Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-10-14
irrrrn rnom rnr sBAr or WAR

have been ilran'
pcr 10 your columns ior such long Pc
t.od that ! feel under some reslmint ~
addressing you Indeed, | have forgot
ten both the date and substance OF my
last letter But will not annoy YOU WIN
opoloric, or explanations Of my long si'
lencc. Simply, didn't write.
Since we left Western Virginia our eS-
perience has boon Of a ycrp peaceful CHAR
ao,or. After few days spent at uarrls'
hurg. we we're ordered on to this place
Our companion in the recent campaign,
the Rife regiment, was sent to liarperS
Ferry. about the same time, where they
remained, Tor rather at Jamestown some
distance below the Ferry until last week.
when they came down and camped along
with the balance of the Pennsylvania re-
serve in the vicinity of rcnally town, !
have not seen any of Capt. Irvine men
since they arrived but several OF our men
ILoye been 10 their camp, some two miles
distant, and report thom in good health
and spirits.
We are encamped on some heights a.
bout six miles north west of Washington
where we have most EXTENSIVE view OF
the sur,ounding country, extending Tor
many miles across Maryland towards the
Chesapeake, down aud across 'he Potom-
nc. Washington City is not seen, although
living almost at our feet, on account OF
several gloyes of oak timber Intervening
but the Capitol can be seen from one s'us
Of our camp. Just past the edge OF the
woodland, and beautiful sight 1t presents
at that distance, (about seven miles, LOOK :
ling like magnificent palace of yaTisned
silver, such as we read about IN iairy
Itales A close view only shows an I'M
mense pile of dull white marble, much
weather.stsined and streakcd with the
rain. its unfinished condition Goes not
prevent running down the outer walls
Truly our national capitol is no exception
to the rule that distance lends enchani-
ment TO the view"
The scene as witnessed here no W Is
most striking one. The whole country
appears like one g"and military camp, or
an immense city Of little white cottages
which in the distance look like mere
specks. There are now in the neighoor-
hood of two hundred thousand men in
and sround Washington, across the Poto-
mac and up q. far as Great Falls. On the
opposite side Of the river now extending
to Munson's Hill, which was captured Il
lew days since. 1t was taken without
any loss, and when entered it was found
TO be n slight embanIiment dclo nded by
wooden cannon, and two pieces Of stove
pipe mounted on wheels. One of the
features of the neighbothood is Professor
loves balloon, which makes frequently
several ascensions daily, and can be seen
very plainly for several miles around
, His ascensions are made from U hill, the
name of which has escaped me, situated
on the advance route toward Fairfax
about three miles beyond the western END
of the long bridge which crosses the Po'
tomac at Washington.
Our boys are all spelling for fight, ev
cry time, ard it occurs often, that we ar'
put under arms and marched in the di
rection of the enemy, and marched bach
a9teG going a greater or less distance, the
greatest disappointment is expressed tina
! they have been again batiled in the hope
OF trying their mettle.
h can say nothing of our own company
more than that they are getting along
o very vel, although someof them havebeeT
q quite sick. There is however but one in
t the hospital and only three in quarters
- This is very favorable sanitary condition
g of the company, and a much better on,
:. than some OtEer companies in the regi
Is ment present, al though it is one OF the
!. healthiest in Camp Tenally. ! still see
II occasionally, some Of our citizens who Wis
it the regiment, and it affords me 4 grea
5 deal of pleasure; Sergeant Ogden return
r. ed a short time ago from accompanying
It home the remains Of Gu: lamented com
j. rade, Robert Livingston, whose loss
much deplored in the company. lie wa
10 an excellent young man, and gave promis
N Of being a brave soldier. Alas there ar
rs many OF US must never expect to retur
l. home except as he did, poor boy
to But my letter is spinning out mucl
l. longer than had intended it, and mus
st bring it to close, especially es other du
m tie~ interfere with its further prosecution
ST now. There are many things if I had tn
TX leisure TO notice them which might te {
v" interest to your readers; but must posi-
H. pone them for the present. If / can i'm