The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-10-16
Stray Leaves from Camp-NO. 13.

FoRr RICHARDSON, Va,
Sept. 80, 1861.
!. NJ. CRAvArH-Dear Sir We have been
under arms for the last twenty four hours, anx
iously awaiting orders to move, but as yet the
much desired notice has not reached us. We
still remain in readiness, and hourly anticipate
the order to juin our courades in the advance
Yesterday morning the sun dawned as beautiful
as usual upon our hi top camp, aud as its first
rays broke from out the sheen of gold in the
east, our colOrs were as usual flung to the breeze
and as the heightened shadow threw itself across
the valley, We looked to zee it overshadOw the
rebel cOlors in the west-but we looked in vain.
The news soon spread through camp that the
rebels were in the retreat, and the ramparts of
the fort we're filed with anxious watchers-spy
glasses were at premium, and when some hours
atterward the stars and stripes were deserted
floating over the rebel Notifications, a cry of e1-
ultatiOn ran through the crowd, mingled with
murmurs of regret that We could not have asss
ted in crowning the rebel works with the Nation
al ensign. During the day, many and vague we're
the surmises that reached as. Now we hear OF
the rebels being in rapid retreat toward their
fOrtresses in the Bull Run ravines with our
forces in close pursuit; again We hear of a de-
termined stand being made and the pursuers at
bay. OF course no little anxiety would be felt in
camp. The rebels undoubtedly commenced the
retreat early Saturday night and have fallen back
on their strongholds at Fairfax and Manassas.
Various are the conjectu'es for their apparent
retreat. Some imagine that they we're in danger
of being cut off BY Banks in fire in the rear
movement. Others that our own lines were
about to close TANKS and gripe the enemy, bu,
We think the most reasonable conclusion is that
suggested in our last, j. e., that their forward
movement and the erection of Notifications were
intended simply for the covering of reconnoiter
ing parties; the slight character Of their works
gives additional credence to this idea. These
reconnosances we're made and the desired infor
nation obtained, hence there was no further ne
cessity for sustaining this force at so great dis
lance from transportation facilities and the centr.
Of supplies.
Our outposts now extend several miles beyond
Aunson's Hill, and no rebels except few mount
ed scouts can be eeen. The village of Fall
Church is being strongly fortified by Gen. Smith
Brigade. A gradual advance may now be ex
pee led, but no hurried forward movement neet
be lookei for Each successive strategic poin
will be fortified and the country will not again b.
thrown into spasms by precipitate retreat upol
Washington. Munsons Hill and its forti6catiop
were first reconnoitered by Major Williams, viii
a detachment of the Michigan I'd. A couple Q
stove pipes mounted on wheels, and wOode
cannon were all the guns that hs6 been in posi-
ton, but there we're evidences of the prssenc
of considerable field artillery New York, a
usual, is endeavoring to claim the honor of tn
occupancy of the works.
All day Sunday, thick colums of smoke coul
be seen rising in the direction Of The retreat, an
when darkness cast her shadows over the scene
the night was rendered brilliant by the light {
many fires that lit up the horizon for miles TO th
right and left. Either the rebels had been carry
ing out the original schemes of scandalism
destroying the property of Union men alon
their lines, or our advancing forces were wreal
ing terrible vengeance upon the aiders and abe
sers Of treason BY destroying their building
stacks Of grain, hay, &c, or which is more prol
able, both OF these causes contributed to fee
the flames
The National fast day was generally observe
in the army Of the Potomac that is, there vi
no fatigue parties or drills, and all except tho:
on outpost duty had day of rest. Our comp
ny. under command of Lieut. Mason, were {
Of such thing as fast day, except so far as Il
practical part is concerned. This picket duty
not the most agreeable imaginable. That portit
lof the lines which We occupied extended throus