Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-03
LETTER FROM CAMP PORTER.

~ CAMP PORTER, June 23d 1861.
Mr.. EDITOR JOURNAL This beautiful after
noon. whilst reclining in the shade of a tow
erng Black. Walnut, / was dreaming s.day
Dreams of home and loved ones that may
never smile upon again. And l thought
too, Mr.. Editor, OF the many sweet though sad
looking eyes that might glance over the pa
ges Of the Journal, and grow bright and spar
kle at the sight of a letter from Camp" If
You will let this have place, will give you a
rambling account of our doings since we left
Camp johnson at Lancaster. We left that
place with feelings something akin to those
we had when leaving home. The ladies of
Lancaster have our heartfelt thanks for the
many acts of kindness extended to us. When
arrived at Cham bersburg, we began to
alize some of the hardships of soldier life.
We had 10 remain in the cars some six or
eight hours after we arrived at the depot, and
make our breakfast on hard bread alone. 1t
raining hard all the time, and some of the
boys feeling the need of a comforter, quietly
left the cars and procured enough of the 'sOh
be joyful" to create a few out-bursts of patri-
Otism. One of them grew so rapidly in his
own estimation, that he thought he was the
Commander in-chief, and mistaking the Cap
tain for a sccessionist, he charged bayonet,
and with an oath said he would Kill him. At
this moment, one of the boys who had not for
gotten his duty, and wishing TO save the life
OF his Captain, Knocked the man down. Iu
hall an hour after, the order was given to leave
the cars and take up our line of march for
Camp. The rain still continued to fall, but
there was no help for it, out we must go. This
all did cheerfully, except VIM. Gillen,
who had threatened the life of our Captain.
Gillen, however, was forced to go, after ma
king d ash at our Lieut.. In passing through
Chambersburg, Gillen made an other attempt
on the life Of the Lieut., who avoided him,
not wishing fuss in the street. Again when
il.
and swore he would sooner kill a commission
ed officer than a secessionist, and that if he
got into a battle, the first shot he fired would
De at his own officers. The Lieut. ordered
him on with his company, but instead OF CO.
ing, he made another charge with his bayo-
net The Lieut. having lost all patience, took
the musket from him and Knocked him down,
and gave him few pelts after be was down
All the officers and men unite in saying, that
the Lieut. did but his duty, and would have
served the villain right if he had killed him.
Gillen has not showed himself at Camp since
and his whereabouts is not known. After
marching three and half miles, through mud
nearly knee deep, we arrived at Camp Patter-
SON. a few days after we arrived in Camp,
his same Lieut. was promoted to the Office of
Regimental Quarter Master and acting Com
mlsary of subsistence. Our Camp was named
IN honor of General Patterson. At this Camp
We were supplied with tents and began to re-
q
dlers life. On Sunday the 10th inst we struck
our tents and the same day pitched them In
Hagers field on the south of Hagerstown, Md.
In the evening were reviewed by Gen Pat
terson and Gov. Hicks. The Gen. made us
quite speech, and during his remarks the
Hov. appeared to be much moved !; but he had
not word TO say. On Monday night about
eleven O'Clock the call to earns" was given,
and in course of two hours the Regiments
We're under way, going they knew not where.
we marched back to, and through Hagers-
Town turning to the left. Not sound was to
pe heard but the heavy tread of armed men.
l. thlnk it was one of the most impressive
N'guts ever witnessed. So large body OF
i"en moving along with hasty strides, all ST.
'en' as death, save that solemn TRAMP,
thAAP, tramp. AS the SUMS first rays gilded
Tue spires and house tops of Williamsport,
oHpahy alter company, and regiment after
-esihent, filed past the town, and camped up
Uh m 'he banks of the bright Potomac and ere
,r .ne birds had sung their matin hymn, there
hes ese twenty thousand troops, where the night
lure ISo;OFe there was but regiment or two. Not
,bs one OF the initiated, can not tell why |
,, ,rese troops were so rapidly concentrated at
my as place; but rumor said the rebels had
,heaened to sack the town on that day. Two
.uSdhd men, perhaps crossed the river but
;n IN. meeting an enemy returned. After pass
,s s lne day in the sun, and it was most in
ii,Tt not, without anything to eat and but
fn 'e e 10 drink we took up our line of march |
a,. lamp Negley. About nine O'Clock We
,aaNu eu at Hagerstown where we were gladly |
;ss ;smred and most vociferously cheered by |
e,, onioh loving citizens. Weary and hun
I'VE II! we sought our pallets of straw to dream |
'Ne Hesh pots Of old Clearfeld. On ThRrs. |