The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-12-13
Our Military Correspondence.
PROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
CAMP PIERPoNT. McCall's Division. }
Army of the Potomac. Fairfax

ero this, proclaim what is to DO the destiny
OF our country. In this our expectations
have not been realized. Two months have
intervened since that date and now, as then,
the Rebels, s,thirsting for loyal blood to avonge
fancied wrongs and crafty ambitious do.
signs, prowl with impunity near our Ma
tional Capital. We are now, il possible,
more intricately involved in an awful war
than then. Neglect to redress frequ
grievances has inspired in the enemy hope
and courage. As one passes through the
several divisions of this army, aud beholds
the country spotted with the whto tonts
of soldiers, be wonders why the Stars and
Stripes do not now wave over Richmond
He asks himsolf why must winter opon upon
SO many soldiers on tho tented field, so far
North: There is force h6re collected
armed, drilled. in every way qualified, with
numbers. confidence and courage Sufficient
to conquer tho world besides, arrayed
against us in such an unjust and nnholy
cause ss that of our enemy. But we
shvor, and slumber, and await the order.
Forward, march !" No one will blanc the
American volunteer soldier for growing a
little impatient at so long protracted inaU-
tivity, The idea of so Iong living in tents
deprived of the privileges and benefits of
society, only to swell the number Of an oc.
casionaI "grand review" and semi occasion.
ally TO stand his turn of picket guard in the
cold rains and chill frosIs of a Southern
December night, without sloep, without
cover, to prevent tho surprise of an idle
army, and to prohibit travel in this con.
tomptble. dcpopulatod land, is no; at all
compatible with his previous education.
But wo must not complain. We would not.
h.a.
must confess that we do not like il, that
this army, this Grand Arm5 or che Potomac
has been kept so long inactive, whilo other
divisions, not notninaIly 30 grand, have &C.
complshod grander achievements and done
more to secure tho end for which we all on.
listed rs warriors in Freedoms and our
Countrys cause. We think our time will
come by and by, and welcome it is. Nav
God speed the day wnen everything shall
DO ripened for the harvest.
McCaIPs division is camped at Langley,
little town five miles west Of Chain Bridge.
on tho Georgetown and Leosburgh turnpike
road Close on the south is Gen. Smiths
division; a little south cast of his is Gen.
Portor's division; south cas-: of his is Con.
Buttoriield's division, which is on Halls
Hill, near Falls Church. Who is south of
him do not know, but the country, am
told, is covered with soldiers Us far as Alex.
andria. From three to five miles in front
of these divisions is tho limo of pickots-the
line which divides Constitutional liberty
from anarchy. From our division each of
tho three brigades sends out daily two com.
Panies for picket duty. They report on
tho line at four o'clock A. Nj. Tho com.
panios which thoy relieve do not start for
camp until sunrise, which leaves double
force of pickots on tho limo at tho time
whom an attack would bo most likely to be-
made
OF late, our pickets have beon somo.
what harrassed. Two of our seniinels were
shot night before last, They have been visiting
tho woods near our line, for some days past,
Two deserters from the Rebols approached
tho limo few days ago, and were blind. folded
and led to head quarters They complained
of hard fare. A Regiment of our cavalry went
OH o Reconnaissance TO Drainsyille recently,
and, when returning, were surprised by a
party of Robels in ambush. They sur
rounded the woods and took thirteen of
them, one being mortally wounded Tney
were taken by our camp, were poorly
clothed. aud no two dressed alike The
wounded one just before his death said that
they were ambushed there for tho purpose
of killing Con Mccall, when on some of
his visits which he frequently makes beyo
the picket line,
The health of the soldiers is as good as
could be expected. Those who are we'll
are very rugged. Noighboring houses,
which were deserted upon our Rrst approach,
arc used tor regimental hospitals. A fine
church, owned by the NJ. e. Church South,
is used by onr, the 10th Regiment. The
w. aui har Ia h.. g.
OF living, but suppose much warmer than
in Old Geauga. There has boen o slight
sprinkle of snow once. Tho air seems to
chill one here moro than it does farther
north. The soldiers havo built small log
pons three or four feet high. and fastened
their fonts on top OF these. In oach tent a
hole is dug in the ground for fireplace,
rude chimney constructed on tho outside. |
by keeping up ire all night, and sleeping
at u column closed en masse," we koep
warm whom asleep in our tents.
Among the funny things that occur in |
camp, was tho bursting OF Secession shell
the olher day. 1t had been fred by the
Rebels when thoy occupied this ground. 1t
was picked up and brought into CAMP
Some fellow throw il into fire. over which
we're cooking beans, that it might got hot,
aftOr which he would throw 1t into his tent
to warm it. IL burst when the fire was sur
rounded by soldiers. IL covered all with
beans, seriously injured thrOo. but killed
mono
Another singular circumstance occurred
in our Regiment few days ago. to wit:
wedding. A private sent home for his girl;
she came, and they we're married in camp.
The boys think he will now desire to devote
his time to raising company of infantry.
Congress has convened. We soldiers or
pect it will fight until it gets us deeper into
trouble or nearer out. Every resolution
seems to tend toward the mighty question
Of emancipation. Lot universal emancipa
lion be proclaimed, and We who arc now in
tho field will fight until tho captive is set
roe and the Union restored. Then, If we
ire permitted to return, we shall return
with the consciousness that we have accom-.
Dished noble and durable work that we
nave reared unto our generation monu-
nent more enduring than marble or brass.
Then, too, will the dying hopo OF Liberty
'ekinde in the hearts of down .trodden nat.
lots beyond the ocean. Yours, &c,
GEAUGA SOLDIER.
FROM CAMP DENNIsoN.
GAMo nunpYsOx nou