Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-14

Major G. to raise Massachusetts, regiment, in
addition to the five that had at that time been
accented by the secretary OF war. Col. Gordon
is disciplnarian in the slrictest sense. So
perfect is the discipline of the regiment, and
so accurate their drill, that they have been
almost universally mistaken for regulars by
other regiments in the division. The general
order detaching the second to occupy Harper's
Ferry announced that twas selected on account
of its discipline, for this especial honor
Our reception at Harper's Ferry was most
gratifying. 1t was a perfect ovation Inc
delight Of the people at once more seeing
Union troops aud living under the stars ana
stripes, knew no bounds. have never before
seen such wild abandonment to joy. So un'
expected and so different was our reception
from what previous days had taught us 10
expect that the men could not be restrained,
and cheer upon cheer rent the air. The Union
feeling in Harpers Ferry is intense. Though
it has been strongly fortified by the rebels,
and held by them for weeks, yet through all
the loyalty of her Inhabitants remained un-
tainted. One old man swung his hat, exclalm-
ing, "This is what we have prayed for and
heard told OF, but what we have never seen
before" The ladies of the town presented
beautiful flag which had been carried hun
dred miles into Maryland, to secure it from
the defamation OF the rebel hordes. They had
agreed to bestow it upon the first federal regi-
ment which should enter Harper's Ferry.
For Harper's Ferry nature has done all that
it was possible to do. The town is built at
the junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah
rivers, in one Of the most romantic spots in
which it has ever been my lot to be placed
But the houses, the yards, the streets, would
make Yankees head ache. The government
buildings must have been very fine. Even
the ruins are imposing The iron gate, with
the large stone pillars, remain intact But the
dwelling houses in general would disgrace
Pine Meadow. Many of them are untenanted,
their occupants having been driven out on ac-
count OF their Union sentiments. These are
daily returning in considerable numbers, be-
ing assured of protection by the federal troops.
One man said that he had left his house at
an hours notice, on the eighth day OF May,
and that he had but just re-entered it for the
first time since.
Co. l, to which your correspondent belongs,
has been stationed at the mouth OF the Mo
nocacy river, twenty miles farther down the
Potomac The Cheshire and Ohio canal here
crosses the Monocacy by fine aqueduct
The rebels have frequently threatened to de
stroy this ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF property
seems to be their peculiar penchGnt-and We
were sent TO guard it. This service was ar
agreeable relief from the monotony OF soldier
life. Our camp commanded beautiful pros
pect Blackberries just in their prime, were
inexhaustible. Butter was but ten cents
pound. Iloecakes were baked in plenty
The danger was enough TO keep US from stag
nation 1t had been place of much impor
lance to Gen Johnson. Arms collected iron
all parts of Maryland were secretly deposited
. here, and by ford of the Potomac, carriet
over into Virginia, and thence distribute,
q through the secession army. BY information
q obtained from negroes, We were enabled
make a haul Of five breech.loadng rifle ca
bines, three silver-mounted Colts revolver
:. twenty smoothbore muskets, a quantity
ammunition of all kinds, medical stores, &
. Among the latter were about thirty bottles
quinine, which, in "secesh," cannot be o
= tanned for less than SO per bottle.
Gen. Banks is now encamped with his
vision on the Mary land Heights, opposit
by nature, and with the help OF Doubleday'i
Perkins, and the Rhode Island batteries, ca
pablo of defyinn ila ,"ii = - = 1-'
are lett in Harper's Ferry. They occupy, a;
guard room, the very engine-house which
John Brown occupied as fortress, and where
he held at bay a small army for forty-eight
hours. The sits for musketry and the marks
of the bullets are plainly to be seen.
There is no indication of IL forward move.
ment at present. We are resting on our oars,
drilling daily, and waiting for cool weather.
The tedium of camp life is frequently relieved
by sight of the SPY. 1t is always welcome.
and its columns scanned with interest.
! E. w. P.