The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-02-05
CAMP KELLY, NEAR CUMBERLAND,
. Maryland, Jan. 27.1862


CAMP KELLY, NEAR CUMBERLAND, p
- " Maryland, Jan. 27..186a. 80
Dear Spi,s't:-Please insert in your
columns a few lines from soldier now in
the enemies country. . : ''4 "a
We left Camp Goddard, GAINESVILLE, on
the l 7th nlt, took the 60 R. R.. at
Belair, bade 'adieu to our native State
and started for the land of "Dixie - Is
We travelled day and night shut up in
freight cars, and arrived at Cumberland
on the morning of the 18th, but had to
stay on. board the ears, moving up and
down the r. B. all day, as aobody seem
ed to know where We should stop, How,
ever, we finally pitched oar tents on the
north branch Of the Potomac on the
Maryland side close by the bridge eros
sing to Virginia. This bridge was burnt
some time ago by the "Secesh, "9 hut is
now rebuilt: it is e splendid iron con-
|structiob throughout, Il Il, s..,..
On our arrival here we found mud and
water from six to ten inches deep in and
around our tents. It was rather q pitifui
sight to see some Of the boys huddle to-
gether with the mud over their shoetop,
shivering and evidently thinking of that
Old saying, "there is no place like home,"
while others more rugged were busily
engaged erecting the tents; which being
done, we went up on the mountain and
cut "Secesh feathers,n in the shape of
piuestogs.which we;. put into our tents,
spread our blankets, and threw ourselves
into the arms Of sbaImy natdre's' sweet
restorer" and slept sweetiy all night, being
much fatigued by our long journey.
The following morning our blankets
we're actually vet having been pressed
down in the mud, but Notwithstanding
this we all got up much refreshed, feeling
thankful that things were no worse. The
boys all stood itsbraRely. Since. then we
have kept adding "feathers" to our tents
which are now. quite comfortable. Who
wouldn't be alsoldisri We are encamp,
ed in very romantic portion of country.
and beautiful valley through which
runs the proud waters of the now famous
Potomac, also the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal. On either side OF. us there stands
gigantic mountains towering Heavenward,
clad in beautiful robessof pine, laurel, and
other evergreens. through which run Deer,
Foxes and other game, in great abun-
dance. Oar boys brought in deer and
o. fox to day, the latter being caughtalive
II is grand aud imposing sight to 60 up
on the mountain and look, down on the
tent covered valley below which is as
thickly covered with tents and men as the
mountains are with the beauties Of nature
The rocks here are .of. 9. very peculiar
kind. being, as it were. piled up edge.
wise, instead of in fiat tlayers, andsin those
rocks may be found beautiful variety of
petri6ed creation; but I am no geologist
ard consequently can give. no learned dis
cription of them. The asoifisavery3 pro-
dactive l think The farm we are en-
oamped on was owned by . Secessionists,
q Captain in the Confederate Army, but
bow q prisoner of war at Camp Chase
The people are all "Secesb, !" or nearly
so, especially on the other side cf the
river in Hampshire County, Va.
We are located six miles faom. Cum.
berland, II from R6inney, and about 80
from Winchester. We iatend to attack
them at Romney or Winchester in few
days They are about $4,000 strong.
Oar force under command of Brig.
Gen. Lander no one knows the exact
strength of or when or where the Gen.
tral iutends to move. But you need not
be surprised if you hear of fight before
long? Que regiment, the 62ni is com.
prised of mauy brave, and daring able
bodied men, aud will no douht- make i;s
mark if it gets chance. We have got
excellent officers, beloved and respected
by all. ....sa.g
2 We have drilled but little since we
came here on account of the mud, it ia
about as much as we eau do to get out
iu line for roll call. II has raiued some
avery day for about 2 weeks which. keeps
up the supply of mud. There was "a about
three inches of snow fell last night, but
is all gone to day. The weather has
been qnits mi thus far, but we have not
seen ray trom that bright orb, which
gives light by duy, since we have been
hers
We were visited the other day by the
Brigade Surgeon. who. endeavored to i'm.
press upon our mirds the Importance of
our health; he told us To see
hat we got our full allowance Of ra.iuns,
aud that they bs properly cooked, and
clsaniiness De strictly Observed; be also
ommended bathing in cold water once
4 week as a sure preventive from Camp
diseases. This was ,received with a shud
der. and l think it very doubtful of It's
being carried into ,ffect.
We have TO carry "Secesh" rails about
! mile which is our only means of getting
'uei in this region; and the supply of rails
IS nearly exhausted hence we will soon
lave to take up our beds aud walk -