Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-08-22
FROM COL. TURNER'S REGIMENT.
Written for The Fayetteville Observer.
NIo. XIV.

V'eSet yO SIG HuyettcVtGc CcSeIVcT.
CAMP JONES, August 9Th, 1861.
Mr.. WALLACE: AS several of
the ''boys" have been entertaining
your readers with letters from the
''tented field" and knowing that
our friends in Lincoln county de-
sire to know of our whereabouts
| am willing to contribute my mite
for their information, and, there
fore, seize this favorable opportu-
nifty to advance my purpose.
As you are aware, we were en-
camped about 5 miles from Manas-
sas junction, short distance be-
low the battlefield where such a
glorious victory was won on the
ever memorable 21st of July, ult.,
on Bull Run creek, (now called
Yankee run.) At this camp wa
ter was scarce, and the ''boys"
were compelled to drink, and cook
with, the water of Bull Run. until
some wells were dug near the
stream-from which water was
procured of a better quality-but
not such as was necessary for our
health. A good many were sick
from the effects Of the bad water,
and it was necessary to remove
our quarters. Accordingly On
Saturday morning, Sd inst, few
short hours "ayant the twa," we
were aroused and ordered to pre-
pare breakfast, strike tents, pack
up, and he in readiness to march
by 4 o'clock. We were ready at
the appointed time, but did not
move till after sun-up, when we
"struck out" in direction to the
right of the Junction. After a
march of about 6 miles, we turned
into a wood near Bristow depot, on
the Richmond and Lynchburg rail-
road, 4 miles below the Junction,
and have taken permanent quar-
tiers, for the better health and re-
cruiting of the Brigade-the wa
ter being of the first quality and
the position more elevated-con-
siderably above the level of Bull
Run. Here, unlike at Camp Bee,
we have cooling breeze, which,
in this warm weather, is quite re-
freshing-rendering the drill less
arduous. The country around
has a more "civilized' appearance
than the region of Camp Bee
being more thickly settled, and
the lands in cultivation. Here a
few extras can be procured to
change the usual meal of meat
and bread, and ever since our ar
rival here, chickens, turkeys and
vegetables have formed part of
our fare.
We have settled down into the
same dull routine of camp life,
and the hated drill now occupies
the warm part of the day. A fell
low ought not to be blamed for
i"possuming" in order to shun it,
because it is the hardest work that
man ever performed in these warm
days. Not being expert at the
"'possum" business, | have been
forced to 60 on drill every time ex-
cept when on guard duty, save in
a single instance-when, feeling a
little "out of Sorts" | told the Or
derby l was not able for duty, and
was reported to the Surgeon. He,
in his regular morning visit, came
to me and found me chopping wood
and cooking-felt of my pulse and
turned on his heel and walked off
saying, "Not dangerous" l was
so ''cut down" that l shouldercd
old smooth-bore and went to the
field, leaving my beef to take>care
of itself, as it YVES old enough.
We did not arrive in time to
take part in the fight Of the 21st
ult., owing to the engineer detain-
ing us,-having been hired, it is
supposed, to keep us from rein
forcing Beeuregard. l learn that
he has met with summary pun
ishment for his act. We did our
best to join our brigade, but were
foiled. After we did arrive at
the Junction, we stripped our
selves of every encumbrance, and
sdouble-quicked'' 6 miles, the roar
Of cannon and rattle of musketry
falling delightfully."- on our ears,
us with a will to con-
Iuer or die-to avenge the death