The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-01-15
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP CALIFORNIA, Va,
Dao 90 1851

have not been able to answer it till now.
In fact Sunday is the only time we have
to write, for, what with drilling, eating,
sleeping and keeping our accoutrements
in order, all our time during the week is
taken up, so if your letters are not an
swered in a week or two you will know
the reason.
About 2 weeks ago at 10 o'clock P NJ,
just as We were getting into comfortable
nap, We were called Up BY the ''long-rolF'
and started off at quick march which we
kept up for couple, Of hours, till We
reached place called Etsills Hill, where
an attack of the rebels was expected. We
laid out in the cold expecting, waiting,
hoping, aye, most devoutly wishing they
a0ould attack US, for we were placed in
good position and felt little vexed at
being called SO far (some five or six miles,
for nothing. But nothing nor nobody"
appeared, and so when morning came we
were marched back without accomplish
ing anything but getting very cold (for
we did not take our blankets) and hungry
and tired. But our General professed
himself SO well pleased with our actions
on that night that he determined we
should be detailed for picket at that place.
So Sunday morning (the p, Dec.) we re-
ceived orders to pack up and march, with
four days. rations in our haversacks. We
were nearly 3 hours marching those 5
miles, but that (though it may look diff
ferent to you) is considered good march
ing for Regiment with knapsacks and
acoutrements on their backs We relieved
New York Regiment of Dutchmen that
were almost frightened out Of their wits
all the time they were there with fear that
the rebels would make an attack. They
had thrown together few brush tents
which We thought they could have bet
tered, but were compelled to take. As
soon as we broke ranks we (Co.'s G and
b went to work building log hut for
our officers, and then tried to fix our huts,
but the wind began to blow tremendous
ly, and we had to shelter ourselves as best
we might We tried to eat our dinners
but it was getting SO cold that we had to
put on our overcoats, throw our blankets
over our shoulders and (those of US for
tunate enough to possess them) put on
our gloves and mittens to keep warm, and
all that vas barely sufficient, and went
without our supper, conienting our
selves with a crust Of bread, and went
10 bed e.. c. laid DOWN with all our clothes
on and covered up with our blankets.
At about 6 o'clock it began to rain and
soon the water began to pour through,
under and around our tents. We lay till
we got our blankets wet through and our
clothes wrInging wet, aud then we sat up
and kept in that position till morning
when we got up and tried to get some
breakfast We did not care particularly
as it was our turn for picketing that day
As two companies day were detailed for
that duty, our Captains (of Co.'S G and b
managed to get detailed together, and at
about 9 o'clock We started out.
We marched about mile and then be-
gan to post the boys, 5 at post, four men
and a Corporel or Sergeant Company
B was posted first, and of course, had the
least dangerous posts, while our Company
was placed on the extreme out-posts of the
whole division. The Captain had quite
a reserve with Kim while we were posted
so if we were attacked we could fire and
retreat till we reached him, and then it
would take a large force to dislodge Us if
we held our post as We ought. live were
attacked by cavalry we could by retreat
ing rod or SO, place ourselves in growth
of underwood and ivy that would make it
utterly impossible to follow US, and if it
were infantry they would have to cross an
open field, and we could stand our ground |
behind our barricade. But we had no
alarm, and, as we felt pretty cold and
hungry, we spent the day cooking and
drying our blankets. We kept one maa
at every post at the lookout and relieved
him every hour, so that we could all keep
comfortable. 1t showed three or four
hours and then blew off and we had it |
clear, cold and clustering. AS we were
compelled to keep awake, and did not
dare to have any fire, the cold weather
came just at the right time for me, for l
feel sure | would have been caught nap
ping at my post, for l had not had any
sleep for two nights and had worked hard
all the time, SO you see sit is an i'll wind
that blows nobody good" and was not
the only one that felt as did
We were glad when morning came for
we knew We would be relieved before
noon. We had the privilege of sending
off some scouts, so some of our boys went
out to 'see what they could hear" They
went to house and asked for some geese
they saw before the door for Christmas
dinner; the owners were very indepen-
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