The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-10-23
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP LEWIS near DARNEs-
TOWN Md. Oct. IA, 1861

lTOm Caulp hdiOrdud, just as We FnSiV
leaving that place. Whether that con-
munication reached you know not, but.
am of the opinion it did net judging from
the amount of answers the boys get from
their many letters home. The journal OF
Sept 25, is just at haud and was thank
fully received. OF Maj Kilbourne's let
ter | will say nothing at present. Lieut.
Mills arrived one week ago with his re-
cruirs in gopd condition and fine spirits.
Their journey here however was rather
tedious, Cap. was heartily welcomed, |
can assure you, for he is fasorite among
the boys; besides he brought the first
tidings from home that many of US had
received. 9 e.
We were introduced to a soldiers life
in earnest the day we left Kalorama.-
We received orders to march in the
morning But for some cause our tents
were not struck until about FIVE clock,
at that time we began orr march, Soon
after the rain began falling and by the
time we were through Georgetown we
were wet to the skin As yen will per-
ceive walking was anything but easy
through the now slippery clay with our
heavy load, rendered more weighty by
I he rain. But on We ma ched knowing
Euoihiug of our destination. At last Ten.
Enallytown was reached Here we we're
halted for some time, and began to
hope that we might quarter here for the
night as it was now 9 O'Clock But no,
our patience was to be tried still! further
and on we pushed mud aud rain growing
worse In this manner We marched,
those of US strong enough to endure, un-
/ til 2 o'clock when we were turned In to
-au old camp Of the rebels at Rockville.
Here we rolled up in our b .nkets. lay
down upon the wet ground. and covered
! by the trees of a grove, of course slept
soundly We had marched fifteen miles
since five o'clock the evening previous
thus making thirty hours march in
Line hours. Ten miles being days
march for the soldier which by the way
is hard work with his heavy load. The
next day at eleven o'clock we resumed
our march, and here comes the saddcst
Of our experiences, for in this march our
Major was cuuly an6 deliberately muir
dered Your readers have all seen the
account of it therefore [ will not relate
the sad incident. He was a man who
was fast gaining the esteem of the regi
ment. A Captain in the three months
service and promoted fer good behaviour.
Well we arrived in the camp we have oc-
cupled since just at dark and too weary
to pitch our tents. so we again composed
ourselves for sleep under the blue sky,
tonight 1t acns blue. But we now have
nearly forgotten the fatigue of them two
DAYS. We have become acchmated and
used to camp life. aud DO not look
forward to another march thinking it will
be SO bard The boys are in much bet
ter spirits than they were two weeks ago.
Then laugh could scarcely be raised,
Bow the can'p rigs especially at the hour
that | wGite this Two OF our company
have been sent 10 the hospital the rest
are in good health.
Our regimental officers are all welllk-
ed Col Knipe is father to the regl.
ment Takes much pains to keep the
soldiers healthy by enforcing cleanliness.
Lieut.. Col Seliridge is jolly fellow and
Uery well liked BY the whole regiment
Oh Maj. Lewis | have spoken. He is
succeeded by Maj. Mathews. a fine man
Adjutant Boyd is likewise much thought
of and aH the officers are thorough
soldiers. BY the way, there is slight
mistake in Maj. Kubourne's letter con-
cerniug the position of MIR. o. j. Rees.
He holds the situation of Cononoisory
| Sergeant of the regiment instead of being
member of the Band, aud az Sergean t
is one of the non. commissioned Staff, and
acquits himself with ability We are
under marching orders SO also is the en-
/ tire Division under Gen Banks Of
course we know nothing of our destina-
ton. Enough for the present.
| Yours, HOMER G.