Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-10-30
LETTER FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
CAvr PIERPoNr, Va, Oct. Is, 1861.

Vuo Nhis evening IL 9ccufteu 20 me luht
might succeed in dashing eff few lines
that would at least inform your readers Of
the present location of the Fifth Pennsyl-
vania Reserve Volunteers ("Tho Bloody
Fifth, " as the boys call themselves) the
| fate Of at least some of its soldiers, many
OF them doubtless feel mn interest.
Ny last was dated at Camp Tenally, in
The District of Columbia, where we had
lain for overtwo months, although during
that time several spasmo,lic efforts we're
made TO go somewhere; but they always
ended in our returning to our old camp.
Finally, on the evening Of the 9th of the
present month, the day following the
Pennsylvania election, we were ordered
to strike our tents AID get in line. About
| 7 o'clock, 7. NJ, we were moved off, and
that is the last saw Of Camp lenally, or
perhaps ever may SEQ. No ntimation had
boan received by the men Of the direction
which NC were to go-pe:haps the conlpa-
ny officers knew but think even that is
doubtful, An impression had prevailed
in camp for day or so that when we did
move, it would be up to Darnestown to
join Gen. Ranks and so certain were ma
ny of US Of this that the general cry, as
we wero getting under arms and ready,
was, ''now boys for Darnestown." We
soon discovered, however that we had
mistaken our destination, and that some
other locality was to he he theatre of our
daring achievements. A short march
brought us TO the road branching off to-
wards the Chain Bridge, which crosses the
Potomac at Georgetown, and II is we fol-
lowed, feeling now, that at last our feet
were soon to press the sacred soil of Vir.
ginia, the Mother Of States and States,
men, and the homo Of chivalry. 1t was u
calm, starless night, with q temperature
neither too cool for comfort, nor too warm
for exercise, and after n brisk march Of
about three hours found ourselves halted
/ IN field about four miles from the end of
/ the Chain bridge, IL westerly direction,
and abou. eight from whence we started.
( OF course our baggage, tents, &c, could
not be brought with us at this pace, and
with our blankets and coats, we made our
beds upon tho soft grass and slept sounds
ly unit! daybreak next morning. Having
been ordered to take two days rations in
our haversaclIs, we had plenty TO eat for
next day, and after breakfast we moved
forward and finally halted in beautiful
grove on the right, and Only short dis
tance from where we spent the night, and
made our camp. The baggage arrived du>
ring the afternoon.
We have now one of the p!ettiest spots
for a camp that can be imagined fine
white oak grove entirely free from UNDER
brush, and since we have cleared off all
the leaves and rubbish, looks, if the texts
were out Of the way, like a grand park.
Our tents are pitched on the summit Of n
small ridge, which slopes both ways, and
Ju Obl iikib III FOau PS NAS
cliviiy, affording facilities for both drain.
age and defence that could not have been
bettered if it had been especially construc-
ted for camp. Since we have been here
our duties have been similar to those at
ouI previous encampments, excepting that
we have exchanged digging anil throwing
UP fortitications, for telling trees. Wo
supposed, when We reached here first
that battle would surely take place in a
short time, and that we had been march
ed over the river either 10 engage the en-
emy Or TO support other forces engaged !;
bnt although we have been called nearly
every morning at daybreak, and some~
| times couple OF hours earlier, and mar
| shalled in line, we have never yet seen
either the glimpse or the ghost of seces-
sionist. Notwithstanding the enemy's
rickets are almost in sight of ours and in
some instances have been within haiing
distance. Almost every day something
occurs along the line Of pickets 10 cause a
commotioD in the various camps. Only
yesterday afternoon, while ! was paying a
visit to some of the adjoining brigades, a
battery commenced throwing shells to-
wards the enemys' lines under the inn
preston that force was in the vicinity,
and detachrnent, consisting OF several
companies Of Infantry, one OF Cavalry,
and battery Of Artillery, were thrown
forward to reconneitre the position-with
what result, however, have not been able
10 learn, as they bad not returned when
lett the camp from which the movement
was made This is about the manner in
which the troops here rut in their time.
battle is daily Npprehended, ard vet we
scarcely know where tne enemy is TO come
fron. The present opinion here, is. that
Gen. Beaurcgard Is at Fairfax c. T.. and
Gen. Johnston in the vicinity Of Harper's