The Portland daily press., 1862-12-01
Army correspondence
Letter from the Maine Seventeenth.
CAMP NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, VA,
November %. lS92

November "a, 1862,
DEAR PRESS: A month ago, / began a
letter at camp near Edwards Ferry, but so
many have been our marches and counter
marches, that it has not been finished, and it
has now grown too old to send. A sketch of
our movements since that time may not be un-
interesting. We were in camp near Edwards
Ferry from the 18th to the 2Sth of October
Our location there was not the most pleasant,
and the men grew sick rapidly while we re-
mained. The encampment was christened by
them Camp Desolation," partly, perhaps, be-
cause we were on short rations during most of
our stay there, as, indeed, we have been most
OF the time since we came into this brigade
owing partly, without doubt, to the habitual
drunkenness Of our brigade commissary
On the 2Sth of October, we forded the Po-
tomac at Whites Ford, just where Stuart's
Rebel Cavalry crossed on their return from
their raid into Pennsylvania. There are some
facts in relation to that affair that have never,
think, been made public. had them from
an eyewitness. and the correctness of the
statement may be relied upon. Gen. Stone
man was at Poolesville, about six miles from
Whites Ford, with considerable force of cav
airy, infantry, and artillery; quite sufficient to
cope with the rebel force in that quarter
Having Information that the rebels had been
turned northward by the advance of our brig
ade, and knowing that they would attempt to
cross at Whites Ford, or at another above the
mouth of the Monocacy, the General ordered
the Sd and 4th Maine regiments to make a
forced march to the latter point, in order to
prevent them from crossing at that place. A
New York regiment, the 10th l think, and a
Pennsylvania regiment the ninety-ninth, were
ordered to advance to Whites Ford, and hold
1t at all hazards. Stoneman, with several reg
iments Of different arms, remained at Pooles-
vile to prevent the enemy from retiring again
into the interior of Maryland. His intention
was to advance as soon as the rebels were
driven down the river by the force stationed at
the mouth of the Monocacy. They would
thus be caught, having a force in the rear, and
one on the left flank, with the unfordable river
in front. They first attempted the passage
near the mouth of the Monocacy, and for two
hours their artillery shelled the troops station
ed there, but without effect. They were driy-
en- down the river and Col. Walker command
ing the Maine troops, did not endeavor much
TO hasten the movement, hoping momentarily
to see Stoneman's advance appear upon the
heights behind Whites Ford. He was disap-
pointed. The troops stationed at the Ford re-
ceiyed shot or two from the enemy's artillery
and skedaddled, leaving the rebels clear pas
sage, of which they were not slow to avail
themselves. When the Maine troops reached
the Ford, the enemy had crossed and placed
his artillery upon hill on the Virginia shore.
About the same time Stoneman planted his ar
tillery upon the heights below Whites Ford,
and trained them tn bear upon the Maine
troops. He discovered his mistake before fir
ing, however, and, l think, fired an Intellectual
shot or two at the retreating rebels. You will
see that the whole rebel force might and ought
to have been captured-and would have been
but for the blindness and inefficiency of some
body and the cowardice of some others.
We crossed the Potomac on the afternoon of
the 2sth ult. The river at that point is one
fourth of a mile wide, about three feet deep,
and quite rapid. Our appearance can be bet
ter imagined than described, most of us hav-
ing dry pantaloons, drawers, boots, and stock
lngs to put on before climbing the Virginia
bank. We were encamped in the neighbor-
hood of Whites for few days, and here be-
gan our experience with shelter tents. indis
putably "lucus a non lucendo." Take two
stakes about four feet long, drive them into
the ground six feet apart, lay small pole on
the top from one to the other, take couple of
thin, coarse, "slazy" cotton sheets and button
them together at one edge, stretch them over
your pole, and you have a shelter tent" such
as is provided by the Government for two men.
Three generally "tent" together, taking the
third sheet for gable end. In warm, dry
weather they are pretty fair protection from
night dews, but they afford little shelter from
rain. They are all we have for line officers
or men In this regiment, and our rainy nights
are times of discomfort. To wake up and
ma ones feet, even, soaking in puddle or
pfook oil cold water, is not pleasant, even to
the most decided admirer of Pressneitz (?l or
Prlessnitz p A requisition has been made
for "A" tents for the officers, and the men will
probably be provided with the same before
long
From Whites Ford we marched 10 T. I,eesburo
Heights, about two miles from the town of