The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-09-04
VIRGINIA CORRESPONDENTS.
lroR THE LANCASTER LEsGxR.
Germantown, Va, Aug. IL, Is

Germantown, Va, Aug IA, 1861.
On Monday morning, the Sd Brigade of
the corps of the army Of the Potomac
struck tents at Camp Pettus and took up
the liue Of march Zoe this place. The Sd
Brigade is composed of the 9th Regiment,
Col. Jenkins the 4th, Col. S:oan; the 9Th,
Col. Winder, and the 9!h, Col. Blanding.- -
The sick who were unable TO travel were
left. DR.. Crawford was detailed TO attend
the sick Of our Regiment, the 9th. lie is n
great favoritc, and especially beloved by the
sick it is to be hoped the separation will
not last loug miss his company, society
and cheertulness in our mess In camp
i1fe 1t seems If measles are prevailing no
one escapes, who has not had them. Per-
sons who have had frequent opportunities
OF taking measles at home and escaped, are
sure to take camp measles. 1t il certainly
the most unproPitious place that n poor
soldier could take them. but so it is, he has
to submit TO his misfortune and bad luck,
without comfort bat on the contrary with
every privation and Inconvenience often
wet, With wet bluaket to sleep upon, a
wet blanket to cover with, We, knupsack
Tor pillow and the wet ground for bed
he has TO grin and bear it, At home, he
would die with such treatment, or. rather
with such suderngs, but in camp, II kind
God seems to protect the patriotism of the
poor soldier and spare the lives of many,
who under any other circumstances would
die. Enough and too many will die hore
as 1t is, but if any Of our friends at home
could be suddenly transferred from the com
forts Of home and see the sick here, their
condition and sufferings and what they un.
derg", they would suppose all or nearly all
must die. Previous to Monday for the last
Two weeks, the sun when it wns no, ruin.
ing was exceedingly hot. Monday, the day
we left Camp Pettus, was cloudy and pleas
ant, but soon after we commenced the
m 'rch it began to rain and rajned on us the
most OF the way; the road was often one
puddle of water aud the steady tramp of
the four Regiments made II as sloppy AS
the streets about II wet Christmas, or the
hog pen about hog killing time The road
in some places being red clay like the Wax
haws. in other places white soil but equal.
ly rs stiff and muddy. We were in the
rear of the four Regiments, and the bag.
gage trains Of the other three contributed
TO make tire roads worse and still more dis
agreeable, but soldier can get used to nj.
most every Inconvenience. Many were
cheerful ana appeared to enjoy the fun of
tie rain pelting from above and the water
flowing in the road beneath their feet-a
few looked rs if it was more than they de.
sired or Largained for. Each man on the
march carries his musket. cartridge box fill
oi with powder aud ball. from 90 to 40
rounds; his cantecn filled with water, his
hnverssck with three days provisions, and
his knapsack with his clothing and ban.
kets. The weight Of the whole being ful.
Iy fifty pounds. My office require me to
have horse. | find one useful and conve.
sienl On many occasions, but especially 10
on such march rs we had on last Monday.
IL is true horse is some trouble in camp,
but on the march his usefulness counter.
balances all that. "a horse ! n horse my
Kingdom for u horse !" has been thought of
and wished for with as much earnestness
and vim, as when that expression was utter
ed by King Richard iii.
Germantown is u miles from Alexandria,
about II f,om Frirfax G.. II and about l8
miles from Washington. II is n small
cross roads village. Before the Lincoln
forces passed along it contained about 8 or
ten houses, six OF which they burned the
"himneys and cinders mark the places they
stood. j, was low, mean and contempt.
bio revenge, prompted with Hessian spir-
it Of meanness, to destroy the dwellings Of
unofiending citizens, for to them they had
done no harm, beside, they were the houses
evidently Of poor men their families are
now out Of doors, house!ess and homeless.
Auuust lath