Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-10-31

enemy from cutting them of, and to give the
men as much time to prepare for the attack
in Camp as can be gained by keeping the
enemy back. During the day part of the
men may sleep part keeping watch. At
night not man dare sleep either at the
posts or reserves, and every one approaching
must promptly respond to the sentinels hail
"Who comes there I" There are from three
to five men on each station. We are ordered
not to fire except when attacked or appro-
ached by superior force. Persons appro-
aching the lines without the countersign are
compelled to surrender and sent to headquar-
ters. Refusing to surrender they are fired
upon. Thus it is that the sons of the Key
stone keep watch and ward about the gates
of the Capital.
We made reconnaissance on Sunday last
in company with detachments from the other
regiments Of the Brigade, and our Battery,
(Motts.) We went out towards Fairfax and
then detected towards Leesburg. in all a
distance of eight miles, We were drawn up
just on this side of hill which we have
since learned is called Flient Hill. One Of
the Cavalry who accompanied US, and went
on by the Fairfax road was mortally wound
ed by rebel picket. see by the Tribune
that we saw great many Rebel Pickets
| from the brow of the hill, but as I did not
take the trouble to look over the hill can't
say whether we did or not. We grow very
careless of passing events. None of our
company l believe cared enough about the
enemy to 60 twenty rods to see what was be-
yond US. Gen. Mcclellan came out and
took off bis hat to our graceful present arms.
He is fine looking fellow and rides good
horse, don't know whether . he knops hoas
to keep a hotel" or not, but believe he can
command an army. Just as we came to the
hill and the cannon commenced wheeling off
the road, a beautiful young lady came from q
little house beyond, waving white handker-
chief. Our boys understood it as welcsle,
and their eyes frightened, but think she
feared we were going 20 open fire, for she
said as she came up " ! thought you were
going to fire." She seemed much pleased to
find we were not, and | presume that the
Rebel Pickets acre close and that she scas
alcare Of 1t. Perhaps brother was in their
midst, and about whose welfare she was
anxious, or acquaintance had been formed
with some one who had been there on Picket
ha do of
things in war before. We came back in
good spirits and have been busy since try
ing to keep dry. We have no difficulty in
keeping cool. Now don't forget to send us
the Democrat. A few words as to the elec-
tion. We care nothing about party, all we
are sorry for is that the true Unionists of
both or all parties did not unite. and that
few secessionists and cqmpromisers got Office
throuh partizau votes. We do not consider tie
expression of Centre county of much imrcr-
tance, on account of the we'll known igno-
rance of the southeast portion of it. Such
people are unfit for self government and it is
fortunate that they have the majority in but
few sections. We can also see the indiffer-
ence of the men who had pressed che Republi-
can Party into service to preserve tariff to
secure their personal interests, and then be-
cause they feared the effect ofa conflict, were
ready for the same reeson to sacrifice all that
they had professed to be noble and just and
right. We hope the time will come when
ignorance will cease to rule the county, and
sel6sh business will be unable to shape pub
lie policy to serve private interests. The on
ly question before us now, is, whether the
people of this couHtry ought to rule it, and
the will of the majority be carried out, and
all others are subordinate or they are dead
questions. Yours very truly
A. B. I'll.