Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-10-30
LETTER FROM TIE SEAT OF WAR

CAvP PIHRPoET, Va, Dot. rs, 1901
Dear Republican When addTes ed my
last letter 10 YOU scarcely expected 10
date another from this camp; but CONTRA
ry to the general expectation We are nere
vet, although we have not been here quite
ali the time since, aud are rot likely to be
very mucn longer.
Tho orders and general arrangements
aver since we have been stationed hare
have indicated an early forward move
mens. The several brigades Of McCaI!s
division. comprising the entire Penna.
Reserve. have been habituslly forming
line every morning at daybreak, since We
crossed the Potomac, and awaiting orders.
For several mornings, after standing In
ranks an hour or so, He were dismissed 10
our quarters with excellent sppetltes Tor
break fast, snd the caution 10 be ready 10
"tail ir" at n moments notice which no
,ce aforesaid, We we're beginning to think
had been indefinitely postponed; until
last Saturday morning, when, after having
been ordered the night previous TO pre-
pare ourselves with two days rations, in
layersarks, and our blankets and over
coats in knapsacks, we took up our line
Of march from camp and struck out OF
the Lcesburc turnpike III the direction oi
that place, in which direction we proceed
ed about fifteen miles, with occasional
hslts Of few minutes.
We arrived at place short distance
beyond Drainsyille about 4 o'clock p. III
and halting prepared our suppers. After
resting at this pon, for about two hours
for some reason unknown 10 us, ! mean
to the soldiers, as trust our command
srs knew why,) we fell back about three
niles and there b:vouaced for the nigh
In fence corners and under the bushes by
the road side. The night however wa'
not cold and wo all got along very com
fortably. Having taken no blanket with
me ! lay beneath a chump Of chestnu
bushes
"Like a warrior taking his rest, with my Dot
ual cloak around mo"
and euoyed q sound and refreshing SLEEP
We saw no armed secessionists durin
our march. although we encountere
quite numtier unarmed, but they wer
principally females the Tales being eth
or soldiers in the secession army, fugt
pyes or prisoners. The ladies' seemed /
feel no hesitation about expressing thej
secession sentiments; and one oomcl
and spirited looking lassie at Drainsvill
told some Of the boys who opened q con
versa ion with her that we had gone abou
as far in that direction as we would ge
and in short time she would see us com
ing back faster than we weut. Howeve
am happy 10 be able to record, that on
troops by their orderly and manly con
duct, made most favorable impression
on the inhabitants wherever we went
and many acts OF kindness were perform
cd tow ards our men bv those who took n
pains to conceal their abhorrence of ou
cause and the motives which brought Il
among them. One lady said very EN-
phaically, TO one of our officers that sh
had received an entirely ditferent impres
sion Of the character of our troops, as b,
ing lawless. brutal and barbarous hord
which would stop at no crimes or enoI
mites but that if all our soldiers weT
like those she saw, it would be no use fc
tteir men to Try to cope with them.
such inci1e nts rs this are some OF the ie
fedeemlng features OF this w r of breth
ren, and will do something towards mod
i'ying the hardships that are daily sutfeI
ed by those who are innocent OF any az
10 ohrng it on or continue it.
We remained at our bivouac dur,n
Sunday, and late on Monday forenoon
Started on our march back TO thin plac