The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-09-03
Army Correspondence.
HEAD QUARTERS, 62ND RECT Q. Y. !
CAMP NEAR YORKTOWN, VA.
AUGUST 22nd. 1862

Dear Spirit-Since my last, written in
the valley, the -62nd has travelled over
a considerable portion of the sacred soil :
to no purpose whatever, further than
doing picket duty for % days, during the
months of July and August, which by
the way is considerable, taking into con-
sideration the number of men composing
the Army of the Potomac. -.
The Regiment arrived at Harrisoh's
Landing July 4th. Several deaths oc-
Cured in the Regiment CATER our, or their
arrival, for I remained at Alexandria, be-
ing on the sick list, until the 1st of Au-
gust two of. which were in our company,
viz: George Uppole and Ephraim Brad
field, both Of Monroe county. ss -,z.
On the 18th the Regiment was relieved
from picket and ordered to prepare for
march, (our company was detailed to
guard supply train of End Brigade,) re-
ported to Quarter Master of Brigade with
company, and received orders.
The evacuation of Harrison's Landing
which at this time had been going on for
ten days, was almost completed, only one
or two Companies remaining as rear
guard. The morning of the 10th at
o'clock the train was got in motion for
Fortress Monroe; VIC left the breast-works
at 5 o'clock-passed through Charles City
the county seat of Charles City County
examined the county records which dates
proved the county limits to have been
established one hundred and ninety six
wears since The Jail attracted consider
able attention on account Of long sharp
spikes on the top of the walls of theouter
court to prevent the escape Of criminals
The next place Of interest was Williams
burg 30 miles from the Landing. The
morning OF the 17th, in company with
Lieut.. knoop, Quarter Master of our
Regiment, | took stroll through the
town; the first place that attracted our
attention was William and Mary's Col
lege. We entered, and JUICE of our sur
prise to find it usod as a Commissary De-
Barrels o.. Pork, sacks Of
Oats, and Coffee, SUGAR and boxes of in
vincible crackers filed the different recep-
ton and recitation rooms OF this splenr
did ediice. .., - -.
Fort Mlgruder nearthc town is a strong
earth work, and during the battle at thu
place AN Artillery race occurred 1or II
nossess;on between a Union and Sccesl
battery, in which our battery came ca
| second best. .-.. ID. -..-..: .-.-.-..
Yorktown, y miles from Williamsburg
/ on the York river, is surrounded by tn
most formidable Notifications I have seen
! The distance from the bottom of the ditcl
which surrounds the works, to the top i
i is feet, the ditch 10 feet deep and s wide
the works are surmountea by formidabl
! looking pieces OF cannon, captnred fror
the Sece5h at the time Of their evacuatio
Of the place Gen. McClellan's work
are less than one mile from the town.
Big Bethel, II miles from yorktown
the scene of Gen Pierce's defeat by tn
rebels, is tolerably well. fortified, butw
; in comparison with the works Of the lat
ter, place. The fortifcations at Littl
Bethel, miles from Fortress Monroe al
: of no Importance whatever, at least that
my opinion. e;;.,....s. --. - .
!. Hampton, 4 miles from the Fortres
was taken possession of by the rebels ;
the commencement Of the war, and occl
/; pied until driven out by the forces unde
',ltien. Butler, who remained few ia,
: and then returned to the Fortress. I'll
, rebels, ever on the alert, taking advantae
: of Buffers backward movement returne
! and burned the town before the Gener
I could inaugurate measures to prevent
Our train left Williamsburg the morl
i ing of the 18th, and arrived at Fortre
T Monroe at II o'clock at night havin
$ travelled 81 miles in II hours, under
: broiling sun, with train at least mile
in length. z..f--... -.
: The morning Of the 21st at o'cloc
: the train of our Division received orde
, to return to yorktown; by daylight v
+ we're on the road and arrived at o'cloc
!, same evening-distance rs miles.
d Our mission having been performed v
e were ordered to join the Regiment
q camp near Yorktown, which we were r
r ioiced to do. What the next move wi
e be the ''powers" only know. | notice
}. the papers that Gen. Mcclellan was o
t posed to the evacuation of Harrison
D Landing, and further that he was SO mu(
It Opposed that he repaired to Fortress Mo
y roe ami te ,egraphed the powers 1T Was
Il ington to countcrmand the order, but
/, entreaties were Of no avail, the deer
d had gone forth, and the Army of the T
+ tomac was obliged to evacuate. Iii
q will develop who was right. .
d As this scribble is OF sufficient leng
Is to weary almost any person this war
It weather, Twill desist for the present.
< sgsa .a-az Yours, &C., .se = sa
d la.e b. r-.sz Lieut.. H. r. WEST
W 62nd Reg't. o. v.
/ nm "Does my son William, that's
4 the army get plenty to eat?' asked
e. 4. y ~