Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-10-30
LETTER FROM THE SEAT oP WAR

CAyP PiERPoSr, Va, Oct. %, 1861.
Dear Republican When addres. ed my
last letter 10 you | scarcely expected TO
date another from this CAMP; but contra.
~ TO tho general expectation We are here
yet, although we have no. been here quite
all the time since, aud are not likely to be
very much longer. ...
Tho orders and general arrangements
ever since we have been stationed hsre
have indicated all carly forward move
mcnt. The several brgades Of McCsll's
division, comprising the entire Penna
Reserve, have been habitually forming
line every morning at daybreak, since We
crossed the Potomac, and awaiting orders.
For several mornings. after standing in
ranks an hour or so, sc we're dismissed TO
our quarters with excellent appe,i,es for
breakfast, and the caution to be ready TO
"iall IT," at moments notice; which no
,lce aforesaid, We we're beginning 10 think
had been indefinitely postpohed until
last Saturday morning, when. after having
been ordered the night previous to pre-,
pare ourselves with two days ra,ions. in
bsyer'acks and our blankets and over
coats in knapsacks, We took up our line
Of march from camp and struck out on
the lseesburg turnpike in the direction OF
that place, in which direction we proceed.
ed about fifteen miles, with occasional
balts ofafew minutes.
We arrived at place short distance
beyond Drainsville about 4 O'Clock p. IN.
aali battling prepared our suppers. After
resting at this point for about two hours,
for some reason unknown 10 us, mean
10 the soldiers, az trust our command
ers knew why, We fell back about three
niles and there b:vouaced for the night
in fence ecorners ana under the bushes by
the road side. The night however was
not cold and we all got along very cons
ioraLly. Having taken no blanket with
me | lay beneath chump of chestnut
bushes
"Like a warrior taking his rest, with my mar.
ual cloak around me"
and enjoyed a sound and refreshing sleep.
We saw no armed secessionists during
our march, slthough we encountered
quite sumler unarmed, bu, they were
Principally females the males being eth.
G soldiers in the secession army, fugi-
ives or prisoners. The ladies seemed to
Ieel no hesitation about expressing their
secession sentiments; and one comciy
and spirited looking lassie at Drainsville
'od some OF the boys who opened con.
'ersaon with her that We had gone about
lar in that direction as we would get,
shd in a.shorttime she would see us com.
hg back faster than we went. However
am happy to be able TO record, that our
troops by their orderly and manly con-
'anct, made most favorable impression
On ihe Inhabitants wherever we went;
and many acts Of kindness were perform.
atovards our men by those who took no
pains to conceal their abhorrence of our
cause and the motives which brought us
aImong them. One lady said very en-
pha|ically, 10 Que Of our officers, that she
nad received an entirely ditfersnt impress
son OF the character of our troops, as be-
ns lawless, brutal and barbarous horde
'alch would stop at 90 crimes or enor-
~ ul'les but that If oil our soldiers were
IKE those she saw, it would be no use for
Sef men to .ry to cope with them
wen inci9e nts as this are some of the few
''aeemlng features oi this va of breth,
sn and will do something towards mod
..yhg the hardsbips that are daily suffer,
" oy those who are innocent OF any act
"oring 1t on or continue il. 4
we remained at our bivouac during |
.S'nday, and late on Monday forenoon,
varied on our march back 10 this place