Litchfield enquirer., 1862-01-16
Camp Correspondence.

Company {, 5M Regiment c. Y.
 CAMP OF 9TH c. ", Near Hancock, Md December 22d, 1881. | DEAR FRIENDS :--On Tuesday morning, at o'clock, this Regiment had orders to cook ra tions for march, and at 3 o'clock we fell into rank for start. Our Colonel, thinking We had settled down for the winter, was at home on a furlough, and Lieutenant Colonel Chapman had command of the Regiment. After we had fallen in. the Lieutenant Colonel said that this Regi- ment had been selected from the Division for hoped the men would so consider it. and would act in such way as that he could be proud of them. We then started, and on Tuesday we marched fifteen miles toward Hagerstown. On Wednesday we marched fifteen miles further, passing through Hagarstown and Williamsport, and encamping about three miles from the latter place. The roads here are paved, and although the ground is frozen like rock, the stones are covered with dust, so that Wednesday was an awful day for us to march on the hard stones, with the piercing wiud blowing the dust into our faces and eyes. On Wednesday night, hen we stopped, our feet were all blistered, and We were covered with dust and very tired, 80 that the Lieutenant Colonel said we need not march on Thursday but at 5 o'clock on Thursday morn 1 ing we were called up and ordered to fall in quickly, with nothing bat our arms and ammu milton. We got ready as quickly as possible, when we were marched off at about double quick time. We understood that the rebels were tear ing down dam about fourteen miles up the riy- er We were marched this distance in about three hours and half. Ca the way we had to wade brook as large as that which runs through Leedsville, and pass over 3 portion of the Blue Ridge, with only road path to march in, and it was so cold that we had to brsak the ice on the edge of the brook before could wade it.
 After reaching the Potomac, which at this place is not near as wide as the Housatonic at West Cornwall, we found no rebels. We waited, expecting them-and at 2! o'clock we could hear firing up the river. 1 was out on a pass at the time, so I went up where the firing was. There found a Company of the 18th Massa. chusetts, lying behind large stone wall, firing at regiment of rebels in corn-held across the | river. 1 took one of the mems guns and fired five times. It was a pretty long range for the poor guns with which the Company was armed, but wounded two. It is strange thing to me, that the rebels have not shelled Williamsport be- fore this time. It would be just as easy for them to do it, as it would be for Sharon troops to place cannon at Blinn's tavern and shell West | Cornwall.
 1 Thursday night was an awful night for us. We had neither tents, knapsacks nor blankets, and nothing for the Regiment of 1000 men to eat, but two barrels of salt pork, taken frop a canal boat; and the suffering was intense E1d terrible The next day, we marched to Gear ESprings, where our teams met us ; and on Sat urdav, were allowed to lay in camp. But to day, i (Sunday,) We have marched to this place, It miles, where it is said we can rest day or two. To-day we stopped to rest, on hill and there saw one of the most beautiful sights l ever be. held. In the valley below, was the Potomac, gliding along silently between the hills on either side. It was the great dividing line between enemies As far as the eye could reach, on ei. ther side, could be seen the camps of both ar mics. On the Maryland side could be seen Ha. gerstown and Williamsport. and on the Virginia side, Winchester and Georgetown. l never saw panorama so beautiful.
 l On the march today, Q Marylander was caught selling whiskey to some of the boys. He was marched under guard, eight miles with the Regiment, when sergeant, who had been talk ing with the Lieutenant Colonel, tied his hands behind him, and placing him against tree, aimed his gun at him from proper distance. The man trembled like leaf and the sergeant told him he did not like to shoot him standing still, but would let him go, and shoot him on the run. The man started on dead run, with his hands tied behind him, and the sergeant fired a blank cartridge at him. The man fell down as the sergeant fired, and on going up to him, he was trembling and sweating all over; but the Lieutenant Colonel made us leave him, to get home as he could.
 While we were pitching tents Sunday night! it was showing fast, and before morning it had turned to hail, and it is now very slippery. ] undo.stand that VIC are to report from here by telegraph, to General Kelly of General Rose crans' Division. It is thought we shall cross the river and guard tbe Baltimore and Ohio o~ha' Road while it is being laid over, and if General Kelley wants us with him, we shall take the cars for Romney, Virginia. 5.