Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-09-04
CAMP TENNALLY Sept. 2nd '61

CAMP 1ENNALLY Sept. Znu DI.
FRIEND MURRAY: Nothing of any great i'm
portance has transpired in our midst since your
regular correspondent wrote to you. On Satur-
day 2Ith ult., the Eleventh Reg't was detailed
for PICKET duty. We spent the Sabbath without
doing anything extraordinary in this line of duty
except making a grand charge on a 40 acre
cornfeld which is at this season readily conceded
to be contraband, by the boys. On Tuesday. the
9th ult., Co.'S 4 and X were detailed to assist
in building fortiication now in course Of erec-
ton, short distance northeast of Tennallytown
1t is called Fort M Call. in honor of Brig. Gen.
G.. A. MCall. 1t is built on a gentle eminence
and will command the whole range CT country
for about two miles. Yesterday two forty-two
pounders-rifled cannon-were mounted at the
new fort. On Tuesday evening last our Camp
was thrown into the greatest excitement, in con-
sequence of dispatch being received at head
quarters that the enemy marching down the
Virginia side of the Potomac, towards Alexandria,
with ultimate designs ON Washington. We were
accordingly ordered to be in readiness to march
within two hour, provided with 40 rounds of
cartridge and one days latiOns. Every heart
beat high with the hope of meeting the enemy
and administering that chastisement to him which
he go richly deserves-but man is doomed to dis
appointment. After waiting till 10 O'Clock
without orders to advance, we were ordered to
* rest on our arnls' for further developments.
On Wednesday last about 1OO, 900 of the Ma
tional army passed over the long bridge; this
looks little like warlike movement, and we
expect before many days that you will hear of
the Federal forces doubly restoring lost honor
at the recent disaster at Bulls Run. 1t is esti-
mated that there is a force of over two hundred
thousand men in and a~Out Washington, and it
will, beyond the shadow # doubt, be increased
fifty thousand during the ensuing week. 1t cer-
tainly must be a of great qualification tn
the loyal States t. see what high degree of
military efficiency the National army has attain
ed through the unnlitigated efforts of Gen. Nc
Qellan. The organization of such an extensive
army is a master to which :here is no small
amount of labor attached, and this being accom-
plished in a satisfactory manner in the short space
of two months, is an evidence that the confidence
reposed in him by the Administration has not
been misplaced.
On Thursday Prof. Lowe, the distinguished
Aeronaut, made three balloon ascensions for the
purpose of reconnoitering. During the course Of
his observations he was fired at by the enemy,
but was at such an elevation as to be beyond the
range of their guns. By this means pretty
correct estimate be obtained of tie position OF
the enemy and their number.
The I'd and Sd Article of War, which relates
to, and prohibits the of, profane language by
officers and privates, is now in force here. The
penalty for the first offence of a commissioned
officer is dollar, and that of private Is cts
for every subsequent offence. besides the fine, a
punishment of "a hours confinement is inflicted.
This has salutary effect on soldiers. When the
exhortations and admonitions of the regimental
chaplain almost failed to make the least impres-
SION on them, remedy was resorted to which
relates directly to their purse, and have no