Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-27
From the 2Ist Regiment.

From the 2Ist Regiment.
KELLEY's FORD, RAPPAHANNoCK RIVER, !
August 20, 1862.
On the evening of August I'd, the rcgi-
ments of our brigade under Gen. Burnside,
embarked from Newbern upon their trans
ports, and moved away to another new and
unknown field of operations. All day Sun
day, the third, we were sailing up the Poto-
mac, and on Monday morning landed at
Aqua Creek. Here taking the cars we soon
reached Fredericksburg, and encamped on the
eminence on the north side of the Rappahan-
mock, twelve miles from the city. In this
| place we remained five or six days.
On the day of the battle of Cedar Noun
tain we could distinctly hear the roar of the
cannon, although distance of forty miles in
tervened The Tuesday following, (Aug. 12.)
the welcome order was received to prepare
three days rations and move at once. At
five o'clock the same day. we took up the line
of march, Gen. Reno's division only, consist
ing of the Dist Massachusetts, 5lst New
York, 5lst Pennsylvania, 4Sth Pennsylvania,
I'd Maryland, and 9th New Hampshire, with
two batteries. The next day we were follow
ed by other troops, amongst them the 2Sth
Massachusetts. Gen. Burnside with Gen.
Parks division remained at Fredericksburg.
We continued our march through that night
and the next day, passing through the villages
of Hartford and Falmouth. We camped the
g pao,,,..lIa
ton on the Alexander and Richmond railroad.
Right well did we enjoy the slumbers of that
night, after a bounteous supper Of goose,
chicken and mutton. One could desire no
better fare, or ask for a better bed upon which
to repose the weary body, than the wheat
shocks which were given us. The next morn
ing, early, we resumed our line of march,
passing by Beanville, Brandy and Rappahan-
mock station Here we forded the river, and
soon entered the valley Of the beautiful
Shennandoah. We passed some very fine
farms along our route here, many Of which
were deserted, and the houses had been used
| as barracks for both armies. Most OF the
country is exhausted of poultry, swine, &C.,
| only now and then stray one being found.
Corn and wheat in some places in large quaint
tiles is to be seen, but how much will be gar
ncred is very doubtful.
On the afternoon of the l4th, we reached
Culpepper Court House, and in the fields on
the right of the railroad bivouacked for the
night. 1 improved the few hours that we re-
manned in Culpepper, in visiting the hospitals.
Every church, hotel, hall, and many houses
and stores are used for the purpose. In one
of the buildings l saw wounded rebel who
fought us at the battle of Newbern, at which
place his colonel (Avery) was taken prisoner
by our boys. l also found one who was
wounded in the side, of the 9TH Louisiana reg
iment, of Irish decent who had once lived in
Worcester, and seemed well acquainted with
places and streets in and around our city.
On Saturday the 10th, with Gen. Stevens,
division we proceeded to the base of Slaugh-
ter mountain near Raccoon ford, occupying
the extreme left of Cen Pope's army. All
the regiments of this grand army of Virginia
were moved up and formed in eschelon line
OF battle, and there encamped Sunday af-
ternoon, receiving a pass to visit some of the
neighboring camps, | visited the battle field
of Slaughter Mountain. The battle ground
extended over Il tract of country of about
four miles in length and one in width. The
numbers of horses that lay in heaps upon the
ground told plainly where the batteries were
placed, and the mounds or graves of the men
told how strong the battle had waged
We remained at this place through Sunday,
feeling strong enough to cope with Jackson
and his forces, but Monday afternoon, Gems.
Pope and Mcdowell were seen galloping to-
ward Gen. Reno's headquarters. As soon as
they were gone orders were again received in
camp to take three days ratons, burn what
we could not transport, and march toward
the Rappahannock. Culpepper Court House
is now evacuated by us, and probably Jack
son occupies it. The army of Virginia now
rests on the north side of the RappahannoclS
river. The rebels seem to have followed,
and their piclSets are visible upon the other
side. This forenoon one of our cavalry pick
cts was killed, five balls having penetrated his
body An occasional shot has been exchang-
ed during the day. The next encounter will
probably be near the banks of this river, and
is expected every day. The rebels before
our retreat to this place were planting their
batteries directly in front Of our division, on
the mountains; this, with the large rein
forcements from Richmond that were arriving
for jackson, was no doubt the cause Of our
retrograde movement. We hear that Burn
side and Mcclellan will soon be here with
their forces, when we shall take another turn
ahead.
Letters to the 2lst Massachusetts, directed
via Washington, will no doubt be received by
many with gladncss. ans
HAMPERS MAGAZINE for September is for
i. l. y 4 n