Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-05-22
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG.
HARRISBURG, MAY 20,

II Is true that little else Is thought OF, and
little else to attend to, but the sswire edge" is
worked off, and matters are assuming more
settled shape. There are now in Camp Curtin
from 1900 to 1000 men. Among these are the
companies from Clearfield county-Capt Lo-
raine's Washington Cadets" and Capt. E. A.
Twins craftsmen Rangers" 1 understand
report is in circulation in your town to the Ell
feet that the first named company has been re-
jected. This is mistake. Through the inde-
fatigable efforts of Gen. Patton, our member
of Congress, both the Clearfield Companies
will be assigned place in the next regiment
that is formed. He is also using his influence
to have the company of Capt. Z. G. Mccullough
accepted, but 1 fear it viii not be taken unless
another requisition is made as the fifteen reg
iments are more than full already.
1t is source of qualification to know that
the 'swild-cat" district is SO largely represented
in the volunteer force. Eleven companies, !
am informed. have already been accepted and
are in the service, and l6 additional compan-
les have rendered and are ready to be muster
ed in. Many of these men have undergone
great hardships in order to get here-some OF
them having to walk from 80 to 80 miles to
get scout of the woods,'' literally speaking,
and then on RATS, formed of boards. decended
the Susquehanna to s'Rattlesnake," on the
Sunbury & Erie Railroad, where they took
the cars for Harrisburg.
The Clearfield ssboys as far as l can see and
learn, with perhaps an exception or two are in
good spirits and health, and enjoy camp life
we'll. 1t appears to me, however, that the
volunteers could generally be made more
comfortable in their quarters, and should be
supplied with better blankets than those fur
nished them. Maj. Gen. Mccall, to whom the
whole matter has been entrusted under the
Fifteen Regiment Bill, is making preparations
for the establishment of camps, and as soon as
they are completed, accepted companies will
receive marching orders, and doubtless better
care will then be taken of those who enter the
service under the new law.
BY the appoItionment of the Is regiments,
two companies are to be taken from Clearfield.
Elk and Forest counties, two from Clarion and
Jefferson, one from Venango, and two from
Warren. This is understood to embrace those
already accepted or in camp, from the conn-
ties named. Each company is to consist of
II -pen. All the companies must forward
| their applications within five days, unless al
ready accepted. The State is to pay no e1-
| penses until marching orders are received by
| the companies. No election of regimental
officers will be permitted until further orders.
| The companies are distributed according to
| the number of troops already in the field from
each county, and also in proportion to the pop
ulation, except discrimination against the ru-
/ raj districts, in order that sufficient producer.
shall be left at home for harvest purposes.
| The Government is doubtless making prepa.
rations for vigorous and protracted campaign
| The disposition of forces would seem to indi.
cate that a line is being formed, extending
from Fortress Monroe in Virginia, to ST. Louis
Missouri, and thence through Arkansas into
Texas. Thus hemmed in from the land side
/ with their ports closely blockaded, the Rebel
States will in short time have starvation and
distress prevailing throughout their borders
and sooner or later will have to succumb. In
the meantime they are concentrating their
| forces in Virginia, where it is believed they
now have from 40 900 to so 900 men. What the
| plans and objects of the rebel leaders are, is a
matter Of conjecture. Some suppose an in.
road into Pennsylvania and an attack or
| Washington city are to be simultane ously
made. think differently. If mistake not
the rebels will soon have enough to do in the
way of defending themselves, without engag.
ing in such hazardous undertaking as that
mentioned.
1t is now generally believed in military cir.
cles that Gen. Beauregard has died from
wounds received at the bombardment of Fort
Sumter. 1t is almost reduced to a certainty
also that over 200 of the Secessionists in Fort
Moultre were killed at that time by Maj. An
derson's guns. 1t at least seems strange that
Wigfall, as has been repeatedly stated, should
60 to Sumter, in the midst of the fight, and
plead ssfor Gods sake, cant this be stopped -
| il nobody in Moultrie had been hurt.
The statement that John C. Breckenridge
will accept position under Maj. Anderson, is
| contradicted. 1t is also stated that he is no
Unionist. Time will tell the story.
| 1t is rpmored that Thomas l.. Kane, a
to be Colonel Of one OF the Regiments-per-
haps the "wild cat.'' He is talented and
clever gentleman, and his appointment would
be GOOD one in all respects. Yours, r.
| --
PREACHING VS.. PRACTICE.
The sClearfeld Repubk The sCleartield Republi-
can Of Nay 18th, says cam of May 18TH, says :
"As for ourselves,we 'sReader, did you ev-