Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-10-30
LETTER FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
CAuP PIERPoNr, Va, Oct. l8. 1861.

D'" AteP"otcaH '-HaVng some spare
time this evening it occurred 20 me that
might succeed in dashing eff few lines
that would at least inform your readers Of
the present location of the Fifth Pennsyl-
vania Reserv, Volunteers ("The Bloody
FIFTH" as the boys call themselves) the
late of at least some of its sol iiers, many
Of them doubtless feel an interest.
/. My last was dated at Camp Tenally, in
the District Of Columbia, where we had
lain for over two months, although during
that time several spasmodic efforts we're
made to 80 somewhere; but they always
ended in our returning to our old camp.
Finally, on the evening of the 9th of the
present month, the day following the
Pennsylvania election, we were ordered
to strike our tents ard get in line. About
7 o'clock, P. NJ, we were moved off, and
that is the last saw of Camp Tenally, or
perhaps ever may see. No intimstion had
been received by the men Of the direction
which we We re to go-pe:haps the compa.
ny officers knew bu, think even that is
doubtful. An impression had prevailed
in camp for a day or so that when we did
move, j! would be up to Jamestown to
join Gen. Ranks and so certain were ma
ny of US Of this that the general cry, as
we were getting under arms and ready,
wn p
soon discovered, however that we had
mistaken our destination, and that some
other locality was to be The theatre of our
daring achievements. A short march
brought US to the road branching off to-
wards the Chain Bridge, which crosses the
Potomac at Georgetown, and u is we fol-
lowed, feeling now, that at last our feet
were soon to press the sacred soil of Vr.
ginia, the Mother of States and States,
men, and the homo Of chivalry. 1t was u
calm, Starless night, with temperature
neither too cool for comfort. nor too warm
for exercise. and after brisk march of
about three hours found ourselves halted
in a field about four miles from the end of
the Chain bridge, il westerly direction,
and about eight from whence we started.
OF course our baggage, tents, &C., could
not be brought with us at this pace, and
with our blankets and coats, we made our
beds upon the soft grass and slept sound>
ly until daybreak next morning. Having
been ordered 10 take two days ratons in
our hayersacks, we had plenty TO eat for
next day, and after breakfast we moved
forward and finally halted in a beautiful
grove on the right, and Only short dis
tance from where we spent the night, and
made our camp. The baggage arrived du-
ring the afternoon.
We have now one Of the prettiest spots
for camp that can be imagined A fine
white oak grove entirely free from under
brush, and since we have cleared off all
the leaves and rubbish, looks, il the tents
were out Of the way, like grand park.
Our tents are pitched on the summit Of a
small ridge, which slopes both ways, and
terminates on our right in an abrupt de-
clivi;y, affording facilities for both drskns
age and defence that could not have been
bettered if it had been especially construc.
ted for a camp. Since we have been here
our duties have been similar to those at
our previous encampmerts, excepting that
we have exchanged digging anil throwing
up fortiications, for telling frees. We
supposed. when we reached here first,
that q battle would surely take place in
shcrt time, and that we had been march
ed over the river either TO engage the en-
emy Or to support other forces engaged /;
but although we have been called nearly
every morning at aybreak, and some-
times couple OF hours earlier and mar
shalled in line, we have never yet seen
either the glimpse or the ghost Of seces-
sionist. Notwithstanding the enemy's
rickets are almost in sight of ours and in
some instances have been within hailing
tlsNNH't' tNtll hd1
occurs along the line of pickets 70 cause a
commotiop in the varions camps. Only
yesterday afternoon, while ! was paying
visit to some of the adjoining brigades,
battery commenced throwing shells to-
yards the enemys' lines under the inn
preston that force was in tho vicinity,
|
and detachment, consisting of several
companies of Infantry, one Of Caral:y,
and battery Of ARTILLERY. we're thrown
forward to reconnetre the positicn-with
wha, result, however. have not been able
10 learn, as they had not returned when l
left the camp from which the movement
was made This is about the manner in
which the troops here rut in their time.
A battle is daily apprebended, and yet we
scarcely know where the enemy is TO come