The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-12-11
OUR ARMY CoRREsPONDRNCE.
HANCOCK. Md, Dec. Sd, 1861.

/
HANCOCK Md, Dec. Sd, 1861.
A look at the Heavens on clear night
assures me that the North Star still retains
its position, but the non-arrival OF the 'Siar
OF The Norihn causes me to wonder il il still
retains iis position in the literary galaxy =
This letter, therefore, is sent on Uoydge Of
discovery.
Doubtless you are surprised al onr being !
here. Many more were the morning atier
our arrival. But let m explain: On Tues |
day of last week number of the men were
anxious to have street drill in William
sport, Maryland, which is near our Camp.
While making preparations for il, Act. Brig.
Gen Leonard sent for me and informed me
that there had been some fighting in this
vicinity, and that he wished me TO take a
detachment OF artillery 10 this place. With
out saying a word 10 the boys as 10 our des-
tinalion, we started on our "sireei drl'
which extended some tWenty SeUen miles =
We only stopped once 10 give the horses
bite of iced This place was reached at
midnight. About two thirds OF the inhabi-
| tants are Secessionists, hence they were as
much surprised as their friends across the
river TO a couple OF curious carriages
closely screened by tarpaulins. The Iebels
on the bluffs opposite were evidently Curl
/ Gus, nay, anxious 10 see The strange bird,
| and lined the hills in all directions in their
eaoerness. Hope deferred makeih the
! hearl sick ~ and so | concluded 10 exhibit
! the strange animal. Lest the sight oil its
beautiful plumage should dazzle their eyes
and cause sudden dismay, ii was masked
aud well fed with strange combination OF
/ gun. powder, iron, and bullets. IL speaks,
and proves itself that curious animal
| Parroi But watch the effect: Over one
mile flies that iron and lead, and bright
light and sudden explosion among a group
| of men show that it was we'll aimed. Men
are seen 10 fall horses are seen TO fall -
Men are seen 10 run horses are seen 10
run, but strangely enough. are riderless. -
How tbs cheers ascend from our little band2
The Parrot speaks again with like effect.
Five times it gives uent 10 lis impulses, aud
not a man is seen. Many were wounded
by fragments OF shell, and six mer and iour
horses were killed.
The seceSh in Town looked aghasi a. "the
small pop gun as they termed IT,, aL6
were much astonished to learn that il would
do execution al a distance OF over ioUr miles.
| had a litlle revenge on them to day. Ia
drilling through the streets, whenever !
came opposite a secession family | would
fire bank cartridge Crash wcud 90 the
window panes-which, while music 10 our
ears, caused the women 10 scream and the
( men 10 think of the uncertainty OF lite and
rurled up Their pretty pug noses al the SOL
ders, came out and SAID, Won't you please
not Ere again 2" Then we would drive on
10 the ner, house.
Hancock is The narrowest point IN Mary
lands crooked neck. Secesh has got SO
around this point, that il almost strangied
, the State. Ii is only one mile from Virginia
to Pennsylvania. From here can see into
three States and five counties The Balu
more & Ohio r. r runs along the opposite
side of the river, while the canal runs along
: this side. We are enjoying ourselves huge
ly, having taken possession OF house anc
stable | feed the horses their hay and oats
and the animals relish it, burn their wood
' eat their turkeys, sleep on their leather beds
i make love TO their preGy girls, and MAXI
myself at home generally. IL is much bette
! than shivering in a cherries, warmiess
4 bedIess womanless tent this cold weather.
We have to be very strict about passe
aud contraband OF war. "Sall is good" argu
: the bTineless Virginians, aud hence they be
cGme indignant because The crUsfy SadS her
, refuse them that necessary. We send then
pepper enough lew days ago lady cam
across, and begged hard tor small poriio
d of salt. Tears (without brine) finally pre-
e vailed, and we told her she might go u
- stairs and ill her pockets We took her bac
, 10 the "Motner Of STATES" and when al
- safe distance she disclosed to our wonde
:" view about ore half bushel Of salt hid an III
g lining OF her dress. We bade her hast
-e good bye eager to get out of that pickle.
- On Saturday last there was some hghtin
:. al Sir Johns Run, eight miles west OF her
'e rode up bur could only see what the re
r did One of our men was wounded az
n some OF theirs killed. They have son
~ splendid guns and expert marksmen | vi
up again to-day, and for variely's sake Toc
VI back on The tow path. II was perle
rs gauntlet of bullets. HEy person would dOd.
l. 10 h Ear bulle, whistle past his ears, al
.d 90 ''pa." against the rocks. ! made Il
horse swim the Canal once. Quite a nun
u ber Of ladies' waved their haudkerche
10 (maybe they were dish. cloths) as J ro
nd along AS the river, in places: is not wild
ic than Fishingcreek at Bloomsbury, | cou
hold conversation in an easy tone. T.
rebels they said, were being constantly T
enforced. Their pickels followed over ii
n they expected five thousand more meE a
,al five pieces of artillery. When we car
here our force was only 20 infantry and /
u' cavalry. Theirs was 1000. We have be-
I'd reinforced by 400 men, and they have
,or ceived an additional of 500. Our advanc
m. pickets join on 10 Gen. ke!iy's.
The woman of the house wants the X
q 10 the -four room, and as ! must go along
= keep matters straight must close.
ARTILLERsT
ph Letter from one Of our Volunteers.
n