Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-11-16

Letter from Sd Reg. z. r. v. Corps
CAM PlNkroNr. FnlriNx CO., va.

November ID, 1861.
r. wilvert, Dcnr Friend AT your request, erf to
iull my promise ade by me ~ keep you p.s.eu ~ ,he ,h
day of rest to the soldier we Us the civilian, cun th,nh
ut nothing with winch to pass the time more pinhtaoiy
,nan ny describing friend s."e a ". "T He "aes
march we have had was August 9th, marched as body
guard for Gen Mccall on reconol sahce MS lar us the
Falls distance of IL miles We arrived buck at camp
a0Out dark, marching ~ miles one vi The hottest dnys
the season. Nothing any consequence occurred until
the 33d when we were ordered with the other Penn
Reserve Regiments for grand review by tue President
and Gen. Mcclellan. 1t was beuuufulsght
The intervening time is taken up hy the men performing
fatigue duty, cutting down woods, budng ,r!s &c VI,
the ith Of Sept the greater portion NJ the regiment were
clearing nhd lcaing ground So rs 10 extend the mts VI
camp. About O'Clock that day calrna ing was
heard IN the direction Chain Dridge we received orders
n pack one days ratiuns and ill can.eehs wh water
and be ready to fall into line at honehts notice, Wne
dtng So the Adjuant came ntocinl hts horse 10 per,
feet i"m. The orders came ana we were iu! hi'eu ,
aud on the march, all thought to our hrst hgh'
minutes. Soon afterwards the Artillery passed us ana
took the lend, when the whole line moved IN order tnwh.us
the Chain Bridge When the head uf line reached tnee,
W. brought to halt by meeting the Sixth Iscri-
Regiment coming buck. We returned and arrived at
camp at O'clock when three cheers were given to Zen
Mccall and three to Horto G sickles loved Colonel
October 18th, sad and fatal accident occurred BAT
terry Of Artillery was stationed on the hill in front of
lnes and usual, many were looking On. young nni
was lying down, his head resting On his tgh arm Oiders
were given for the first time for GROUND arms "ni mus
kes all loaded with ball and three buck siut One
acciden tally discharged, the ball passing tInhgh Tie
young MANS arm near the elbow joint making compound
elderly man, who writing letter 'ne he staggered
OF t,- tent and fell dead The body was sen, h"ne
escorted part Of the way by two o Uu eoh-
panes and band.
About i2 O'Clock p. NJ, the 18th cooks were or
dered prepare daysrutons On the l0h the WI lie
Division moved out the Leeshug pike and oil ilousht we
wouid fight. The Kane Rifles (Iie oi the Re-
seves) taking the lead and acted as scouts for the Dvl-
son. After marching about miles, we halted foimed III
hue OF battle stacked and retired to lest and sleep
the ground for bed and the canopy of Heaven Tor our
covering. The next day was passed in nunging about
Towards evening the Colonel sent to camp fO two days
provision. On the morning of the 2ls, our COM
ply and Co. E. ordered picket duty miles TUT
ther, where arrived at day break formed out relets
posted the After breakfast squads OF and started
search Of cnnraband food lat least we called ~ IT
was long before potatoes and cabbage arrived Before
Fight samSyhere was the cry and it was not long before
Adjuami Johnson came and ordered to march TO the
v~ to join company E aud march to Join our regiment
Before reached the road the provision scouts 1ineo
sJme with chickens, geese and ducks, and we pnsseh
place where some Of the boys had porket skinned ana
qiarteIed, which they had to tave One party came III
wtha small porker aud found gone they dropped hog,
and started double quick until they caught us, thereby
cheating the company out If splendid banquet We join
ed regiment and marched back to camp. Two days
Ia,ions ordered and the to rest they would 6e
ready TO march mt moments notice We received tue
news of Col Dakersa death and the loss Balls Bluff ON the
I'D. II great blow to us, for afterwards heard
that we weIe within miles Of that doomed band Of heroes
and no show for to march to their assistance.
At the present writing 1t is cold enough make feel
for overeoats nnd little fire.
Respectfully, Your Fliend,
| =, GOSI.iiK.