The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-11-27
correspondence Of the indianapolis .ournal.1
Crossing the POtOmic...A Vived
Sketch.
LETTER FROM BANKS coMMAND-ouR INDIANA
MEN AT EDWARDS FERRY.
Headquarters Banks Command

o Headquarters Banks Command.
On Monday October 21, the 10th Indian
$ regiment received orders to march acros
, the Potomac. We had moved camp ths
t day.and worked hard to arrange this comfol
tably around US, for we expected to spen
: some time in this beautiful camp, encircle
, by the grandest scenery We. had yet behcl
in Maryland. Our tents were pitched in
, cloverfeld, near an old brick mansion
Across the road was an old house in whic
, VIM Writ is said to have taught school
Tar away to the left was line of dim blu
mountains in Virginia; on the other ham
rose the grand old Sugar-loar from anon,
the surrounding hills like monarch anon.
bis courtiers.
/ While on dress parade an abide camp gal
loped up with an order from General Aber
crombie. Over the hills we heard the shout:
OF the Indiana 37tb, who had received tht
order few moments previous. As the Col
oneftold us, the men ventilated ther Hoosie,
lungs with will We had looked forward
to good nights rest after the day S toll, bu,
with kind of wild thrilling Joy the men
went to work packing knapsacks, trying
their guns, hunting lost straps, stealing new
ones, striking tents and loading wagons
Tie camp fires flared up in the evening twi-
/ light. Just as the moon rose over the hills
we started for Virginia--supposcd we were
going to Chain Bridge, but at Jamestown
we took the river road, within hall mil e Of
which we halted for the night. We crept in
under the bushes and dense pine trees.
wrapped our blankets around us, and lay
down to dream Of home, on this our last
night in Maryland; but in twenty minutes
were called up again, and took the road lead
ing to Edwards Ferry. We stopped to
let Gen. Banks and his escort of cavalry
sweep by, and then up and on again; cross.
ed the Samecca at the mills. 1t was long
and tiresome forced march. On we went as
fast as we could walk, with our heavy KNAPP
sacks, and cartridge box swith forty rounds
of MIME balls. The moon, which had Just ris-
en- aswe started, stood almost overhead. Our
canteens gave out and the muddy water by
the roadside was eagerly drank. NV captain
handed me lineup full Of water from a
mud. hole, which tasted like the nectar of the
gods.
Many could stand it no longer but drop
ped by the roadside. Nothing could have
sustained the men but the thought of eros
sing the river and being in battle on the
morrow. We had earned the defeat of the
three regiments under Col. Baker, who paid
the penalty of obeying orders with his life.
At last. within half mile of the Fer
ry at o'clock in the morning, we lay down
to rest, and at dawn awoke to find cold,
drizzlipg rain falling, wetting our blankets.
Some ofthe regiments had managed to make
a fire, around which the men gathered, try
ing to warm their benumed fingers, Not a
word of complaint was uttered, for the
watchword was, Virginia" Soon came
the command, "ForTard" the hill.
through mud and rain, and the broad Poto.
mac was before US. Five companies board
ed canal boat and started. 1t was'a cold
and dreary morning. The body of Col Ba.
ker had just passed. talked with some of
the California regiment who had thrown
away their guns and swan the river. Old
Abercrombie, with his gray hair streaming
about his head waded around needless Of the
rain, while Gen. German on horseback was
busy experimenting the crossing. The re-
maindcr of tie regiment was soon over, and
we sprang upon rhe muddy shore Of the
"Mother of the Presidents" Five or six
regiments were stretched along on the
banks. They were bringing in beef, cab
base, and slaughtered pigs as "secesh''
trophie. AS we had nothing to eat but
crackers, our boys were soon engaged in fol
lowing their good example We were on
piece Of bottom land which extended in one
direction 800 yards to bluff, on the top Of
which were two pieces of cannon and our
outside pickets in the other to Goose Creek,
the mouth ofwhich is opposite the Ferry. ~
In the afternoon, as we were gathered
around making coffee, volley was fred
over the hills, and at the same instant the
cannons opened on them. We sprang to
orr guns, which were stuck bayoIet FORE
most into the ground to keep the rain from
injuring the charges. Abcrcrombie told the
Colonel to form the battalion and march up
on to the hill. Messengers came riding BY
with the news that the rebels were advan-
cling, while the driven in pickets confirmed
the intelligence. Away we went at double
quick up the hill through the mnd and
formed in line of battle to the left Of the bat
terry, amid the rattle of musketry and bang
of cannon. The sharp shooters we're de.
ployed as skirmishers on our left and in q
chain ofrife pits in front, popping away al
every opportunity. German and Abercom
bic were there, and soon Banks came riding
down our lines with the same calm, prouc
look he always wears, his compressed lip.
showing man who keeps his own counsel
i All three were in group, when man rod,
4 past attended by small body guard, whom
knew by his picture and from what I ha,
heard Of hun must be the gallant Gen. Ian
der. Hewas wounded having been GU
when the rebels first came up and fred. II
wore a slouched hat, and looked much lk
4 a Western busl, whacker. lstrr