk, not a little leg-weary.  None of us met the fate of Lot’s wife, for instead of looking back on that Soddom with great regret, we were all greatly rejoiced to escape its gray-backs and corporals.  All of the soldiers and recruits in Butler appear to be comfortably quartered in good barracks.  The “grub” is also much better here than at Camp Yates!  In honor to our noble Governor, the name of that camp ought to be changed to Camp lance-corporal.

The barracks in which your humble servant is quartered is under the charge of Sergeant Ross, who is wideawake for the interests and comfort of his men.  The cooking department is superintended by Perdue of Bushnell.  He is a brick.

We left the boys for the 124th at Camp Yates, all well.

Col. Rowett, of the 7th Ills. infantry commands this post.  Lieut. Col. Sidwellof the 108th Ills., has charge of the recruits.  There is a battalion of recruits formed for drill.  Yesterday evening, while the boys were engaged in their sports, throwing old boots, canteens, oyster cans, &c., one fellow unfortunately received a severe gash in the forehead.  The fun commenced to wax warm, threatening serious results, when it was brought to a sudden stop by the interference of the guard.  In passing through the hospitals this morning, I found Richard L. Smith, of McDonough county, a patient sick with typhoid pneumonia, but much better than he had been, and in a fair way to be out in a few days.  He is a recruit for the veteran 57th.  There is a good deal of sickness in camp – mostly measles and mumps.  There was seventeen graves dug yesterday.  This, to some, may look like burying all of the recruits before they have an opportunity to join their regiments, but it must be remembered that some of the dead are kept several days before interment.

The 2nd cavalry recruits were sent home on furlough yesterday.  We are all anxious to be sent forward to our regiments, but do not know when we will be gratified.

Yours for the death of slavery,

HIGH PRIVATE.

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For the Macomb Journal.

Flag Presentation.

            To the Officers and Soldiers of the 8[4]th Regiment Ill. Infantry, Volunteers.

On behalf of many of your friends in McDonough County, whose names are herewith enclosed, I have been deputed to present you with this flag, as a token of our respect and esteem for you as citizens, and of our appreciation of your gallant service as soldiers in the defense of our common country.  While we feel proud, and justly too, of the noble prowess, and gallant deeds of daring performed by the brave sons of Illinois, upon almost every battle-field, we have watched with an especial pride, the noble part performed by the gallant 84th on the bloody fields of Stone River, Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and where so many of our dear friends, and your brave comrades have already sealed their devotion to their country with their lives. – Your fearfully decimated ranks, and your tatters and torn ‘Flag’ most nobly attest that wherever duty called there was always the gallant 84th.

Friends and Soldiers of the 84th. – To your gallant Colonel and very gallant officers and soldiers in his command, all, and alike, your friends in Old McDonough send Greeting:

You will please accept this ‘Flag’ then as a mark of our respect for you, and what more fitting token could we present, for your fidelity and prowess on so many a hard fought battle-field?  We pray you, then, receive this emblem of your country’s nationality – of her courage, purity, and faith.  We are sure you will unite with us in one hearty prayer, that –

“Long may it wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

J. B. CUMMINGS.

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

            Well & Wheat, J E Wyne, W S Peebles, W H Randolph, A V Brooking, D Runkle, W M Ervin, R McNair, G W Smith, D W Hawkins, H R Bartleson, James Chase, Thomas Philpot, A E Hoskinson, S French, Cottrell & Bro.,Patrick O’Mera, William B McMillen, L Socker, D G Tunnecliff, J M Browne, A J Thomas, W P Pearson, J Strader, Andrew Allison, S F Wright, Charles H Wolf, A J McCabe, Thomas Adcock, S P Dewey, J H Cumming, Edward A Floyd, L E Walker, D Wood, Thomas Lillard, R W Smith, W E Withrow, Wm H Graham, T M Hall, I August, Caleb Hathaway, W H – J Mc –, J B Cummings, Frank R Kyle, Joseph Burton, W E Martin, Luther Johnson, N P Tinsley, Jno W Venable, J P Updegraff, J L N Hall, C M Ray, George M Shafer, T J Beard, E L Wells, William L Baily, W W Provine, Wm M Chambers, H Tatman, John Knappenberger, Amos Dixon, James Matthews, F W Minshall, A P Weatherhold, Wm Van Hozen, B I Dunn, Ladies Loyal League, A J Davis, J L Anderson, C Chandler, L Garrett, J E D Hammes, B Randolph, B R Hampton, J M Jordan, Stephen Yocum.

Headquarters, 84th Ill. Vols.
Blue Springs, Tenn.,
March 1, 1864.

            Mr. J. B. Cummings:

Sir: — I received on the 21st ult. By the hands of our Capt. Ervin, a beautiful flag, presented by the citizens of McDonough county: to the 84th Ill. Col., accompanied by your communication on behalf of the kind friends who procured it, and a list of their names.

I have been prevented until now, by our recent reconnaissance towards Tunnel Hill and Dalton, answering your communication.  We followed the old flag through Stone River, Chickamauga and over the rugged sloped of Lookout Mountain, we returned the little of it left, to be kept with the Battle Flags of our comrades mute witnesses of the part taken by the sons of our gallant Illinois, in the war for the preservation of the Union.  Soldiers love to know that they are kindly remembered by their friends at home.  Our new flag will be an additional bond of union between us, and wherever we may be called upon to bear it, although the storm of battle may thicken around its folds, we will remember that anxious hearts are watching us and our flag from our distant homes.  On behalf of my regiment, please return to the donors our thanks and best wishes.

May God bless each and all you with a return of peace, and with peace, the return to the vacant places by the firesides of the farmers, husbands, brothers and sons of Illinois now battling for the right.

Very Respectfully,
Your Ob’t Serv’t.,
L. H. WATERS,
Col. 84th Ill. Vol.

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Union League.

            A meeting of the County League will be held on Monday, the 4th of April, in Macomb.  A punctual attendance is requested.  Township leagues are requested to appoint delegates in [?].

W. E. WITHROW, C. P.

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            Local News. – There is quite a dearth of local news at the present writing.  Nothing of any special interest has transpired, to our knowledge since our last.

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            To Correspondents. – We are under obligations to Ned Foster for another original poem.  We shall publish it next week.  Send those sketches, too.

We received a communication or advertisement, or letter, or something we cannot tell what, from Industry.  There is not a word of explanation about it, and as we do not care to advertise gratuitously, we have laid it aside till we are further advised as to the nature of the document.  L. C. will please take [?].

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            The Weather. – The clerk of the weather has evidently been on a spree for the last week or two.  We have had all sorts of weather since our last press – snow, rain, hail, mud, and freeze following one another in rapid succession and changing places with each other almost every day.

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            Keeps Grocery. – Joe Updegraff wants people to know that he “keeps grocery” on the north side of the square, and so informs them through the columns of our paper.  Updegraff is too well known in this community to need any commendation from us, but cannot refrain from speaking a word for him.  He keeps everything that you could think of calling for in a store of that description, and sells at prices that defy competition.  He has a lot of boots and shoes, which he is selling out at [?].  Call on him if you wish to secure good bargains in that line, and while there take a peep at his groceries.

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            A Want Supplied. – It has long been known that we needed a library in this city.  S. J. Clarke proposes to keep one on very reasonable terms.  To persons who are fond of reading, this will be a good chance to gain information at a very small outlay of capital.  See his advertisement, and then go and subscribe.

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            Another Removal. – C. M. Ray has removed his Boot and Shoe store to the east side of the square, where he has a large roomy store wherein he has plenty of room to spread himself, and if you will take the time to go in there you will see that he has spread himself – in displaying as fine an assortment of boots and shoes, hats and caps as can be found in this State outside of Chicago.

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            Second Ward. – Miss M. L. Woods will re-open school in the second ward school house, in this city, on Monday the 4th prox.  Miss Woods has taught several terms in that school house and gives good satisfaction.  See notice of terms in another column.

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            Circuit Court. – This court sits in this place next week.  There are but very few cases of importance on the docket, and the court will not last many days.

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            N. P. Tinsley, — the pioneed Dry Goods dealer of this city, is still on hands with an extensive stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, and every thing in fact that can be called for in a variety store.  His mill is also in operation and he is prepared to sell, or exchange for wheat, as good an article of flour as can be obtained in this State.

See advertisement in another column.

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            New Books. – The following comprises a partial list of new books received this week at Clarke’s Bookstore: Hannah Thurston, by Bayard Taylor, Daring and Suffering, McClellan’s Report, complete, Broken Columns, Lessons in Life, Fashion and Famine, Soundings from the Atlantic, Around the Block, Rutledge, Peculiar, Langsworth on the Honey Bee, Jenning on the Horse, Youatt on the Horse, Prince of the House of David, Pillar of Fire, Throne of Davide, Gala Days, A. S. Roe’s complete books, and two or three hundred novels of different kinds. – New books received every week.

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            Killikinick. – Smokers who contemplate going to Idaho should stop in at W. J. Lea’s and get a sack of the celebrated Killikinick smoking tobacco.  It will be a great solace to a person crossing the plains.

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            Butter – is a scarce article in this market at present.  So are eggs.

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            → To all those who contemplate going to Idaho, we would advise them before starting to drop in at Clarke’s Bookstore, and buy a ream or two of note paper, Envelopes, Pens, etc.  He has by far, the largest stock of stationery ever brought to this city.  Also Pocket Books and Purses, a new stock just received, just the thing to carry your gold in, or, in lieu thereof, “Greenbacks.”

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            Young Ladies’ School. – The Spring Term of Mrs. Dewey’s School, will commence on Monday, April 4th, in the Universalist Church.  Common English Branches, $4,00.  Higher, $5,00.  Languages, extra.  None admitted unless qualified to read in the Fourth Reader.