The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-10-03
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
In CAM, NEAR FAIRFAX SEMINARY, Va,

INCAsP, NEAR FAIRFAX SEMINARY, Va,
Sunday evening, September 2l, 1862.
MIR. MEYERS:
There is number of the mountain boys
of Bedford county, who, for the past year have
been residents in the camps of Mars, from whom
their friends at home but seldom receive tidings,
except through occasional private letters, and
who, perhaps, are not unworthy a passing no-
tice iii the columns OF your paper Various
have been the inquiries made by fathers and
mothers as well as other friends, interested in
the welfare of their sons and former companions.
1t is now about one year ago, that, led by their
gallant Lieutenant, w. W. Anderson, of Bed
ford borough, they left their homes and those
they loved to engage in the service of their coun-
try. Remaining at Camp Curtin short time,
they were ordered to Philadelphia, and attach
ed to the second Cavalry Regiment, p. ", Col.
Price commanding The regiment did not re-
ccive its full quota of horses until it arrived in
Washington City. Being ordered into Virginia
they were encamped few weeks near Clouds
Mills, below Alexandria. Since leaving there
we have not been idle, but have encountered all
the arduous duties and hardships of the cavalry
soldier. Attached to Gen. Buford's cavalry
brigade, we accompanied it in the advance of
Gen Pope's army in his recent bold but unsuc-
cessful movement toward Richmond, enduring
our share of the hardships, we were the first to
tread the banks of the Rapidan, from whence
we were driven back to the main body OF the
army. With the army during the recent bat
ties on the Rappahannock, Bulls Run, &c, and
its retreat, of which enough has already been
written, a short time since we found ourselves
once more on the banks of the Potomac. Tho
not permitted to participate iii the recent battles
in Maryland, when we expected our homes to
be invaded yet our hearts and sympathies were
with our brothers in arms. After resting our
horses week or two at this place, on Wednes-
day last we were again ordered to prepare for &
two days march, and towards evening the bu-
giles uealed forth to us the then welcome sound
Of ''Boots and Saddcs!" The regiment, lessen
ed by hospital inmates, paroled prisoners and
want of horses lost recently, were soon In line.
Company E. commanded by our Lieut.. Ander-
son, was represented by tairty-two men, rank
and file. Marching but a short distance, we
fastened our horses to the bushes along the road
side, made our simple and rude beds in the SAM
dy highway in rear of our horses, our saddles,
as usual, serving for pillow, we retired for the
night. BY dawn we were again in the saddle,
and penetrated the country to within three miles
OF Thoroughtare Gap. Here we came upon a
detachment of the rebel Gen Ewel's body guard,
three of whom we captured. They were es-
corting Gen. Ewell, who was wounded in the
recent battle, to Richmond. A number of wag-
ons, and thirty prisoners were taken, among
whom were several rebel officers, three of them
being members of Ewes staff. The distance
traversed was eighty miles; all of which was
accomplished in eighteen hours, we returning to
camp on Friday afternoon. We rode all night
and saw no signs of the enemy between Airing
ton and Thoroughfare Gap, except those spoken
of above. We came near taking Gen. Ewell
himself; he only escaped by being driven off at
a rapid rate in an ambulance. Company E had
the honor of capturing Eebel Maor ys On? fa hea a
well except Perry Hite >and Andrew Frederick,
who are in a Washington hospital. Mr.. Tho's
Richardson, who resides near Bedford, is in his
glory here. An old soldier, he knows how to
forage, and has been the cause of the rebel far
mers losing considerable horse flesh, poultry, &C.
In the raid last week he was fortunate enough
to capture carriage, having two mules attach
ell to it, and two or three prisoners. He says,
"iorses are cheap in Virginny, humph! we
might as well have them as the Grey backs,
humph' He is a terror to farmers who have
horse stables, chicken roosts OF, ,spring-houses.
Lieut.. Anderson, in all his intercourse with us,
has proven himself courteous gentleman, kind
to all and ever anxious for our welfare. Lieut.. |
Col. Brlnton is now in command of the regi- |
ment. There is rumor that we will soon move |
again. There are many of the soldiers weary |
of this war, and wish it was ended Many in |
and out OF the army still think that the war can
only be terminated by an entire emancipation of
the negroes. If | thought that that was the |
object, would not willingly shed drop of my
blood or draw my sabre, for / think the slave |
is better off where he is, unless he can be sent |
to the land of his fathers If the South choose |
to ride to hell on the back of their negroes, let
them rip, it matters not to us. But possessing
but the rude pen and rough hand of a amountain |
farmer, perhaps | have no right to meddle with
politics or write for newspaper. Hoping that
all are well in and around our homes. and wish
ing all the Bedford boys now in the army safe
and speedy return to their homes and the arms
of the fair ladies they love- but left behind them,
(sorry have none) Iremoin yours, &C.,
BEDFORD BOROUGH.
e~-Ne's"----.-
Abolition Proclamation by the President.
WASHINGTON, Sept. %.
f.y tie President Of the United States of America.
PROcI AVIATION