Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-08-07
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE JOURNAL .


CAMP CURTIN, Aug. 5, 1861.
FRIEND Row No doubt you thought had
neglected my promise, to write weekly. Want
of time is my excuse. On the morning OF
the 9th, whilst eating breakfast at Western
port orders came to draw one days rations,
pack thiSgs, and by noon to be ready to march
for Harper's Ferry. Soon all was hustle, and
each man began to pack his knapsack and
fill his Layersaek. At noon we crossed to
Piedmont ON the Virginia side, and with the
other companies Of the 9TH, soon s.piled in''
the cars Before starring we gave three cheers
for the Union and the ladies of Piedmont (;
and the whole regiment joined in six cheers
for our flag and the ladies of Clearfield; and
L can assure you that our flag will never be ta-
ken by the enemy without fight for it. We
rode in open cars, which are greatly preferred
by the soldiers. On reaching New Greek, we
found that Col. Biddlc's regiment had started
a short time previous, and that his camp was
occupied by regiment of Ohio boys and a
Battery of Regular horse Artillery. Here [
saw the irst furnace for heating shot, and
other things peculiar TO the artillery service,
with which am not acquainted
After short stop, we started and crossed
New Creek, then the ssBurnt bridge,'' now
rebuilt, and towards evening arrived at Cum
6erland; where, after some delay, were
marched to the commons, stacked arms, cooked
supper, and took quarters for the night. The
valley from the 'sBurnf BRIDGE to Cumber-
land is beautiful, soil good, crops heavy, and
fields large. One cornfeld contains about 100
acres. The work is principally done by ne
groes, presume slaves, who look fine and
hearty and display large amount of ivory,
which they seem to show with delight. As
the train passed aloTg we cheered (and | can
assure You we a rather noisy set) and were
greeted by the waving of handkercbiefs and
and hats, on both the Maryland and Virginia
side Of the river. found Cumberland town
! about the size of Harrisburg, the principle
streets paved with cobble stones and quite
city-ilke in appearance.
At daybreak all were astir; and not having
| room in our baggage wagon for the knapsacks
we had to carry them. The morning was sultry
and after marching some 2miles it commenced
to rain but did not cool the air much. " did
not stop until we reached sMaSon and Dixon, -
our old camp, where we refreshed ourselves
with a drink out of the cool spring. Here we
remained for the day having travelled about
miles, and glad were we, for it soon raned
hard. The next day we marched IS miles,
stopping for the night miles south Of Bedford.
On the morning OF the third day at . o.
clock, ne started for Bedford Springs. On
arriving at the Springs, we were marched a
round the large circular walk, faced n,ground
arms, and broke ranks for half an hour. On
leaving, we saw standing at the gate vener-
able looking man, who, we were told, OcCup-
ed the White House previous to the advent Of
ssUncle Abe We passed through Bedford
with music, and coiors flying; the fair ones
greeting us on all sides. Half mile north of
Bloody Run we stopped three hours to eat our
dinners, at one of the largest springs | ever
saw, and the best water | ever drank. The
stream is large enough to supply a good sized
town. We left this spring at O'Clock, and
travelled within miles of HopeweI, having
made march of 90 miles. Here we found
Mr.. M'Pherson and J. McGaughey. The fol-
lowing morning we soon made the miles TO
Hopewell where we took the cars for this
place.
At Huntington we stopped half an hour to
be "fed ~ and am satisfied that could not
do the ladies justice for their kindness, if |
were to write week, and exhaust Webster's
unabridged; in fact, do not know which.to
praise most, their beauty or their benevolence.
This much will say, however, that we were
"ied" abundantly; and 1 can assure you,
that the capacity of hungry regiment is not
small.
Since our arrival at Camp Curtin, we have
been busy. Yesterday we received our pay
from the State. We are looking hourly for
marching orders, whittier we don't know.
The men of our company are generally WE'LL
and feel good over their pay-aDd expect
more soon. Sheriff Reed visited us to-day
1t is very warm here, and the ssboys'' are
wishing for the mountains of Virginia. Ac-
cept my thanks for several copies of the
s:Journal.'' Yonrs, NJ.
[Onr friend ssM" will please accept our
thanks for this letter. Hope to hear from you
soon again. Please write, so that your letter
will reach one day earlier.l