Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-09-06

The following letter was written by o. H. Cath
er, Esq, to a gentleman in this place, who has
kindly consented to It's publication:
CAMP UNION, near Great Fall (about
Is miles above Washington on the !
Potomac, August Is, 1861.
DEAR SIR Yours of the llth inst, is before
me--In return for yonr kindness in answering my
last so promptly. | win try and give you another
from which y lou may learn something of the posi-
tion Of Regi' .eht at least, if cannot nform
you correctly of the movements of our army.
Last Tuesday morning each company of the
Regiment struck seven or eight of their tents,
packed their knapsacks, with what would be re-
qGred during weeks absence, filed their haver-
sacks with one days provisions, and about nine o.
clock marched from Camp Tennally (leaving the
remainder of their baggage, tents, &c, nnder
+ charge of Lieutenant and guard of about sixty
men) towards the Great Falls, passing ia review
before Gen Mccall, near his head quarters in Ten
allytown. The distance is about IA miles, and the
march was rather quicker than any since our or
ganizaon the rain falling almost all day and pro-
tecting the men from the intense heat suffered
former marches. Four or five streams from
TO two and half feet deep-when we reached the
first the men looked about fo- some means Of Cross
ing but when Capt! Cumming exclaimed s'hes
poor soldier that fears water" and ting the
tion TO the word waded through, he was, OF course,
followed by the whole Regiment.
Our men were soon encamped after arriving here,
ana the sun coming out anu tue hfeS Delng KludleQ
they soon became comfortable. small stream of
pure water runs through the centre of the Camp,
separating the tents of the private soldiers from
those of the officers aud furnishes bountiful sup
ply of the great necessary of life-Ehere not being
a sufficient number of tents-arge and comfortable
ones were soon formed out OF bushes and branches
of trees, &c. and in a little while where the voice
of the PENNSYLVANIA soldier perhaps never
heard our national airs were shorased by the hardy
sons Of our noble state These times in which the
hearts OF all are eheered when after performing all
that can be required of men, they gather around
the camp FIRE at night, and in rongh, uncutivated,
but feeling manner pour forth those words so
dear to us all.
ssThen conquer we must, for our cause il is just,
Ard this he cur motto in Con is our trust,
And the star spanged banner in triumph shall wave
Ger The land of the free and the home of the brave
1t is in such times, when business home friends,
father mother sisters, brothers. are ALL not forgot
ten bHt cheerfnlly left, that the country, in this
the dark hour Of its history, may be defended, and
when We are encouraged, by the cOnsoling trust,
that God will be with the right.
On We Inesday our duties, picket guard, be-
gan. Instead of forming one regimental or police
guard (the guard usually stationed round the camp
by detailing cert tIn nrmler from each com panys
Que entire company took charge of tho camp, and
three others were marched out on picket duty
this is one of the most important duties ne are
called upon to perform, the safety Of the whole
camp, perhaps depending upon the fidelity,
courage and vigilance Of a single soldier. The men
are stationed about in small squads of from three
ten as the exigencies Of the may require,
under the command of Sergeant or Corporal, and
so posted THAI Intelligence can be rapidly transmit
ted tbroueb tbe lines OF pcSets, each sentinel car
rs ing rt. aesp3te quickly - tshtat - and
htndlug IL 70 toe next, and thus in short time
oanyag ing nda7s from Gen. Banks near iiarpsrS
Ferry 70 Gen Mcclellan at Washingtau---of course
OF the guards az least must be az each station,
so thai tne cti1in Inty be uubroksn--besides this
chain Of picket guards, there are couriers posted
several miles apart, who on heet horses more rap
idly transmit the more important news.
ORr Ens sf pieSets was stationed and 10 nov