Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-10-09
Letter from Fifth Regiment.
CAMP ADVANCE, Va, !
Sept. 26, 1861. (

Sept. 20, 1861.
FRIEND CoyER:-The papers have,
doubtless, Informed you that the 5th Wis
consin has crossed the dividing line, and is
now encamped on she sacred soif' of old
Virginia.
Ne left our canp-near Columbia Col
lere, Washington, the night Of the Second
81 September, and marched with quick
step to the Chain Bridge. which we crossed
and encamped upon the heights above the
river about o'clock A. NJ, Sept. 3d.
Not a loud word was spoken after we
reached the top Of the hill, but the sol
diers were quietly ordered to lie down
upon their arms and wait for the break of
day. Report said the rebels were near in
large bodies, SO you can imagine our
troops felt somewhat anxious for daylight
10 make its appearance. Day at last but
no secesh near. We found ourselves in a
rough country. AS far as the eye could
reach, hills and valleys intersected each
other and nearly all was coated with a
thick growth of timber, mostly pine. A
few houses could be seen through the mar
row opening in the trees or over the smaller
ones.
Our Regiment has been here ever since,
on the very spot where we lay the first
night. The soldiers have been busy build
inc forts and fortying this turnpike at this
point. The officers think the place is now
secure against any attack of the enemy.
Heretofore the Regiment has been drilling
as sort Of play; now we are in the enc
mics country and at real war work. Some
companies 90 out from the 5th every day
as picket guards; these are thrown out
from mile and half to two miles in adj
vance Of the camp. The piekets of the
rebels are frequently seen by our scouts
and often shots are exchanged. "A few
have been killed bit none thus far from
our Regiment. We have also had few
skirmishes with them. A good deal of
maneuyering on both sides to draw on the
enemy, but they are exceedingly cunning;
they will not come out of their strong
holds.
Our scouts have succeeded in caIturing
number of prisoners, ranking as high as
Majors and Colonies. Yesterday great
draw was made upon the secessionists:
over so tuns Of hay, 50 cows, few
horses, leo sheep and an aid to Virginia
General. The Wisconsin 9Th went out as
part of the police force to guard the
wagons. They come within sight Of the
rebel batteries and exchanged shots-none
on our side killed.
Deserters come in every week from the
enemy, but their accounts are so conflicting
that one gets but little real information.
Most of the houses in the vicinity Of
the Chain Bridge are deserted, the owners
having fled at the first outbreak, some to
! Washington but greater part to the
Southern army. Now and then an old
decrepid negro may be found on the prem
ises to look after the farm and cattle. If
the houses happen to be on the side Of our
pickets lbse is little protection for their
property; but no resident can leave his
door without a pass. The .Eaet of country
between our pickets and theirs, suffers
most. The marauding bands do not hesi-
tate to take every available thing they can
/ iOI lliClI own usSs \ gill lbiOAhiSA W
Sergeant E. G. Hungerford, who has been
out several times on scouting expeditions,
that he finds furniture broken and serious
damage done to other property, simply to
CRAFTY reyengeful disposition. Every
day loads Of goods come in from the d.
rection Of Falls Church-owners hurrying
out of the secession country.
The Grant County Boys are ali we'll.
Quartermaster Clark is as busy as bee in
tar bucket, with Richard TO help him.
We are all getting fat on secesh mutton
and feeding our horses on secesh hay and
oats. The health of the Regiment is toll
crabIy good. The climate here is quite
favorable to health; the water is good.
Our tents nave lately come over the river
and We are now nearly as comfortably sit
usted as we we were in Camp Randall.
We have daily mail from Washington
City. have full charge Of tllat and act
as postmaster. A two bushel bag holds
the letters and papers for our Regiment,
and often it is crowded to its utmost ca
pacty. We are a reading Regiment and a
writing Regiment too, and before we re-
tarn the country will learn that we are a
fighting one also.
Most respectfully yours,
r. LANGLY.