Captain Pic Russell had an acquisition to his company a few evenings since--in fact, a Secession emblem: a snake seven feet long--a regular "black sarpent"--quietly coiled himself in the Captain's blanket. He was, as soon as discovered, put to death. This region, of country abounds in serpents, the rattlesnake being a prolific article. I must close, as the mail is about to start. Yours, Alf. CHAPTER VIII. Fun in the 123d Ohio -- A Thrilling Incident of the War -- General Kelley -- Vote under Strange Circumstances -- Die, but never Surrender. FUN IN THE 123d OHIO. One of the boys furnished me with a copy of his experiences of camp, entitled "_Ye Chronicles of ye One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment._" 1st. Man that is born of woman, and enlisteth as a soldier in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio, is few of days and short of rations. 2d. He cometh forth at reveille, is present also at retreat, yea, even at tattoo, and retireth, apparently, at taps. 3d. He draweth his rations from the commissary, and devoureth the same. He striketh his teeth against much hard tack, and is satisfied. He filleth his canteen with apple-jack, and clappeth the mouth thereof upon the bung of a whisky-barrel, and after a little while goeth away, rejoicing in his strategy. 4th. Much soldiering has made him sharp; yea, even the seat of his breeches is in danger of being cut through. 5th. He covenanteth with the credulous farmer for many turkeys and chickens; also, at the same time, for much milk and honey, to be paid for promptly at the end of each ten days; and lo! his regiment moveth on the ninth day to another post. 6th. His tent is filled with potatoes, cabbage, turnips, krout, and other delicate morsels of a delicious taste, which abound not in the Commissary Department. 7th. And many other things not in the "returns," and which never will return; yet, of a truth, it must be said of the soldier of the One Hundred and Twenty-third, that he taketh nothing that he can not reach. 8th. He fireth his Austrian rifle at midnight, and the whole camp is aroused and formed in line of battle, when lo! his mess come bearing in a nice porker, which he solemnly declareth so resembled a Secesh that he was compelled to pull trigger. 9th. He giveth the provost-marshal much trouble, often capturing his guard, and possesseth himself of the city. 10th. At such times "lager" and pretzels flow like milk and honey from his generous hand. He giveth without stint to his own comrades; yea, and withholdeth not from the One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, or from the lean, lank, expectant Hoosier of the Eighty-seventh Indiana.