North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-10-15
Letter from the Army.
CoNRAD's FERRY, D
Md. Oct, Sd 1862. {

H1u' Wv. Ou 1OOA'
DEAR EDITOR Since my last, we have
changed our position, from Arlington Heights,
Va, to Conrad's Ferry, Nd, our Regt. hold
ing the picket line from Point Rock, to this
Ferry, distance Is miles. We are now loca-
ted in pleasant and healthy country, abun-
dant with good water, good fruit, apd in fact,
everything necessary for the comfort and con-
venience of man. The Potomac here, is a
beautiful stream of pure water, resembling
the Susquehanna in many places, though not
as wide as the Susquehanua at Tunkhannock.
The banks are high and heavily timbered
with large and leafy oaks, with their huge
branches oyerhanging the water. Under the
shade and protection of these oaks, our boys
are watching night and day, every movement
of the enemy on the opposite bank Moth
ing of a serious nature has occurred of late,
up to Oct. lst. Several complaints has been
made by the farmers on the Va. side, of i'll
treatment, from the rebel army, such as TAX
ing horses, mules, cattle, provisions &c.
Also mpressing into the service every man
without distinction, in any way capable of
bearing arms. This news having reached
Gen. Stoneman, now commanding the divis-
ion of the late General Kearney, he at once
determined to reconnoitre the country, as far
out as Leesburg. A force consisting of the
57th P. v, one section of 1st P. V. artillery,
and three squadrons of Col. Duf1ed's 1st
Rhoad Island corps, were selected for this
expedition, all under command of Lieut..
Col Brney, of 57th p V. All things being
in readidess we started out at IL o'clock A.
M. Oct, End, forded the river without much
difficulty, (though the water in many places
was deep and rapid,) and proceeded at once.
toward Leesburg Squads of cavalry were at
once sent out on either side the road, to scour
the country as far out as practible, the main
body moving rapidly toward the town. Be-
fore 2 o'clock P. NJ. Col. Duffied's corps were
drawn up in line Of battle, along the main
street of Leesburg, and our artillery placed
in position to she'll the main entrance into
the town, from the opposite side, and also to
hold the main road to the ferry. Lieut.. Gil
lespla of the 57th, was then ordered with
Co.'S B. and G. to scour the town. This duty
was nobly performed by the young Lieut.
He visited every street, the tn principal
hospitals, all filled with sick and wounded
rebels. Captured sc prisoners, (nearly all
convalescent,) brought them before Col. Duf-
fed, (who paroed them with several others,
and returned to Head Quarters, highly clated
with his flying visit through the rebel town
Capt. Sides had the principle command of the
57th, and as usual seemed to be on his high
heels when in anticipation of fight. About
five O'Clock our scouts came in, and we at
once proceeded toward camp, recrossing the
river at sunset, and reaching camp soon af-
ter star light, where we found splendid camp
fires in readiness to dry our breectes, pre-
pare our coffee &c. The whole thing was
done in good order, every one feeling conf
dent that he had performed all that was ex-
pected of him with the exception of leaving
twenty or thirty dead rebels on the field, and
capturing forty OF fifty prisoners. However
we have left this part of the work for some
future day, and sho uld survive | will gladly
tell you all about it. Yours Co..
L. w. AVERY.
57th Regt. P. V.