Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-11-09
CtNr JACKSON near Wil'ismsp0it. MI,
uciOb 'F eth, loGl.

since my last letter many import
ant changes have been made in the position
Of the forces stationed on the Upper Po.
tomac Our position is about the same, a,
with our present forces it would b. dan.
gerous to advance into the neck Of land
opposite US. If ocr troops occupy Lees
burg We will be likely to advance, and take
clean sweep down to the front of our
army, Unless the enemy send n large
force here, they can maintain their
ground as there ia danger Of their being
surrounded.
The cold frosty night remind us "daJl
lers in tents" that winter is coming on
apacc. When I left home the earth was
covered with the verdurc Of spring now
it has the sombcr hue of autumn. Many
who then left their homes in expectation
Of having nice time for few months,
now realize the lardships Of war. Many,
too, have gone to their last homes, and
many more are geing daily,
The cid weather reminded ms that wood
was necessary, and we were told that wood
could be had cicap in Virginia, Acting
on this information some 200 cavalry, 500
infantry and one piece Of artillery were
detailed to 60 and get it. Noue of the
commanding officers said anything about
it, until about one clock Thursday morn.
ing, the long roll va, beat, putting every
man in camp in action. In short order
MI were at the ford, a ferry boat carried
one company Of infantry over at time.
y Parrot ritied gun was put IN com.
nanding position so as to cover the retreat
Of the mcu, # necessary. The cavalry
used Tho fcrl. In order 10 become &C.
quaintcd with the ford, [ crossed The river
four times One poor fellow got below it,
when bis horse stumbled pitching him head
first into tue stream. He cried out Justify
for help but no one seemed disposed to
rescue him, until he reached place where
he cou stand when lariat rope was
thrown 10 him, and he was towed into
shore. One Of the officer desired me to
pilot hin across which / did, When near
the Virginia side and in four feet water,
ais horse treated him to a wet bath. His
large military boots were filled With water,
and on reaching the shore he pulled them
oil to empty them. While stan ling there
his horse started and run after IL, cavalry
leaving his owner sweating and swearing
at tight boots.
All had crossed ever BY o'clock, and
then the wagons commenced crossing
The cavalry took The lead. They pro,
ceeded about six miles into the interior,
when the command "HaA' was given by
some unknown person ahead, and the
challenge "Who comes there" The col
umn halted and formed Fix abreast when
the 81 haree" was sounded. The rebel
piokets, for such they proved to be, turned
aud ran IN the directiop OF VI rtln,burI
pur. ued by our cavalry. The race was
an exc ting Que though nothing was heard
but the rapid cL'ek,a,cfi& of the horses
hoofs upon the hard pike. Soon, however,
the forms of several men became visible
and then the officers in front commenced
firing random shots from their reyolvcrs at
the retreating forms. One Jagged behind.
Captain - rode up and shot him, the
bail taking effect in the thigh making but
flesh wound. Iustead of continuing the
pursuit as they should have done, the cav.
airy we're halted to introduce MIR, sfcesh
to his new acquaintances, They could hot
gain the ground there ost, before reaching
Martinsburg When near that place they
halted on hearing the approach Of cavalry
from an opposite direction, But one man
was seen in the darkness, and he was riding
along leisurely. One of our officers said
he would meet him alone and rode forward
with his six shooting carbine. On coming
within two rods Of the stranger he saw