Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-30
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE "JoURNAL' >
CAMP NEAR HARRIsoNs LANDING. Va, I
Lin Io,h 1870


absorbed by the deductions which you, and
your readers, have already drawn from the the
scores OF published accounts. Many of those
accounts however. | am sorry TO say, do
gross injustice to portions of our men, while
others, who have more regard for truth and
who do not make such heavy drafts upon the
Imagination, seek to do Justice as far as
they go, but the exact truth will never be
known until it is divulged through the proper
channel from official sources. However, |
concluded that it would not be inappro-
pirate to communicate, ut this time some
incidents. which in a local point of view, may
be of some interest to your readers, though
they may not be entirely new to many OF them.
| shall also endeavor to give you some gener-
al ideas of the feeling and opinions OF the
men, SO far as my observation extends, in re-
gard to the seven days fighting and the deduc-
tions drawn therefrom.
Frum all the trying scenes, of this series of
battles, the Penp'a Reserve corps has emerg-
ed, thInned in numbers, but covered with
glory, and calling down the encomiumS of
impartial observers who witnessed their un-
tlinching bravery, from beginning TO end. At
times. when borne down by an immense pre-
pondcrancc o. numbers, they were compelled
to temporarily fall back, bu in turn they as
quickly rallied and hurled buck the bristing
tide OF their adyersaries with terrible slaught-
er. Its brave ana efficient commander, who
was ever present in the thickeSt of the fight,
has won for himself immortal honors. His
unassuming manners and unexampled cool
ness, as it were in the very jaws of death, had
endeared him to the command which, under
his management, had become proficient in
all those attributes which go to make up the
perfection of the American soldier. His tenn
porary loss at this time, with other brave and
accomplished officers, has left void in the
hearts of their followers which will be difficult
to fill. But, while their commanding talents
|
and respect, we should not forget those of the
line who are equally deserving of honorable
mention. Their deeds of valor too, entitle
their names TO be inscribed high up in the
roll of achievements in the work of crushing
out this rebellion and in reestabliShing the
supremacy of the constitution and the laws.
While there are 50 many of this class equally
deserving, it would seem invidous to particu
arize, but | cannot refrain from adding my
humble teStimoney to the bravery of some Of
those with whom / have been associated
Yet, there others in whose welfare L feel
| local pride, and whose GOODNESS ana intrepidity
entitle them TO the special admiration of
many of your readers.
In the death of Capt. Ii. Easton of Battery
A 1st Penn'a artillery have lost brave
commander and true Patriot. When over
powered by the force of numbers on the event
ful Friday which terminated his eXiStance-
when those around him were falling back, and
of the day could be saved-he summoned
to surrender, but he scorned the summons
and replied with characteristic bravery, s'Ncv-
er ~ and moment after he was shot through
the heart. His little band however, contn-
ued to fight on, but were soon overpowercd
and forced to retreat. Sergeant Reece otClear
field county was taken prisoners-but through
the negligence Of the guard and influence of
bad whiskey he managed to slip through
their fingers and escape. Captains Smith and
Larimer not satisfied with merely leading
their respective commands To battle, demon
strated, practically their heart felt interest in
the cause by fighting all day with their rifles.
Many instances of personal heroiSm might be
noticed but have not time and space for them.
The men are in good spirits and ready and
willing again for the fight, when the proper
time arrives for our gallant chief to give the
word. Ia him they have the fullest conf
dence and believe that he is fully able to per-
form all he promised them in his 4th of July
addl ess. The soldiers do not think they were
defeated as some miserable alarmists wonld
fain have the masses believe. Far from it.
But, the other hand they believe and know
that Oh every successive field they vic
torious. They also believe, that every spot on
which battle was fought, was chosen in ad
vance, aud by the most skilful Generalship
the enemy was led to that spot and whipped,
and held there till such time as Mcclellan
had his trains at a safe distances and then
were they again permitted to advance upon
our columns, only to sacrifice their lives TO
the unerring fire of our veteran soldiery.
There seems now to be an almost magnani-
nous fee ling, that the plan of the campaign
should be somewhat changed. There is a
universal murmur among our soldiers in ref
erence to the Government being SO chary of
the property of rebels. But it seems as If
the Government was influenced to look upon
their property as something to sacred to be
molested even by those who are pouring out
their life's blood to put down this unhoy re-
bellion. The idea that our men must stand
guard for the protection OF rebel property
while they themselves are in arms for the de-
struction of the very principles for which we
are fighting, is simply ridiculous. They have
shown by their treason that they have forfeit
ed right to protection, and, Instead of pro-
tecting their property, we should take advan-
tage of every means in our power to strength
en- our cause at the expense of the traitors.
If the Government would crush out this re-
bellion, and do it speedily, it must employ
all the means at its command, and we are
glad to know that the future is Frightening.
Already we beginning to witness the con-
centration of public opinion, upon this vital
point in the management of this war. The
healthy opinions of Fessenden, Wilkinson.
Sherman, and host of others, find hearty
reponse among the soldiers of this army.
Our men would hail with gladness the mo-
ment, when their duty in the trenches could
be relieved by the thousands of unemployed
negroes now within our lines, who would be
eager to demonstrate their loyalty to the
Government, and their repugnance to traitors,
by their willingness to accept the offer as
soon as it would be rendered them. Let
| those who are opposed to this plan, from
! tenderness to meddle with the sacred article,