The Oxford intelligencer., 1861-04-17
From oir own eorrsspopaent.
In CAMP sRAR WARRTSGrox, Fla,
April 6th. 1861. I

ing for the land route to Pensacola.
Tuesday night was spent in packing every
thing not absolutely necessary for our journey,
and early the next morning. with bur dinner in
our haver-sacks and our canteen filled with wa
err we went on board the steamer Keys TO be
conveyed across the bay. - y q K
We were landed few miles up the Tensaw
river at Halls Landing, and here we pitched
our tents to wait for The rest of the Regm emit.
1t was beautiful place-the air was fragrant
with the sweet flowers that grew on every xide,
while the native magnolia was almost as large
as sapy treesin the forest Thrrday we,wgre
delayed until noon Cor want Of wagons to con-
vey the baggage; and when we started we only
travelled four miles, just giving us an idea Of
how we were to march, and what duties were
expected of us on the route. We encampcd on
a rolling piece of ground, near little spring
creek, that furnished us with very good water.
Our entire Regiment was now together-each
company had had its position assigned II on
starting out on our march, and we now encamp.
ed in the same manner. Capt. Chalmers CON-
mand was on the right-the rest came in the
following order: Capt Bowdry, Fitzpatrick, De-
lay Benton, White Foster, Crockett, MCGOWAN,
Harris. The ground is laid off in regular streets,
each one hundred feet wide-on either side of
which the tents are arranged facing inwards,
and directly opposite each other The street is
three hundred feet long, and is terminated by
the Captains tent which is placed Immediately
in the centre and is called the markcc
We were on a rising piece of ground, and it
was an imposing sight to see the tents arranged
on all Sides and the fires burning in front of
each.
We were ordered to prepare our dinners for
the morfow and be ready for starting by sig
O'clock. "A p
Friday the advance guard started at the ap-
pointed time, but the wagons were not ready for
some time afterwards An were off, however,
before seven o'clock. It was a beautiful day,
and we had pleasant time, stopping to rest
every few miles, and not getting much in ad-
vance of the wagons. The country was not so
good as ct the river where we started-there
was little to be seen but pine, and over the
twelve miles We passed. we saw but one house
We cncamped near fine spring with the best
water we had seen since leaving home.
We had just stopped when Gen, Mott came
riding up with his aid, Capt Govan, bringing us
a dispatch stating that a vessel had been fired
into at Charleston, and that Fort Sumter was to
be reinforced. It created great deal of excite
ment, and also of uneasiness on account Of those
who had gone around by sea with the extra bag
gage. Many were in favor of going on immcdi-
ately; but the General said we had made very
good march to start on-and he also wanted
some of our wagons to bring on the baggage Of
the Southern Regiment, which was waiting at
the landing for want of transportation, and none
could be had unless he could get some of ours,
so that we must 60 to work condensing our
baggage.
We had been making such drain on the
Commissary's stores that several were obtained
from that department, and other things were so
packed as to give him the number he wanted
The advance guard was ordered to prepare break
fast and dinner, and be ready to start at four in
the morning, while the entire company would
move at five.
Saturday, the camp was all astir before day,
and was not behind time in getting off We
were on the rear guard, and had just started the
last wagon when it commenced raining in per-
feet torrcnts--wc Immediately took to the trees
worse than if the Indians were after us. Our
Orderly soon brought us ont of that, however,
by calling out, 'lIome Guardsl fall in" and
our Captain consoled us by saying, "Solders
are never made Of sugar or SALT and off VIC
started
The wagons were well loaded to start with,
but when to the muddy roads was added the
weight of the rain continually falling upon the
tents, IL became quite task to get them along.
It continued to rain until one o'clock, but on We
went frequently wading in water up to cur
knees, and helping To push the wagons on be
fore us. We travelled eighteen miles without
resting, and camped on the Florida side of thu
Perdido river When we arrived with the wag
ons, VIC found the boys gathered around large
pine-knot fires drying thcmselvcs-and there
was soon more fun going on than on any evening
since VIC left Mobile. Every body that could
start line was out fishing, and there were sew
eral fine bass caught before supper, The water
was very clear and deep, and had it not beer
for our Surgeon, the whole Regiment would
have been in bathing.
Sunday we were allowed to sleep late, having
but five miles to go to the Railroad where W,
were to meet the train at nine o'clock. W.
were eating breakfast when the Second Regi
ment. under Captain Wade, passed us, having
travelled nine miles that morning. Our inca
was dispatched in hurry, and VIC commenced
striking tents Our advance guard was from
the jeff Davis Rifles, and they started after tn
other Regiment double quick. 1t did not TAX
long for them to come up with the rear guard
which they passed without much trouble; OF
reaching tho main body, however, they -wer
more spirited, and determined not to be passed
the race was continued until some Of their off
GERS politely requested our boys to hold back
as their men were very much fatigued from tn
long march they had taken before day-the.
were determined TO fall in their tracks befor
they would be passed. ~
Our main body did not get started for som
a. - Al. s-.k, Il