The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-06-12
FOR TIE LANCASTER LEDGER. I
BULL Run, VA, NEAR CAMP PIcKENs. !
May 2Ith, 1861, {

! May 2'th, 1861.
DEAR EDlroR Had the genius OF
a johnson and the memory Of a SCION,
| could not tell you bali Of the daily oc
currences Of camp'.i(e---so much com
mo,ion--so much hustle and hurrv.-
However, know this much-there is
not much fun in it it is just wha, ex
! pected when left home, with one exc4p
tion The hardships have come on soon
er than ! anticipated.
will commence at Richmond, our
present capital. There, We Jared sump
tuously. Plenty to eat and drink-uoi
much to do except drill, which by the
way was very fa,iguing. We had free
access to the city, and upon the whole
our time was spent pleasantly. But
what change came over the spirit o.
our dreams" when on The morning Of the
24.h an order came from Headquarters
for US to march to parts unknown to all,
save tie big officers" At 2 O'Clock, D..
NJ, we struck tents. but did not get of
for want Of preparations at The depot
10 o'clock, p. m, found us jogging along,
rs We then supposed, Inc weary road to
Alexandria. When we left Richmond
amidst tho cheers vf thousands bidding
us God speed in our honorable mission.
we left all our Joy-our good eating and
drinking were gone-our liberties cur
tailed, and hope, "the eternal life blood
Of the SOUL" had almost forsakcn U.s.
Our reason for all this is, that We Jared
too well at Richmond our living was
not characteristic Of the soldier it was
like feeding on soft corn and choking with
the co6-the change WAS too sudden
Still not man murmured among the
"lnvncibles," excep, few who are Of a
grumJling nature.
We travelled very slow, on account Of
our train being so long. On the follow
ing morning we arrived at place called
Orange. There We met with an accident,
which threw gloom Of melancholy over
the countenauce OF every soldier in the
cars. The train coming down the road
from Washington being considerably be
bind time, caused ours to pass the june
tion-,hnking the other had halted,
which was it's duty according to the rules.
This neL Lligence or want Of promptitude
on the part OF its Engineer brought the
two trains into collision. The one com
ing down did not slacken his speeu, nel
,her did he give any signal. 1t was
thought it was intentional from the con,
Duct OF the conductor. He jumped off
before The collision took place and made
his escape one Of the soldiers fred at
bim as he left but missed. He would
have been killed bad it not been for the
interference OF others more prudent, such
was the excitement produced. ..-..
Now let mo tell you Of another in
stance Of the protection Of an oyerruling
Providence. Out OF perhaps one hun.
.dred men, IN the two injured cars, only
five or six were hurt--tbIee or four seri.
ous'y. None killed except negro, and
he did not belong TO any Of our soldiers.
| have heard 10 day one of the men was
dying. The first and second cars were
badly fractured. None OF the "Invipci
bles" were h5ea, although about dozen
were on the two cars thrown off the
track. We remained in that place until
late in the evening, detained until the
train could be put in travelling order
Before leaving ,ba. place must mention
the good citizens of Orange; After the
accident which caused our detention.
they seemed to think il their first duty
to prepare us good dinner, which they
did 10 good order and quick time. Rvery
door was opened--eyery table spread
and the soldiers welcomed d--tbrice vel.
coined 70 psrlake Of refreshments.
The next imPossaaf place was culpep-