Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-04-02
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP NEAR ALEXANDRIA, March q


you for some time, SO thought l
would give you a few items concern
ing the Reserve Corps, as | have not
seen anything ia relation 10 it in the
Journal (Which arrives as regular as
the jrregularity of the mails permi)
tor some time past.
You are aware that the great army
of the Potomac is in motion, and that
it has achieved an important, yet
blOodless victory IN the possession of
the boasted strongholds of the enc
my at CeDtreviile and Manassas. The
The Reserve does not share any of
the honors of hat achievement, tho
1t was not inactive, and was ever rea-
dy 10 take part in any engagement
which might have occurred, had not
the rebels deemed it prudent to make
a precipitaie and hasty flight from
the Wanted .sGibraiter of SeccsSia.'
On the morning OF tie 10th, SIM
ultaneously with the Divisions of
Gens.Smith, M'Dowel, Blenker, Por-
ter, and others. we started-the lat
ter divisions towards Centreyille, and
the Reserve towards Drainsville. We
proceeded as far as Spring Vale, 10
miles from camp, where we turned
abruptly TO the left and marched by
very muddy and unfrequented road
TO Hunters Mills. Here we came to
a halt at 9 p. M, distant from the
camp Is miles, 10y the route we came
which we accomplished in hours.
1t was a beautiful night, and the tir-
ed and weary soldiers-weary from
not being accustomed to marching
for some time-who were fortunate
enough 10 keep up with their c0mpl-
ies-bivouacked in the open air, and
were soon in the land of dreams. 1t
was late in the night before those who
Jagged behind, and the supply trains,
were enabled To join the Division.
Next morning we made prepara-
tions for an early start, but did not
move on account of the announce
ment at head quarters that our flag
was floating in triumph over Centre
vile and Manassas. We remained at
Hunters until the evening of the l4th
when we were again ordered 20 march,
Gas was generally supposed by the
men) to Alexandria We made about
miles back TO the Alexandria and
Leesburg turnpike, but finding that
the rebels had destroyed the bridges,
1t was rendered necessary to travel
by some other route, and as we could
not proceed in the dark without diff
ficulty, We encamped for the night
amidst a smart shower of rain. In
the morning, having ra,ned most of
the uight. we again set out and few
IN les travel brought us once more to
th,- road leading from Drainsviile to
Camp Pierpont, (which we followed TO
within 4 miles OF our old camping
ground Here we bore off to the
right, along narrow muddy road,
the travelling not being iesseued by
the rain that fell continually during
the day. As We re approached the
Alexandria pike, the increased rain
| perfectly deluged the road. Our guns
and wagons sunk to the aXles in the
mud, and the infantry plodded their
weary way through the miry clay,
| which was betimes knee deep. Right
| glad were all when we again set feet
on the turnpike, We eucamped for
| the night within five miles of Falls
| Church in heavy rain, and with diff
! ficulty started fires. The next morn
ing at we prepared to march, but
respite was granted us until II, our
time for reaching our destination hav-
ing already expired. At 5 p. m. we
reached this place. We expected to
move from here immed lately, but
| for some unavoidable eli cumstancew
are here yet, but expect to be off in
two days no@. | am not prepared TO
! say where our destination will be, but
! | am certain we will he shipped to
some point further south. Energet-
| ic action is TO ho the watch word OF
the sons of freedom, TO be re echoed
| back and forth, until this wicked re-
bellion is crushed out. In this, the
| gallant sons of the old Key stone, are
ready and willing to bear conspicu-
| Gus part; and | trust, that her citi-
| Zens will have no cause TO complain
of the confidence they have placed
| in her brave soldiers. w. r. B.