The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-09-27

municates to his paper, the Green Bay
Advocate, the following graphic account
of midnight march of Gen. Kings brig
ade:
CHAIN BRIDGE, Potomac River,
September 9th, 1861. {
"Thus far We have marched into the
bowels of the land )" that is, Dixie's land,
about which so much has been sung aud
played lately. GAS far as have got"
don't think much of such mountainous,
rocky, poverty stricken region. Perhaps,
though, it was the time and the way in
which we came which controlled first im>
pressions; and will tell you how it was
Tuesday evening last, the little telegraphic
instrument, which was located at head
quarters commenced clicking, and the OPP
orator, who reads by sound, announced
dispatch from Gen. McClellan-"Have
your Brigade ready to move at any mo-
ment." Messengers were dispatched to
each regiment in Gen. Kings command,
and the packing was effected and the men
under arms in thirty minutes. Next,
about ten o'clock at night, came another
message - "Proceed Immediately with
your Brigade to Chain Bridge, and report
to Gen. Smith for further orders. Take
knapsacks and forty rounds Of ammuni-
ton. Let the wagons follow with rations
in the morning"
1t was grand night. There was no
moon, but every star was out, and though
the day had been excessively hot, the air
was beginning to grow cool enough for
pleasant marching. The only drawback
was the dry state Of the roads, and there
being no wind, clouds Of dust arose and
at times half smothered the men. The
column formed with Col. Cobb's regiment,
the Wisconsin Fifth, on the right. Ii
marched out upon the road to the music
Of its splendid band, and as its last com
pany moved from the encampment, Col.
Cutters regiment, the Sixth Wisconsin,
filed in. Then followed Colonel O'Con-
nors Second Wisconsin. As we passed
down the road to where the Seventy ninth
New York (Highlanders) were encamped,
We found them drawn up in line, and Col.
Stevens Qate Gov. Stevens, Of Washing
ton Territory was addressing them. l
could not hear what was said, but it evi
dently was to the point, for the cheering
was like the roar of a battery. They fell
n on the left of the Second, ard then the
last regiment of the Brigade, Col. Mere
dith's Indianians, the Nineteenth, brought
ap the rear.
Where are We going? and what for
Not a soul in all that vast throng knew
not even the general. Chain Bridge had
sealed orders for us; and as there had
been rumors all day that large bodies of
the enemy had been seen in that vicinity,
our sudden movement there was signf-
cant one. Whether or not before the
dawn of the morning we should be in con
hict with the enemy, l doubt not each
man discussed silently with himself. There
was scarcely a word spoken; the bands
were not permitted to play after the march
f,fr lv nj hor
noise but the dull and heavy tramp of four
thousand men, and the occasional clatter
of the wheels of the provision wagons and
ambulances upon the loose stones along
the road. The Route led through George
town; and SO little noise was made, even
upon the pavement, that the sleeping citi
zens were not even disturbed. Occasion
ally window was suddenly raised, and
head or two thrust inquiringly out, but
nothing more, and we left the sleeping city
behind and marched out upon the road
which led along the Potomac. Upon the
right, close along the river, run what is
called Georgetown Heights, on the left
was the canal, then the river, and across
rose the steep and dark bluffs Of the Vir.
ginia shore. Distant lights upon Airing
ton showed where ouf friends were en-
camped, but above, along the river, not
sign of life or human presence was visible.
There was no friendly twinkle of farm
house windows, which so cheers the trav-
eler by night. and no sound, even of bay
ing watch dog. The black ban of seces.
sion has put all the inhabitants to fight,
and desolated that shore like pestilence.
We reached Chain Bridge about two
O'Clock in the morning. While the gen.
eral was looking for his orders, there was
halt of half an hour, and the men threw
themselves upon the ground to rest. The
guard on duty at the Bridge told us that
troops had been passing over all night, as
well as large numbers Of heavy guns. No
written orders could be found but ver-
L n