The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-02-07
CAM FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA, |
Jan. %, 1862.

Jan. 25, 1862. {
DEAR SIR: Thinking that few words II
regard to the situation Of the army of the Pc
tomac, and also of the prospect of an early
engagement between the Union and rebe
armies, might not prove uninicrcsting t.
your many readers, especially, rs many oil
them have loved friends and acquaintance,
here in the grand army of the Union, | make
bold tosend you Us much information in re-
gard to the topography of tho country and
general state Of Affairs us will be judicious or
proper.
The stronghold Of the rebels here in Vlr-
gnia, as your readers doubles, already know,
in that port Of the country In Southeastern
Virginia lying between Bull Run IA small
strcim or run which cmpties into the Deco.
auan riyer) and the junction of the Orange &
Alexandria and Manassas Railroads. lis
about 90 miles from Alexandria in western
direction, and was tho battle ground upon
which the memorable engagement Of the Dist
of last July occurred. need hardly say that
1t is we'll chosen and exceedingly strong
military situation, as q glance ut the topo-
graphy of the surrounding country will show.
The country on the Western side Of the run,
upon which most of the rebel batteries are,
is high and covered with the trees that have
been felled to obstruct and barricnde the APP
proachcs. Upon the other side the country
Is much lower and difficult to move over, and
is completely commanded for miles by the
rebel batteries. In the rear Of the batteries,
which command the run, the country is also
hllly and woody and from appearances very
strongly fortified. How many men they
have ut this strong position il not definitely
known, but IL is undoubtedly very large
number. Tho Manassas Railroad is only
about three miles from this strongly fortified
situation and connects with Richmond, which
is only few hours ride. this giving them an
excellent opportunity of obtaining reinforce
nents and supplies without much delay. At
present the connection bet wcen Manassas aud
Richmond and between the latter place and
the interior of the 30 called confcderacy is
unobstructed. As long us it remains so you
need haye.no hopes OF the grand army of the
Potomac charging on their entrenched posi-.
ton at Manassas.
Norfolk is only fifty miles from Richmond,
which is accessible from that point by land
or water. Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee
are only about two hundred miles: the former
in Western and the latter in Southwest
ern direction. The road through North
Carolina is Just at present, tho only real un-
INSTRUCTED one from Richmond to tho interior.
Your readers can draw their own conclusions
from the above facts and perhaps sec the
object of some movements that are now and
are about being made.
OF the position of our army OF the Poto-
mac am not at liberty to say much, only
that each portion is gradually taking its
allotted place, and by the time the other
conditions are right you may expect to hear
of the clashing OF arms and the rad havocks
of war again on the soil Of tho "Old Domin.
ion," God defend the right.
All around tho different portions OF the
federal army arc moving snd taking their
allotted places, but amid all OF this shifting
and chan ing tho grand army Of the Poto.
mac seems quietly resting-dontbc alarmed,
though. for negligent or Idle as It seems to
be, IL is rs surely and steadily doing its own
great part. and when the time comes you may
judge OF its strength and power. 1t is not
yet.
Now having explained the situation Of tho
rebel stronghold, will devote few moments
in describing the roads from our lines to that
place. At Fairfax Court House the rebels
have few earth works, but no guns mounted,
but from there to Centreyille, on the turnpike
road, il is thought that they have few small
batteries. As Centrcvillc prcscnts an excel.
lent opportunity for dcicnSc, It is'supposed
that they will dispute with our forces for its
possession. From that point to their strong:
hold our army will probably meet with no
little opposition. The entire country is billy
and woody, and can be made most danger
Gus ono. When the roads are in good con-
dition il would take our forces u day OF more
to reach Centrevillc, surprising they met
with no obstacles. AS the roads arc now 1t
would be almost impossible to reach there at
all, us 1t has rained almost every day since the
new year came in, and tho mud is up to the
knees, almost. Of the men. ---'.....- -.
This letter is much longer than intended,
ind will draw il to close, after informing
the many kind friends Of our company and
regiment, that VIC arc getting along finely
and are us comfortably situated as we have
any right to expect Thanks to Col. jackson
the 9Th Maine regiment J, now second to
none in drill and looks. Hoping that before
many months this unhappy strife will BIO at
an end, and our country again united as the
retreat OF the oppressed, and homo Of the
free. am, Respectfully yours, .n'
.-l i GEo. w. MORRISON,
Co. b. 9Th Maine Regiment.