Originally published in the Perrysburg Journal June 1, 1864, p. 3
Relay House, Md.
May 18, 1864.
"Oh! Were you ne'er a school boy,
And did you never train
And feel a swelling in your heart,
You ne'er shall feel again?"
.
I don't recollect who wrote the above yet I venture to assert that if the author's first military lesson had been a march of 13 miles, on a hot day, carrying a musket and accoutrements, with 20 rounds of ammunition, and a haversack full of rations, a canteen full of water, a knapsack containing a rubber blanket, a wool blanket, overcoat, vest, shirt, pair of drawers, socks, some writing paper and envelopes, a tin plate, cup, pocket inkstand, knife, fork, spoon, a printers rule, and a "fine tooth" comb- I say, if the author of the above lines had performed a good half day's march with the above mentioned fixtures attached, his song would have been from "t'other corner of his mouth, " and he would have written something like the following only more so..
"Oh! Were you e'er a soldier,
And did you ever train,
And feel a soreness in your feet,
You ne'er would feel again?"
.
That's what the matter with the undersigned tonight, as well as with numerous other members of this regiment whom I mention..
Companies A, F, D, and H of the 144th left Ft. McHenry about 7 o'clock this morning; marched to the city-about 3 miles distant- where we took a short rest and then started for this place- about 10 miles south of Baltimore- where we arrived at 1 o'clock P.M.
The impressions I received of the country between here and Baltimore were very warm ones: the road we passed over was an exceedingly sweaty one; and on arriving here I concluded that this was a very tired locality. However, I may hereafter form a very different opinion of this region and its surroundings..
Of the Wood County companies, F (from Perrysburg), and D (from Bowling Green) are in this camp- Captain Hathaway's company (from Pemberville) are at Fort Dix, half a mile south of us. Concerning the remaining companies I can give no positive information-although I believe the Gilead company is at Annapolis..
I have not learned of any serious sickness or accidents in the companies of this regiment from Wood County..
Thursday morning- Several of the boys present a very stiff appearance this morning; although I am reliably informed that it does not result from a desire on their part, to strictly adhere to the rules of military etiquette. Judging from the movements of some of the heavy privates of Company F, I should think they had been foundered about 50 or 60 times within the past 24 hours..
Lieutenant Colonel Miller remains at Fort McHenry as Provost Marshall of the Post. Captain Cook is with us..
If we remain here a few days I will endeavor to give you a brief account of our situation..
H.S. Chapin
