Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-01-01
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. "a, 1861.

IIniop and to crush out the unrghteous re-
belon that has raised its head so high pro-
i pose to give you, and through your paper the
good people at home, an account of visit
made to the camp Of the Pennsylvania Reserve
Corps, now in Fairfax county, Virginia. AT
the same time must ask your readers indul-
gence for any imperfections they may find in
| my communication, as it is my first effort at
writing for the Press, and it is only by great
effort that have conquered my natural mod
esty so far as to undertake it. | shall be fully
compensated for my labor if can make my
letter pQssabie, as L have no aspirations after
literary fame, and really don't think that
there lies in me an s'undeveloped genius,,
who only needs the opportunity to become
great, and hope they will not think me ego
tlstical at the, perhaps, too frequent mention
OF myself, for only copy that style of my let
ter from the great Russell of Bull Run fame.
Having such an illustrious model, may most
certainly be pardoned if l should follow his
example in this one papticular, and if an op-
portunity offered might equal his zeal in
reaching Washington, as he did about the
close of the Bull Run fight, taking as went
flying notes." So much Tor apology.
Upon reaching Washington was surpr sed
to see it SO changed in appearance, from what
it had been at the time of a former visit some
three years since. 1t is now full might
safely say GRAINED. Every available place of
business is occupied. and the late meeting of
Congress has helped to increase the already
large amount of business transacted here
Besides those having business with the militia
ry departments and camps in the vicinity, a
large number are as usual attending the ses-
sion of Congress, either having business to
transact, or trying to have some.
After some delay 1 procured pass, permit
ting me to pass over the "Chain Bridge'' to
the camps in Virginia, of which permission
availed myself Immediately. On reaching
Georgetown, with carpet bag in hand, start
ed up the river road. from which [ could see |
three large Forts situated upon the high |
ground that rises abruptly from the opposite
shore of the Potomac, which | am informed |
command the city of Washington, Alexandria |
and the river below, well as the country in |
the rear. There is also small Redout on the |
Georgetown side of the river, mounted with |
two immense rifed guns, that could drop |
shells into any of the three above mentioned |
forts, if they unfortunately should ever fall
into the hands of an enemy, while, at the same
time, they are ranged TO cover the read pass
ing along the river, and would materially in
terfere with the approach OF hostile force
from that direction.
Alter passing the unfinished Basins of the
Washington water works, 1 saw nothing of
note until | arrived at the ..Chain Bridge,
which found to he wooden structure, and
very good of It's kind-but no chain bridge for
all that. Whilst revolving the anomaly in my
miud, l approached the sentinel stationed al
the entrance, lwho politely requested to see
my pass, which handed to him. After look
ing at it attentively, he returned it to me with
sail right, pass on" But as had come ssto
learn what l could learn,' | took this as a fa-
vorable opportunity to satisfy my curiosity
concerning the bridge and its inappropriate
name. He informed me that the former
bridge had been a ''chain bridge, but for
some cause it had fallen down and been re-
placed by the present wooden structure and
then thanking him for his kindness, started
for the other side of the river. l found the
bridge good one and high above the water.
The river is very wide but shallow at this
point, except near the Virginia side, where
the main stream flows and looks deep-being
very rough and rapid, full of rocks, (and ugly
rocks at thaD. | am told by some of our men
hat it very much resembles Moshannen Falls
Turing high water. The banks on both sides
Use up abruptly into hills-those on the Vir-
sinia side being much the highest near the
stream but on the Maryland side, second
lil rises short distance back, equaling that
If the other side. When about two thirds of
he way over the bridge, Icame to place that
lad been fortified by strong planks sheathed
With boiler iron-leaving just sufficient space
or wagons to pass. This l understood had
,een done a means of defense. previ ions to ,
he crossing of our forces. ,
On reaching the Virginia side stopped and
ooied back and discovered that the bridge
vas covered by two batteries placed on the
larry land hill. One is directly in line with
he bridge, and the other some distance above
so that if they failed to prevent troops from
ntering the bridge, they could soon tear it to
ieces. 1t caused me almost to shudder at
roops upon whom those iron monsters should II
pen their mouths. An old stone building r
hows unmistakable evidence that those who 4
IAN the guns are good marksmen, it having l
cen used as target for practice.
A ravine at this point opens way for the !
pad that connects the bridge with the country f
ack from the river. The main road from