Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-11-19
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE JOURNAL.
LINCOLN HosrirAL, WAsHIsoroE, D. c.,
-. 1850 e

Mr.. s. j. Row Sir have noticed in sew
eral issues OF the Clearfeid Republican, occa-
sional letters from our Camp here, the con-
tents Of which are calculated to create en-
tirely erroneous, as well as unfavorable i'm
preston on the minds of many OF the citizens
OF Clearfield in regard to the company aud its
| officers. Ny object in writing this is, to try
| to remove those uniavorable impressions, by
| a statement of plain facts as they occurred,
! and to show how easily the most trifiing affairs
may be tortured into acts of official tyranny
| and neglect.
The first misstatement which noticed was,
| in copy Of the Republican read shortly af-
ter our arrival at Camp McNeal. It was over
the signature of Soldier Il think this was
| it, but am not certain about the signature,
to the effect, that the first night We spent in
Camp Curtin we had only two tents, and that
the officers occupied these two tents, while
the rank and 6le of the company were COM
PEELED to sleep in the open air. Now, this
was too triding story to be taken notice of
by itself, but it seems that several other SINH
lar filings were made at the officers, which will
have, unless corrected, very bad effect upon
the mrds of the people OF Cleardeld. When
we went first into quarters at Camp Curtin, we
received the first day only two tents. While
Capt. Mccullough was attending to our other
wants, Lieut. Row stripped to the shirt and
worked like man, till he had the tents pitch
ed-while many of the company were listless-
ly lounging on our pile of baggage, or leaning
against the suffers counter stufing them
selves with cakes and ale. That very night
one OF the tents was occupied by member Of
our company, (who was sck) aud Charles
Larrimer and Vim. Miller, who attend ed him
The other, We filled with our provisions, and
SO much of our baggage We did not wish to
expose. The Captain, Lieutenant, and my
self, slept in the open space between the tents,
and very comfortable sleep We had-never
thinking what dreadful suffering the rest were
enduring. in just exactly the same situation.
If such triding occurrences as sleeping in the
field, on warm summer night. wrapped snug
ly in heavy blanket, be considered hard
ship, don't know how such men will stand
soldering when it comes to be in earnest.
The next statement noticed, was the reci.
tai OF the tyranical conduct of the officers in
Furnishing an old Irishman, who says he has
four sons in the army, for no other crime than
that of being drunk. 1t is said be had to walk
his beat with knap-sack on his back in the
burning sum don't know how long. | saw
in Camp McNeal, this same old Irishman ar
rested and brought before the Colonel for GO
ing out OF camp without leave, aud being
drunk and disorderly and abusive in his Ian
guage Now, is such conduct to pass unpun-
ished in any army The punishment, the Col
gave him was to tie him up to tree for about
hours, when he released and sent to his
quarters with reprimand. Well, after we
CAME here this same old fellow went off on a
drunk and stayed two days. When he came
back he was more abusive than ever, and re- |
fused to obey any order whatever-cursing
the officers, and saying he would do as he
pleased, &c. The punishment this time was,
he had to put on hls knap-sa and walk in
front OF the officers quarters for about hours
Il am sure not much more-in a rather cool
afternoon in the end of October. Surely, if
this be called tyranny and slavery, what will
we call discipline?
There has also something been said, about
our duties here, and our provisions and hard
living, &c. Regarding our duties, | have
nothing much to say. am inclined to obey
my superiors without question or murmur. L
think, We can live as cheap here, guarding
new Hospitals, as if We we're lying encamped
in one of the forts within half mile of our
position, to which it might be necessary TO
transfer US, and which could be done anv time
IN a few minutes. l guess, the war DEPART |
ment knows where to put US, as we'll as any
green horn in our company. We are amply
supplied with excellent provisions thanks
to the energy and business tact of our Quarter
master, Lieut.. Chase). We have fresh bread
every two days, and the bread will keep two
weeks, and not get sour-as have carefully
ascertained by actual experiment. 1 have,
many time, eaten worse article in Clear
field. and thought it was good. We get fresh
beef twice weakness pork, oil a superior
quality, the balance of the time We get
beans, rice, peas, molasses, sugar, alternately
tea and coffee, (not Lincoln coffee), but the
genuine article; which some of the boys don't
like, because it don't taste like the decoctions
OF rye and corn that they have been accu stom-
ed to.
nave made here no statements, but what
every man in our Company knows is in strict
accordance with the truth have said poth-
ing to offend any one who is willing to do his
duty like a man and a soldier-the others l
don't care for. The motives, which actuate
men to write such stuff home to their friends
in Clearfeld, must either attribute to mali
cious prejudice, or disappointed ambition
but in either case, the truth ought to be told.