The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-10-17
From our Volunteers.
Correspondence of The Alleghenian.

We started from our camp at about
o'clock P. NJ, and arrived there at 6.
This is considered pretty steep marching.
On arriving there, twenty-four men were
detailed from each company to do guard
duty some six miles further up the river,
and I had the misfortune to be one of
that number. We were very much IA
tigued when we arrived at our destination
and, to make matters worse, we had mel
ther blankets nor overcoats along, and
we're also without supper. The night was
very cold and the dew very heavy, and in
consequence we had a disagreeable time of
it. Our line of pickets was stationed be-
tween the river and canal, which in some
places are not hundred feet apart. We
we're relieved early next morning, and we
rode back to the Falls on boat.
The scenery at the Falls is most grand
the towering rocks, the deep, roaring
river, and the high mountains upon the
Virginia shore presenting very pictur-
csque appearance. But the grandest sight
is the "Falls" themselves. The water
dashes down over the rocks in some places
more than one hundred feet, and creates
a terrible sound as it falls upon the rocks
below.
Picketing was very interesting there, as
we had an opportunity of conversing with
the secession pickets. As you are aware, an
agreement was made between Gen. M'Clel-
Ian and the rebel commander, to the effect
that no more firing should be done be-
tween the pickets. This was very COM
Portable, inasmuch as the lives OF the
pickets would not be endangered. The
second day was on duty 1 had quite a
long and interesting confab with some of
the celebrated "Black Horse Cavalry" of
Bull Run notoriety, who talked with all
the familiarity Of friends. Most of those
with whom We were talking appeared like
respectable men, and seemed to regret
they were compelled to be our enemies
They do not like the New England Boys,
nor the Zouaves, but can "go" Pennsylva-
mans. Some of our boys even went across
the river and talked with them and drank
some of their whiskey. They are not
very well uniformed, it being a rusty, ugly
cloth, and apparently quite well worn.
This state of familiarity did not last
long, however. They broke the league
on Monday morning, by shooting one of
our pickets, without the least cause or
in our camp, one of the Field officers with
thirty men repaired to the place where
the picket had been shot, and showered
few charges among their pickets, killing
three of them. Immediately after our
men commenced firing, the rebels planted
seven cannon on the hill opposite our
quarters, about mile distant, and without
any ado, commenced shelling us effect
ually, sending their shells and cannon
balls whizzing through the old houses in
which we were quartered, and compelling
us to vacate forthwith. They fired in all
1l2 shots, but, fortunately for us, only
two or three shells exploded. One man
was struck ON the shoulder with piece
Of shell, and another had his gun bent
double, by cannon ball, while in the act
OF Gaping it. In consequence of our ar
tlllery being mile distant, we could not
return the iron compliment. After we
did get our guns into position, however,
We gave them ten shells, which scattered
them in every direction. We were reliev
ed on Wednesday, and arrived home late
In the evening.
= We held an election on Tuesday, each
party receiving about an equal number of
votes. The boys do not appear much con-
eerncd about the result of elections now.
On Wednesday we received marching
orders, and in the afternoon the whole
division crossed the Chain Bridge into
Virginia, and advanced six miles on the
Leesburg road, where We are now encamp-
ed We are within one mile of Lewins-
vile, eight miles from Fairfax Court
House, and fifteen from Leesburg. The
enemy's pickets were, on last Tuesday, at
the same place We are now. i.