Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1862-08-13
LETTER FROM THE ARMY.
HiRRIsoNs LANDING, Va,
July %, 1862.

HNhhlSONS LANDING A.,
July %, 1862,
Dcor Ncpha0; 1 received yours Of the
9th to day, and ., but ! was glad to read
nleiter from you.lt found me just middling
WELL but hope this short line may find
you all enjoying the best of health. You
have no idea how glad it makes soldier
- get news from home. am clad
chat you received the letter that had the
money. lost :ny revolver. for which |
paid Sl5, in the battle in front of Rich
mond. There We're two Captains of the
Fifth regiment paroled a few days sir,c.
They say that company K, is all safe in
Mchmond-that they were surrounded
and hid themselves, and had no way of
escape for three days-so hunger compel
led them to come out and give up to the
rebels. ! think this is true, and that the
boys are all safe.
Well, have seen rs much Of var as
want to sec. II the account Of company
X, is true it is fine thing they were cap.
tured, otherwise the most of tTlam would
have been killed VIM. lIaney and
we're all Of company X that escaped from
pickct duty, together with two drummers
Of company d, and thee pioneers. ! WIS
on foot ia front Of the rebels camp when
the Adjutant Of the 5th regiment came
along. | was stewing some green apples.
Says he, boys, rally for MechanicsYllc" "
| tuTnC0 out my stew and cut stick. -
Three companies Gf rebels made their ap~
pcarance up the Virginia Central railIoad.
Soon after that the battle commenced. .-
The rebels came 10y thousands. The roar
. . ,1.
over the enemy followed us and shelled
us with guns that did not mako any Ie-
purt the shells came into our camp, but
Il few shots from the gunboats routed
them. We then sent n force out and sur
rounded them and captured four guns and
all prisoners and drove them away back
towards Richmond. Two Divisions of
fresh troops could have taken the whole
OF tie rebel army at this time But Won
know Mcclellan wanted more troops but
,.r. not get them. so he done well ac>
ru.ung to the chance he had. The worst
wts, We had to leave our sick and wound
cj at Savage Station. saw two acres
covered with the wounded, and the Sur
gc0us busy cutting off legs and arms
Many poor fellow died who might have
been saved. VIM. lIaney was killed at
Gaines Hill. There are eight of company
herc-Robert McCracken, T. Lemon, d.
i. Williams, nos Bloom, NJ. S. Dunn,
VIM, Addlcman, A. Sanders and myself
=
ran some narrow chances. for my life,
you wish me home. Well, | want home
bad enough, The time is uncertain, tho. ,
expect to get home some time. When
do will stay. II takes a stout man to
stand the iatigues Of war. The Cleartie!d
boys have been used up in all cases. Four
of tho Woods boys of Chest Creek were
killed at the battle OF Fair oaks. | saw
David Fisher. lie came to sec me the
day before the battle. lie is in the Sth
Illinois cavalry. Those who call MCClel-
Ian coward are liars. Why don't ssme
of the Abolitionists come out and fight ?
il they had given more men, Richmond
would now be ours. But as il was if we
had not retreated under the cover Of the
gunboats the whole army would have been
captured, Gen. Mcclellan done his work
nobly. McCall's Division fought three
days.
Tell me who talks about commanders
on the Potomac. Tell them now that
300 600 more men are called for they must
come and assist us to put down the rebel.
lion, and not keep us fighting until there
are none of Us lei: and not TO Law around
and hlaCkguard the commander, who
wants to snye his men and 70 on: tell
them to turn out and help us through
that we may soon enjoy homo life
When they live on what | have for
better than year, they will know what il
is to bea soldier. have sat down beside
dead horse, and eat my hard crackers
and drank my coffee, and have picked up
crackers out of the mud and eat them,
and was glad to get them. never knew
what it was to be hungry until | came to
the army. wish they would draft and
draft those Abolitionists, and let them see
what war is, and what"rushing on" means.
am glad the people use my little boy
so wcll, thank them for their kindness,
and their good wishes for me highly ap>
prociate. hope this unhappy war will
soon be over. Fit is my lot to die here
can die as happy as thousands of Others
nave done in this unhappy war. ] must
close for this time, and hope to hear from
yoG soon again. My best respects and
well wishes to all
SOLDIER OF TIRE PoToMAc.
A- Read the paper attenlivelv.