The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-03-26
Our Camp Letters
CAMP OF FlFTY-THRO REGlM'T At MANASSAS.
Manassas JtScrIoy, Va, March Il.

MANASSAS JUNCTION, Va, March Il.
Mr.. EDIroE Finding some secesh paper,
and "contraband" cantsen, on which bv Il
little engineering can manage TO write and
further, thinking there would be much anx-
iety at home on account Of those members Of
Go G. who have friends and relatives remain
ing in cold Potter thought to spend mo-
ment in writing you.
Of course you have long ago heard of the
advance On the Rebel stronghold, Manassas.
BGt in newspaper correspondence you will
scarcely find details which can afford your
readers any certain information as to the well
fare of eur own Fottce boys. Well, incie&iug
commissioned officers, we have fifty1four men
in the field not a man but stands the fatigue
well. notice in the New York papers ac-
counts Of our troops being in the intrench-
We may have had troops inside the line of
rebel Notifications on that day, but certainly
not very aear the stronghold at the junction
On Monday morning, all through the army of
the Potomac, the preparation for the advance
commenced \ little after day, the long
talked of, long expected advance commented.
Although 1t was raining and diSagrecable in
the extreme, yet the boys had an abundance
ofgooj spirits and never fora moment tagged
Owing to the rain which thoroughly mixed
up the nasty mud peculiar to the ''sacred soil,
Il -
forced march of about twenty miles we en-
camped for the night at an open place called
Birthstone Hill. This lies to the left Of and
little beyond Fairfax Station OF the Orange
and Alexandria Bailroad. Lying here until
noon Of Tuesday we again took up the line Of
march ard went as far as Sangster Station |
SIX miles distant You must know that to
make the distaBces whicy are here pct down,
we had to pursue very circuitous route
Lying here over night we comm tnced the /
march again about 8 O'Clock of Wednesday
arrivingat Bull Run in the afternoons
we passed inside the outer line of intrench-
ments and bivouace2 for the night in sight of
the rebel barraek which displayed themselves
to our delighted view for a distance OF miles
upon miles. Being somewhat short Of rstions /
a party of one hundred and seventy five from |
our Regiment went forward on forsging ex-
pedition. Being very successful in confsca- |!
ting eontraband property, they returned about
IL O'Clock at night, having penetrated some
three miles farther in the rebel lines. Among
the articles confscated TO our use were Beet, |
Hams, Flour, Rice, Beans, Sugar, Peanuts, &c. (
Some Of the boys captured some nice speci-
mems Of clothing, and some of them brought
in cards, Port Monies, sc.
Lying here until noon Of the following day
Thursday we marched to onr present posi-
iion; tie delay was occasioned by the nom
arrival of rations and of the artillery. On
our way yesterday wholesale destruction
presented itself to our view. At the junction
tents lie in piles, baggage every description
about here We found gun carriages.
bat no artilefy--s9me Of the wagons had I
been burned; much baggage TOO had been
destroyed, but the barracks remained, being
externally in frst-rate order, inslde however
there seems TO have been some little confu-
sion. We hare for the first time encamped {
inside barracks, having biSouaeed every night
heretofore Wish only the blue canopy of hea-
zen fer y shelter.
The Inhabitants hereabout represent that
the ''secesh" formerly chartered here did liz
tie or no WORK and very little drilIing-tbe
poor slave did the former the latter went en- !
done. Judging from the bottles stattered /
about, and the arrangement in CHARTERS which
arc really niee) whisky bibing has been the
chief employment. It would amuse you to
walk about here and take Tie- Of things J