Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-07-11
Letter from Camp Mason g. Dixon.
CAMP Mason Il DIXON, J

CAMP Mason Il DIXOS,l
Wednesday, July }, ls6l.i
Mr.. GooDRIcH-Dear Sir After long delay your
correspondent commenced letter from Camp Curtin
which abruptly broken off by receiving orders to pre-
pare 10 march. When the orders came, unarm
ed and totally unequpped, and were allowed but
few hours in which fit out. Our orders were TO march
to Cumberland to the relief of Col WALLACE of the In
diana Hpuaves and though not a man Of the Company
had yet handled gum and not rag had been provided
in the way of uniform the boys responded TO the call with
an arcy that spoke WELL either for their enthusiasm at
the opportunity offered for bit Of fight, or joy OF get
ting rid Of the imprisonment at Camp Curtin. The after
of Friday 2lst ult spent in the distribution OF
Shoes socks caps haversacks knapsacks and cartridge
boxes and belts-a that the State had yet received in
the line of equipments, and in the delivery of muskets
bearing the venerable date of quarter OF century ago.
but gstening with polish that had been recently given
them at the ArmOry. These antique firearms the
source of great deal of amusement. The Buck Tall
regiment had the promise of being armed with the best
rifles that could be procured and when those revolution
ary pieces given out to themperhaps there wasn't
row among the wild cats C)-tall swearing, and
few shed by of the disappointed sharpshOot
es and the whole regiment appeared the point of mu
tny-but upon receiving assurances that these arms
only temporary they reluctantly shoudered these
relics of former generation and returned tO their usual
equanimity.
Sunset found us ready for the move-baggage boxed
and piled cartridge boxes and knapsacks bucked on,
and our guns standing in stacks supporting flag up
on their crossed ba yonets Orders expected every
moment to move but we had watched the whole night
the dawn had appeared before the two regiments of
Coils BIDDLE (chef commander of POst) and SIMMONS,
with Capt. CAMPBELL sbattery of Artillery, took up their
march for the OF the Pennsylvania Central Nothing
of unusual interest transpred upon the journey of hun
dred miles which made up the Juniata to Hunting
don-except that the soldiers found out that neither
thusiasm the grand scenery through which they
passing would fill the place bread and beef supply
of which they had failed to bring with them but the Ia
dies of 4ntingdon had made preparations that would
have been ample had not the first train borne the Buck
Tails, who in the eating line, proved themselves able
to sustain the reputation of the locusts in Egypt.
At Huntingdon we took the Broad Top Road, in ad-
vance Of the Bucks and for five hours the long trains
rolled slowly up the heavy grade-through magnificent
mountain scenery and the famous high restework
bridges that swayed and shook the trains passed on
them over the chasms a hundred feet beneath.
The sun was getting behind the hills as we stopped at
our destination at the village of HOpewe, and the boys
dsembarked try for the first time the realities OF an
outdoor Camp life The site was grand one-a small
open plain surrounded on three sides by towering hills
We had no tents so little was to be done but to gather
drift wood fer fire, and make coffee, gnaw while at
Nova Scotia sea biscuit select soft spot of ground,
spread blankets and lie down. for the first time bene ath
the blue sky. Some, particular, spread fine boughs
for a COUCH while the undersigned laid himself in neat
hollow that nature had formed in the top OF big rock