Return From Veteran Furlough
The Seventy-Sixth RegimentCorrespondence of the Newark True American
NASHVILLE, March 20, 1864
Messers Wilson & Gray: - Having to remain in Nashville for a few days awaiting transportation, I have concluded to inform you of our progress towards the front since the departure of the Regiment from the goodly city of Newark. The very cordial and enthusiastic reception of the old 76th in Newark by its thousands of friends when it returned from the field after two years absence, will ever be cherished in our memories as one of the happiest periods in our past lives, and the affectionate farewells coupled with heartfelt good wishes for our welfare and the success of our arms, will be long remembered, and assures us of the righteousness of our glorious cause. We go back to the tented field with higher hopes of speedy success than we have ever had before, because we know that the people at home are holding up our hands, and that our cause is just. We have found that the masses at home are right - are loyal - are true to their country, and will sustain us who are fighting our country's battles. It has cheered us to grasp the hands of good loyal men and women at home, and it will nerve us with a more determined courage to meet the enemies of the country in the field, and we trust the time is near when they will be - conquered - compelled to lay down their arms and beg for peace and a return to the protection of the good old flag of the Union; and we will return expecting a more joyous reception than before. So mote it be.
On the arrival of the 76th at Columbus from Newark, it proceeded to Camp Chase and remained there in barracks until Tuesday, the 15th instant, when it embarked on the cars for Cincinnati, arriving there about 9 o'clock, P. M. the same day, and took quarters in the Sixth Street Barracks. It remained there until the evening of the 16th instant, then embarked on the Anglo Saxon, and at 2 o'clock next day arrived at Louisville, Kentucky. Here the regiment quartered in the Soldier's Home, near the Nashville Depot, and in very comfortable quarters - much better than in Cincinnati, as the men were not so crowded. We left Louisville the following day at 3 1/2 o'clock, and arrived in Nashville the next morning at daylight, and found the weather as cold here as when we left Newark. The regiment is now quartered in a large brick building formerly occupied as a Female Seminary. The men are in good health and fit for campaigning.
The officers are stopping at the Suwanee House at the moderate expense ("over the left") of $3.00 per day for boarding, and the living nothing to brag of, nt the least danger of getting the gout from high living. It will have a serious effect on our pocket books, however, if we have to remain here long. We will probably get started by Wednesday, the 23rd instant. There are about 7,000 to 8,000 troops here now awaiting transportation to the front. These is some probability of our having to march through from here to Huntsville to guard a train of wagons and artillery horses, but we have had no order to that effect as yet. We are not particularly anxious for the contract - would start with our chance for a very small consideration. We have had a fine opportunity during our stay here to see the Statehouse, Polk's residence and tomb and to take a good look at the city. The view from the State House is a magnificent one. The city is built on quite hilly ground and the State House is on the highest one of these hills. It is a splendid situation and is only excelled among the edifices of the kind in the United States by our own Ohio Statehouse. Ex-Presdent Polk's residence is on the same street, but a short distance from the State House. A splendid monument erected to his memory stands in the lawn of the house. The architecture of the building is not such as would attract much attention though it displays some taste. If we had been on a pleasure trip down here in Dixie, we would have visited Mammoth Cave, and the Hermitage which is about ten miles from here, but Uncle Sam has sent us on other business.
Several promotions were made in the regiment while at Camp Chase, and many of the officers were assigned to companies to which they did not heretofore belong, to fill vacancies. Companies are now offered as follows, viz:
Co. A, Beverly W. Lemert, Captain; Z. Parker Evans,
1st Lieutenant.
Co. B, Jehiel T. Wintrode, Captain; F. Brackett,
1st Lieutenant.
Co. C, Charles D. Miller, Captain; Miles Arnold,
1st Lieutenant.
Co. D, Reason C. Strong, Captain; Carey Marriott,
1st Lieutenant.
Co. E, Jospeh C. Wherle, Captain
Co. F, Freeman Morrison, Captain; John Hizer,
1st Lieutenant.
Co. G, James Stewart, Captain; Jairus G. Evans,
1st Lieutenant.
Co. H, Richard W. Burt, Captain, Geo. W. Jeremy,
1st Lieutenant.
Co. I, James M. Blackburn, Captain; William H. Darlington,
1st Lieutenant.
Co. K, James M. Jay, Captain; David R. Kelley,
1st Lieutenant.
Captain Edward Briggs has been promoted to Major, and Lieutenant Jacob A. Jury has been appointed Adjutant, and Lieutenant John J. Metzgar Regimental Quartermaster, both with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. I have filled my sheet and will close.
R.W. BURT
From: The Newark Advocate, Friday, April 8, 1864. Newark, Ohio
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