Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-04
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE "JouRNAL" !"

CAxr PrERpoINr, Va, Nov. %, 1861.
DEAR Row While the telegraph and print
ing presses are heralding all over the land,
with lightning speed, the news of the day, per-
NIT your humble correspondent, through this
appointed medium, to transmit to you some OF
the few crude ideas, which soldiers are apt TO
form while performing their respective parts
In the great drama, which at the present time
is of such absorbing interest TO the people OF
the American Union.
Almost in every direction the cheering
news comes to US of the repeated engagements
of our troops with the enemy, and our trium-
phant success. 1t is trne that the enemy,
since this unholly and wicked rebellion has
assumed its present gigantic proportions, have
obtained some temporal advantages in the way
Of victories, at huge sacrifice. over our arms,
which have been more the results of numeri-
cal strength than either their superior military
prowess or the Righteousness OF their cause.
But while those who have the direction OF
affairs, pertaining exclusively to this war, have
suffered our troops to be drived back at differ
ent times, they have not been unmindful of
the interests involved or the strength of those
with whom it has to deal. But while we have
suffered some heavy losses thus far, the gov
ernment has turned them to valuable account.
1t has in the meantime increased its efforts,
and We are now enabled to see the stupendous
results of its labors in the accumulation and
organization of the largest army that ever
trod npon American soil.
When we take into consideration the short
ness Of the time that has intervened since tho
booming of cannon over Sumter's walls, which
awakened loyal people from their lethergy,
with the startling cry to arms! and warned
them that thore was fearful reality in the
threats tina. had often been repeated to destroy
the beautiful fabric of our Union-the diff
culties to be surmounted, and the present
high discipline of our troops-we might well
challenge the whole world to produce any
thing of the kind that would at all compare
with it..
And now, since the organization ofthe army
is complete, let us turn our attention to the
work to be accomplished. Hitherto the lead
ers OF the rebel forces seem to have been eiat-
ed with the success of their arms, and conse
quently theyibave become bold and infatuated,
in what they term the righteousness of their
cause, and surely, if we may judge anything
from the language of the message Of the in
CRATE and apostate Davis, in which he declares
to his people through the provisional Con
gress'' the 'sinvincibility of their arms, and
the justness OF their cause,'' we might well
despair and sshang our harps on the willows"
But whether their cause is right or wrong,
Davis intimatcs that SO far as Proridence re-
fuses to recognize their right to rebellion,
they must depend on their own resources, thus
making virtual confession of the utter help
schemes, adding as clincher that s.liberty is
won where there exists the unconquorable will
to be free, but forgetting altogether to en-
tighten them in regard to the triumphant sue
cess of the great expedition, aud merely al
ludes to it as the first great step to the incite
ment of servIle war, and acknowledges that
Yankeedom with its mudsills has stolen
march upon him.
The result OF the expedition has sent thrill
of exultant joy through the hearts OF our
troops that are encamped here, and doubt
not, that the news is equally gratifying to 10y
al men everywhere. The mere fact OF taking
two or three forts is not much IN itself, but is
of double Significance, because the blow has
fallen like thunderbolt upon that insignid-
cant State of South Carolina, which took the
lead in trampling our glorious ensign in the
dust. They may yet learn by dear experience,
that her offences are not to be passed lightly
by aud she may find when it is too late that
she has fearful account to answer.
Following close upon the report of this sig
nal victory, comes the gratifying intelligence
from the Eastern Shore of the sold DOmin-
ion" of the success of our arms and the sur
render of about two thousand of those who
are engaged in this unhallowed warfare against
the best government which the wisdom and
ingenuity Of man ever devised.
Now that we have a fcothoId upon the
sssacrsd soil'' of South Carolina, it is self-evi-
dent that the number OF troops now there are
insufficient to maintain, for any,length of time,
the positions they now occupy. Hence, 1t we
would follow up with alscrity the fortunes OF
our arms in that quarter, and commence Of
fenSive operations in the very heart OF the en-
emy'S strength, reinforcgments are absolute
ly necessary and speculation is now rife here,
where these reinforcements shall come from
The opinions are as various as they ire fire.
quent. Not few supposing that the Gre
nf Wi a 20
body. / say fortunate, because if such should
be the care, it will perhaps, give it an oppor-
| tunity of accomplishing something which will
be credit and glory to the Keystone State.
| 1t has TO day the enviable reputation of being
the most efficient corps in the army OF the Pc.
tomac. II we should be ordered south, be
lieve it would have fine effect upon our troops
who are beginning to grow tired Of remaining
| inactive Tor so long time.
The weather here is beginning to put on
rather wintry airs, and last night we had such
| plain demonstration OF the fact, as to leave
the ground covered with snow this morning
| Many of the troops are complaining of the
| cold-the statements Of the newspapers In
regard to the comfort of the men to the con-
| trary notwithstanding.
Last Wednesday was q day that will long be
remembered by those who participated in the
exercises of the Grand Review of the troops
at Bailey IS Cross Poads. Long before daylight
| the Reserve the move towards the
| place of review. About daylight our Battery
| got started, and after halting short distance
| from camp to let some regiments of infantry
and cavalry pass by, we struck the road to
Lewinsville. This place is about one mile and
a half from our position on Johnson's Hill
and it will be remembered that this was the
scene of sharp skirmish some two months
| ago. It contains church, store house and
tavern stand, with some half dozen dwelling
| houses in close proximity and bears, withalt
| at the present time very diIapidated appear
| ance Herr we whaeled ahrunfly O the lefi