Camp Bates Sept 27^th 1862

 

            We had a brigade review at Covington there was about six thousand Soldiers there and one battery of artilerry it all looked verry well for them that stood and looked on but for us that had to do the marching it was not so pleasant

 

We started from camp at ten o clock and went out a mile south of our camp formed the Brigade with the Artilerry in front we were then 5 miles from where the review was to take place at 11 we started and got there at one o clock and rested half an hour and eat our diner which consisted of crackers fried ham and water after dinner we formed in line for inspection then the General rode along in the front of us and took a short look at us as he rode by we then formed in Companys and marched by the left flank around the Commons then we was drawn up in line of batle and the Artilerry gave us a salute then we started for our camp where we arived just at sun down all tired and hungry So we made the coffee suffer in earnest we have the regular coffee three times a day and plenty of it and just as good as ever I got any place we have no cream for it but we have plenty of sugar for it for them that likes and there is but three or that dont take it and I am one of them we have to eat all sea buisket the only fault I have to / them is that they are so hard that I cant chew them so I break them up in my coffee and let them soften so that by taking half an hour I can make out a hearty meal but stil I should a little rather have a loaf of east rising even if it was a little sour we have plenty of good corned beef two meals and good smoked ham once every day then we have plenty of beans vinigar rice potatoes and now we have plenty of apple sauce and will have till frost comes comes for the farmers have all left the country there is hardly a family left in the country there is just men enough here to dig the potatoes and make some cider the country is completely ruined the fences is all broke down and burned up to cook with all the timber cut down so that the rebles would have nothing to hide themselves in the fields is all dug up in rifle pits and intrenches we are camped in as good a peach orchard as ever I saw in my life and if we stay here month it will be ruined you have no idea of the distruction desolation that an army just to see the fine houses laying waste the house that our regiment ocupies as hospital is a large square two story high and as well finished of inside as I ever saw any place then the 96 Ohio Reg uses another just as good then all the Commanders Regiments and Brigades ocupies vacant houses for their head quarters with a file of solders standing / guard in front while they are enjoying themselves over their brandy inside we get rid of considerable of our work now that we had to do that is geting up our wood and water Since our teams got to runing we have six wagons with 6 mules on each wagon so that they haul all the wood and water that the regiment uses which is considerable of a saving of manual labour although we do not have any to much exercise for our health which is a great deal better than one could reasonable expect taking every thing into consideration taking men right from there warm homes and nic nax and put right down to camp fare there is only 11 in the hospital from the Regiment and not one from our Company and what is in the hospital has a good time plenty of room and three Doctors to wait on them and I think they are good and atentive doctors there is six from each Company detailed for picket duty each day they go out from two to three miles and keep watch for the enemy and I dont believe there half as many Rebles here as there is in La Fayette County I consider it all waste of time and money keeping so many Soldiers here for I dont blieve there will ever be any fighting done in these parts the Citizens Cincinnati and vicinity was a goodeal worse scared than hurt for I dont think they ever was in much danger that is my opinion about it however I may be mistaken 

 

Camp Bates Sept 30^th A.D. 1862

            I am just after returning from the the picket we were three miles out from camp there is sixty men detailed each day from our Reg with twenty four days hours rations and we are then divided in to three posts twenty men at each post two men are on guard at a time and they are changed every two hours in the day time and every hour in the night it was the first time that I was out and I like it verry much for we have a good chance to draw apples sweet potatoes and all such things all of which go verry well for a change to be sure there is a little more danger of a fellow getting poped by some of the buternut devels but I dont think there is many of the boys ever think of any such things as rebles all they seem to think of is to get somthing to eat what few folks is left pretend to be very good union men whether are or not is not for us to deside one thing certain no one can travel without a pass from the Commanding officer of this Division I think it takes a letter a good while to get here from Wyota the last one I got from home was wrote on the 11^th I have wrote some three or four home home since I came here I shall after this write once everry week and I want you to do the same if you can tell McConnells folks that Asa is well Since I commenced writing this I heard that the Colonel has received marching orders I dont know whether it is so or not there is a good many troops leaving here everry day I will write soon again and let you know whether we are going or not give my respects to all the friends when you write Direct as usual no more at present                                                                                                                        

James Scott

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