Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-02
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE "JouRNAL, ,,

g.
Wnen L last wrote to you, We were lying in
camp opposite Fredericksburg. On the 10th
marched miles down the Rappahannock
to point below the distractions in the river,
to be transpor Ted to the White House to rein
force Gen. Mcclellan. On the I1th, after get
ting our battery on board two small schooners,
We started on our journey, and at dark cast
anchor in front of Port Royal, little village
plea sanity located on the south bank of the
river. We were in tow of the little tug, Cit
san and made about 8 knots an hour. The
next morning by the break of day we were off
again, and at 10 O'Clock we passed rebel bat
terry which was no doubt intended to command
the river. A small schooner aud steam tug
were sunk close to the battery, but whether
from the effects of rebel shots, or not, am
not able to say. The town of Tappahannock
is situated short distance above the battery
and has a very pleasant appearance. We
passed into Chesapeake Bay at p. NJ, and
stood out about miles to get clear of the shoal
water and reached New Point Comfort at 8.
Y nder the impression that he was about to
enter the mouth of York river, our pilot
rounded to and ran in towards shore, but pres
emily we were warned by men on board, some
lighters, that W. were running into Mob Jack
Bay, and well nigh on Y York S, il, which | was
informed WAS low reef of rocks and shoals.
But for this timely warning we might have
been wrecked there before any one would
thought of danger. Being made aware Of his
danger, the pilot turned about and once more
stood out in the Bay, and when at safe DIS
tance we cast anchor and remained there for
the balance Of the night.
On the next morning, the 18th, we resumed
our voyage and after proceeding some or 10
miles further down, we bore towards land and
entered York river, passing Yorktown and
Gloucester point about 8. Here thi fortifca-
tions presented quite formidable appearance,
as they were especially intended to command
the entrance of the river. We passed West
Point at the junction of the Mettapeny and
Pamunkey rivers, and passed up the latter.
reaching our destination at p. m. | think
the Pamunkey is about the crookedest
river | ever saw. The West Branch of the
Snsqnehanna through the mountains, not be-
ing circumstance to it. There is much to
admire along both the Rappahannock and Pa
munkey, but | have not time ard space to
notice them now, AS in these war times their
interest is entirely lost in the more absorbing
topic of war.
After reaching the White House we found
everything wild with excitement, consequent
ly upon a forage of a party OF guerllas. who
fired into a train of cars killing one man and
wounding others, also the burning Of sloops,
4 miles up the river and killing part of the
crew. We commenced about IL O'Clock, at
double quick, to get our battery on shore as the
strength of the enemy was not known. and the
probability was that the guns might be need
I'd. Owing to our guns being detached from
the carriages, and the carriages and cassons
being taken to pieces in order to economise
space, there was no little delay in getting the
battery on shore and set up in proper order.
But by dilligent working till o clock in the
morning, we had everything belonging to the
Battery safely landed on terra frma, and set
up ready for action. After partaking of our
morning meal, We marched about } mile
down the river and encamped to rest both
horses and men. About 10 O'Clock we were
surprised to hear report that band of que
rillas were lurking in the woods contiguous
to the river, and in twinking our boys threw
the harness on the horses and quietly await
ed the result of reconnaissance then being
made by detachment of the 11th Pensylva-
MIA Cavalry. In short time they returned
without being able to find an, cause for alarm,
and in few minutes all was quiet in camp as
if nothing had transpired.
At IL O'Clock A. NJ, on the 14ih in obedi-
ence to orders we started towards Richmond,
and at p. m, we halted at Tunstalls station,
the scene OF the late attack on the running
train. While encamped here for the night,
had time to make a short reconnaissance of
the surrounding neighborhood, and found some
very good specimens of rebel vandalism.
The first was tho destruction of a suffers wag-
on and the loss of his horses, which fell into
| could get at the place, it is fair to infer,
that the sutter himself was brutaly murdered,
The next object that met my eyes was the
destruction of a train of u government wag-
ons, which were no doubt transporting forage
and commissary stores to the extreme left
wing of the army. There were many other
depredations committed which | have not
time to note. Enough has been noticed of
the iuhuman and barbarous cruelty practised
nv hnS in b,In to inf tiSfv ba
powers that be that lenient measures only
serve to increase the passions of these sknlk-
ing desperadoes, and it is high time to make
severe example out of every one that falls
into our hands.
On the morning of the 10TH we resumed
our march, and about p. m, we reached Dis
patch station. Nothing of interest transpired
along the road on this days march, if | may
except the condition of the roads, which were
bad in some places in the extreme. We re
mained at the station during the 18th, in or
der to have a review of our condition by (re-
port says) Gen. Mcclellan. He did not make
his appearance however, and on the 18th we
arrived at this place. Scarcely had we got
our tents struck, when we were ordered to
Mechanicsville, to support the pickets with
artillery, should the rebels on the opposite
side of the river make any hostile demonstra-
tions upon them. We bivouacked for the night
about a mile west of the village, and to be
ready for any emergency. Our horses were
harnessed at 2 O'Clock, and at six a. M, of
the 10Th, we took up position on an emincnce
commanding the road leading across the river
at meadow Bridge, and about L ] miles from
the enemy's Notifications, aud J a mile from
their pickets at the river. We remained
there during the Goth till about II O'Clock
and then returned 20 this place, where we are
now encamped. There was very heavy can
onading across the river opposite our camp,
said to be the enemy trying to prevent our
boys from bridge building have heard of
no harm done to our boys by the rebel firing,