Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-24
LETTER FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
CAMP q MILES FROM CUMBERLAND on
II-I


THE PoToMao, July 18th, 1861.
TOD. j. DENMARK, Eso.-DEAR UNCLE =
Your letter in care OF Lieut.. Hartshorn, WAS
received, and found me we'll and glad to hear
from YOU have-so many things to say, that
scarce know where to begin. Since last
wrote you've have moved twice. We were only
three days at Cumberland, where we had
splendid Camp, with every convenience we
could desire. We had just succeeded in get
ting everything arranged to our satisfaction
when we received orders to march. 1t was
not long until the camp was vacated, and We
were all on the march and now we are in the
enemies country, surrounded by foes, of whose
blood L have seen the first to-day. Yesterday
the greater part of the "Raftsman's Rangers -
and number of the ssBuck Tails" under
Capt. h. A. Irwin, were out on scout few
miles distant from our camp. They came in
contact with double their number of rebels,
and Immediately attacked them. Our boys
did not loose man, but CALAMITY repulsed
and dispersed them, making eight Of the vii
lians bite the dust. First-Sargeant, Patton
Bard, shot the Rebel Lieutenant dead, and
captured his horse. Capt. Irwin is spoken of
in the highest terms by all concerned for his
GOODNESS and bravery in the battle. He made
narrow escape. a musket ball having passed
within few inches of his head, and entered
the wall of the house near which he was stand
ing. The boys were in ine spirits when the
they returned, but presented pretty rough
appearance. Their faces were dark and flush
ed, and nearly every one had some little of
the spois. Capt. Irwin showed me bunch
papers taken from the fallen Lieutenant, Of
whom he spoke as brave man. The papers
consisted of his commission, letters, orders
and other documents. They were all stained
with his blood. One of the boys had a sword
with which the secessionists killed a man
named Kelly who came with us from Cumber
land. 1t was brutal murder. They killed him
while lying asleep on the porch of a house
near where the fighting took place. The
sword was stained with blood to the hit.
Three OF the Raftsman's Rangers rode fine
looking horses into camp to night, that they
had captured. One of our scouts who was in
the Mexican War, took the gold rings off the
Lieutanant's fingers and put them on his own.
don't think any of our boys would have done
it, but it is hard to tell, for war seems to
change their whole nature.
Our men are in great favor with Lieut.. Col.
Kane who is now accompanying them in their
scouting expeditions. He says they are just
the boys for the work and he is going to keep
them at it.
Our camp is right on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, one mile from where the Bridge was
burned few days since. We have train of
freight cars and two engines, which we use in
the Commissary department. l am writing this
letter in freight car, in which rode to Cum
beriand and back, yesterday, where we went
for army stores. / have been so busy, since
have been employed here that | could scarce
find time to write single letter. We had to
act for both regiments, but as John Biger has
been appointed Quarter Master, of the other
regiment, / think will now be able to hnd
time to keep you posted as to our movements.
Our men received month and half's pay
before leaving Cumberland, which relieved
them very much, as they needed it badly.
July, 16th.-I am glad did not send this
letter last evening, as COL Kane has just ar
rived this morning with orders to march,
We will be of to Romney in an hour. There
are 1900 Ohio soldiers ready to join us afew
miles from here. l think we will have fight
soon. Yours truly, JOHN LEMON.
Mr.. Lemon is Secretary in the Quarter
masters Department. He is worthy, intelli-
gent, and brave young man. EDroR]