Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-09-25
Camp Correspondence.
CAMP LYONS, NEAR CHAM BRIDGE. Md,
September -, 1861.


CAMP LroSs, NEAR CHAM BRIDGE. Nd,
September II, 1861.
FRIEND Lutte The best poems are
said to have teen written when the au-
thor was constrained to write by the mo-
wing of the spirit. If letters are made
readable from the same cause then this
will be very dull one, for L am com
PEELED to force the inspiring spirit to give
me even one expression worthy ,f being
written for others to read. l write this
sitting on the ground in the open air on
an ammunition box, and you can have
some small idea of the pleasantness of
the situation when you are informed that
last night it rained in torrents and wet
the whole regiment thoroughly. We
have been bivouaced here within two
hundred yards of the Potomac and with,
in short distance of the Chain Bridge
for eight days without any cover but our
blankets and few bushes made into
bowers. The bowers are no protection
against the rain, and last night for the
third time we enjoyed the pleasure of
having the water run down our backs
and in cur eyes aad ears, Us we lay en-
joying the luxuriant sensation of drench-
ed clothes against the skin. At first the
angry passions of the boys were aroused,
and there was murmuring. not loud
but deep, of unholy petitions and of GER
tain consignments to that region "where
the fire is not quenched." Then as the
rain came faster and heavier the anger
was drowned out and mirth rose trium
plant over the scene. The boys jumped
out of their beds, making fun out of the
rain, their companions and their own
condition. / heard one boy halloo to an
other who was bedded some little dis
tauce from him" Oh, Joe how much
water do you draw" Another declared
he had to hold on to a tree to keep from
being hoated down to Secessia. A grea:
many imagined themselves commanders
of Regiments and aroused every one by
their commands. There was a very sat
isfactory confusion of sounds, and l was
entertained by them all the time [ could
get from the complaints of my bed fell
low, who would often change his posi-
ton and say, Oh -, this is rough ;
can't get il any position but the rain
will run into my ears" His cars were
not remarkably long.
Yesterday afternoon while on Battal-
lion Drill, We received orders to cross the
river, as n little fun was expected. The
command was received with shout, and
ia few minutes we were treading the
sacred soil" When two miles from
the river VIC met the returning forces, the
skirmish having ended. and marched quiz
city back to where we started. know
nothing that is reliable of the cause or
the result of the fight, but understood
that the rebels fell back. The 10th n. Y.
Highlanders, 10th Indiana, Sd Vermont,
Ist Chasseurs, and Col. Bakers Cslifor
mia Regiment were among those who
made up the advance. Five or six killed
on our side and seven or eight wounded.
Loss among the Rebels unknown. These
facts are just as l received them from
some of the soldiers. There are many
facts and speculations concerning the
movements of our Regiment and the ar
my in general that have been and are
likely to be made, that would be interes,
ting to write, but the general order from
headquarters restraining communications
concerning movements and camps for
bids. Indeed we do not know what in
direct means may give the enemy infor.
nation. The fact of the movement Of
one Regiment brought to the Rebels no
tiee might defeat the designs of the Gov
eminent. Hence the most importan
and interesting source of etter-writing il
cut of. Our boys are very anxious for {
fight, and the frequent firing of the Fed
eral batteries just across the river by way
of trying their range, only sharpens the
desire for an onward movement. Every
night moro or less firing of musketry by
pickets can be heard in various directions
They are generally false alarms. Com