Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-01-15
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE "JoUaNAL."
W.su,sGros. d. c., Jan. 4, lS6

WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 4, 1862.
FRIEND Row During my visit to Camp
Pierpout, had an opportunity of becoming
acquainted with some of the officers of the
.sBucktaiP' regiment, and in justice to them
must say, that found them all fine men, as
well as good soldiers. Col.Kane, now in CON-
mand. is small man, has a very energetic
cast of countenance, and an eye that indicates
action. He is said to be brave to fault, and
likely to be carried away by excitement at
times, and to rush into danger where cooler
man would not dare to venture. His company
officers, as said before, are fine looking
Sc; OF men, and without disparagement to the
others, think that Capt. Taylor is the best
looking man that have seen for long time.
If his brother, the great traveller, possesses
half his good looks, he is certainly endowed
beyond the most of men. Capt. Irwin has i'm
proved great deal in appearance-the hard
. ships of camp life have done him no harm,
and next to Capt. Taylor, he is the best look
ing officer in his regiment The s'Bucktails,
(ior since they have so recently lmmortallzed
that name, they will never be known by any
other,D are very modest in accepting the praise
bestowed upon them for their good conduct in
the Drainsvillc fight. They say that there is
no ''tun" in such things but they are just as
anxious as ever for another opportunity OF
meeting the rebels on fair ground, and hope
that they may soon have it. AS the "Buck-
tsils'' have been SO prominently brought be-
tore the public by the late battle, may be
pardoned for stating some few particulars
corning them. The regiment is made up, not
as most people suppose by companies from the
Wild Cat district entirely, but partly so. Cap
tain Tay Tors company is from Chester county;
Capt. Magee's from Carbon or Lehigh coun-
ty and one company is from Bradford coun-
ty; the remainder believe are from the Wild
Cat district. The same is true of almost every
regiment composing the Reserve Corps ; they
are nearly all made up of companies from diff
ferent parts of our State. If one regiment is
brave in battle, We may reasonably say that it
represents our soldiers from all parts OF the
State, and that 1t only requires opportunity to
establish the fact that PennsylyaDians are TO
DE relied on, wherever they are placed. vi
course, they must have the necessary previous
Instruction and training-for bitter expert
S1ee has shown us. that the bravest men with
out drill or discipline, are no better for pur-
poses Of var, than an armed mob. The Buck
tails are aimed with the Springfield rifed
musket, said to be the best small arms in the
service, and the regiment is generally sent in
advance as skirmishers during amarch towards
'he snemy's position. They expert in
Inc skirmish drill, of which intend 10 speak
more at length hereafter. In marching, the
man body of the army occupies the road,
whist two or more companies are sent out up
On the right ard left skirmishers. Alter
some time these are recalled and others sent
out to relieve them. Skirmshing is very
t.atlgueng work. Climbing hills and passing
.nrough forests, jumping over logs, fallen
iress, or fences, and crossing streams in reg
ular hunter fashion, is certainly calculated to
weary men. With the exception Of the priv
ese OF choosing their own ground to travel
ppSer, they must keep in sight Of the main
sOuy aud OF each other. By this arrangement
, ,'e Bucktails the first to attack or be at
sacked, and have the honor as well as the dan
b'! o. opening the battle. When the whole