Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-12-04

CAMP ARLINGTON, VA.

CAMP ARLINGTON, VA.
November, 22d, 1861. 5
FRIEND CoyER;-Since | last wrote-to
you, we have made several moves. But
at present we are encamred about four
miles west or nearly SO Of Washington
City, on what is termed by some "the sa-
cred soil Of Virginia" But oh what an
error. It is anything else but sacred. 1t
is the theatre Of blood and carnage when
thousands of loyal and patriotic men will
sacrifice their lives to suppress re-
beIlion, that has no precedent in the an
nails of American History. And although
we have formidable foe to contend with,
one whose mode of warfare is only known
by the execution of their bloody deeds, |
apprehend no fears | believe there IS
enough loyalty and patriotism left to pre-
serve this Union. Our Government IS a
good one, and must be sustained. We
have all the requisite means to maintain It.
Then, 'let us strike until the last armed
foe expires" and victory shall DC our re-
ward. We are ss.siaii going through our
regular rcdntine of business, company and
battalion drill. Our drill ground is about
ehree quarters of milo from camp, near
Fort Corcoran. A strong fort mounted
with nine guns (CoIumbads of eight inch
calibre. They are usually called Bar cite
guns, being erected on platforms and are
fired over the parapet, thus having free
range in all outer directions. The fort is
felIed trees with their sharp branches pla-
ed outwoId and so interlaced as to present
an irregular row Of pointed stakes, towards
the enemy. The military name for this is
ALalis. Our Regiment is making great
proficiency in the military service and al
though we are young in the cause in COM
parison to some other regiments | am pre-
sumptious enough to say that to place US
on equal footing with the rebels we can
make them run like rats from burning
barn.
But our prospect for battle is not very
fattering atpresent. But you know these
are eyentfnl times and it is hard to tell
What tomorrow may bring forth. Moth
inc but tilne develop these momentuous re-
sujts-which must inevitably take place
before this war is terminated. We are
strongly fortified here having Fort Ram
sew on our right and Fort Tillinghast on
our left. They are mounted with eight
guns each, sizes from twelve to twenty-four
FOUNDERS and are all well garrisoned.-
Tho Sixth Wisconsin Regiment is encamp-
ed on our right and the Second on our left.
Those regiments above named and the
nineteenth Indiana regiment constitutes
Gen. Kings Brigade To-day we have our
general review between Baily's crossroads
and Musons Hill. The latter Of which
was formerly held by the rebels, with an in
ferior Notifications mounted WITH bassYood
cannons and several field pieces having a
strong resemblance to stoye-pipe. This
fort was taken by the federal troops the
latter part Of September without much
resistance ol the part Of the rebels. Their
guns it seems did not prove very effective,
Munson's Hill is strong point, and |
wonder why tie rebels did not secure it
for it is higher than any other point near
it, and commands the ground for a mile
around It. Now in regard to the grand
review which | must say language is made
quate to describe. Eight divisions were
reviewed as follows: Genl's Mccall, Me-
Dowell, Heizelman, Fitz John, Porter,
Franklin, Blenker, and Smith, comprising
ninety regiments Of infantry one hundred
and twenty-four pieces Of cannon making
twenty-one batteries, aud nine regiments
Of cavalry, forming an aggregate Of seventy
thousand troops. The largest armed
force ever assembled togetheri in the United
States. And it was q gland and magnii
cent sight. At twelve o'clock, Gen. Nc
Clellan and staff accompanied by the Pres
ident and Secretaries Seward and Cameron
made their appearance. Every person
was anxious to see the young Commander
and when he passed along loud cheers
went up for him. After this the troops
marched around on quite large piece 81
ground thus making circle and when
each regiment would march BY, Mcclellan
would salute them by taking ct his bat
At five o'clock the review closed and the
troops went off in masses to their camps
Our boys made their camp about seven
o'clock with keen appetites ready for Their
regular pork and beans, &c.
Yours until secession is cleaned out,
PoDUNK.