The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-12-04
From Lieut.. RGsEbGne
CAMP KNIpE, Nov, 20, 1861.

! GuiSlu Ou lnU @FCoih- Vi ESPb' AAC Aott
for the seat of war, under the command
of our worthy Colonel, Joseph F. Knipe
At the State Arsenal we were furnished
with arms and ammunition and lef
Harrisburg about IL o'clock 2. NJ Ar
rived in Baltimore about noon the mex
day and marched about one mile to the
Baltimore and Washington Railroad de-
pot. The streets were crowded with cit
izens cheering, and wishing US GOO
I Speed" A the depot we were ordered
to rest and eat our dinners from the pro
visions we had brought from Camp Cur
/ tin About 2 j H. We started for Wash
lington and arrived 10 the city about 10
O'Clock Were marched from the cars to
/ the Soldiers Retreat, where we found
tables smoking with hot coffee, plenty Of
beef and bread enough to satisfy our
craving appetites. Having eaten our
suppers the next thing most needed was
a place to sleep, and that was provided
for us after short time-tor it takes
time TO find lodgings for $50 men even in
place like Washington when they want
them all to sleep in one house--in 3l8
Pennsylvania Avenue, where we spent
/ the remainder of the night very much TO
our coufort for we we're tired. Next
morning, Sept. 18th, it was quite late be-
fore we eat our breakfast and about noon
our Regiment took up tho line Of march
to Camp Kalaramo about three miles
distant it is on quite an elevated piece
I Of ground and is very pleasantly located.
Pitched our tents that afternoon and
prepared for good nights rest.
After three days spent at this Camp
We were ordered to put two days ratious
in our haversacks, and join Gen. Banks
Division. Started Saturday afternoon
about 5 o'clock, Sept 2lst, and before we
had marched through Georgetown we
were wet through, and the rain made it
quite muddy and hard travelling; it con-
tinued to rain until about 10 o'clock,
when the wind changed and it became
quite cold. II O'clock at night we were
about one mile above Rockville, the coun-
ty seat of Montgomery Co., Md.-on the
fair ground, it was pleasant place. We
laid here for the first time with nothing
but the blue canopy of Heaven over US.
We awoke IN the morning greatly re-
freshed, and after making cup of coffee
and eating our bread and meat, we were
ready for marching again which com
menced about 10 o'clock. The weather
vas cool and we got along quite comfort
ably, only stopping to eat our dinners
until we arrived at our encampment just
at dark We did not pitch our tents but
lay on the ground as We did the night be
fore. The next morning-Monday-the the
Camp ground was laid out by our Colonel
and Lieut.-Colonel, and then we spent
the day in pitching tents and arranging
things for our comfort The encampment
was named CAMP Lewis, in honor of Mai
Lewis, who was killed on our march here
1t was indeed pleasant location on a
beautiful rise of ground with a pleasant
grove on two sides L is slopiug each
way and can easily be kept clear. First
rate water for cooking, washing, &c We
remained in this encampmenJ four weeks
and one day, and drilled in school ot
/ Company and Battalion.
On dress parade, about FIVE o'clock on
the evening Of the 2lst of October We
received orders 70 march immediately
with two days rations in our haversauks
and at 10 O'Clock we were under line O.
march, arriving within one, half mile o.
Edwards Ferry about daylight, and il
commenced raining and continued to rair
through the day and part OF the night
/ We lay in grove with several other Reg
lments Of Gen Banks Division waiting
with all patience for orders to cross tht
river Wednesday evening, Oct. 23d
headed by our gallant Colonel We pro
ceeded to within few yards Of the river
and formed IN line Of battle The cour
age displayed by the Potter County boy.
is worthy of note; they fully appreciated
the cause in which they had enlisted ex
pecting every moment to take the boa
and cross to the Virginia side, there t.
show their courage on the field Of battle
Much to our disappointment we were or
dered back to the grove where we lay OF
our arms. Our tents did not arrive un
til late in the evening. The next day
we removed our quarters about 40 rods
into a field and pitched our tents.
Oct 26, we marched thirteen mile:
down the river, about two miles back
from the river crossing Muddy Run, then
up the run about one, half mile where wc
arrived at dark and lay on the ground al
night. The next morning being Sunday
(there is not much regard for this day il
the army our camp ground was laid out
and was called Camp Selford, 10 honor
Of our Lieut. Colonel. Here we remained
until place was cleared in a tbicket o.