Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-02-05
CORRESPONDENTS OF TIE "5oURHAL."
CAMP PIERpoNr, Va, Jan. %, 1862.

! CAMP PfERPoNF, Va, Jan. %, 1862.
| DEAR Row As my last was an attempt Il
describe the scenes of actual war in all it.
fearful reality this must relapse into .ht
| opposite extreme, and he description OF the
| dull monotoIy that sometimes intrudes itse
into camp life-rclieyed only by a little epi
| sode occasionally in the shape of special re.
| view-such an one as took place in honor of
Gov Curtin short time since. The whole
souled patriotic appeal which the Governor
made to Gen. Ord's brigade, was quite enough
to make the patriotic blood boil in every true
Pennsy lvanian's heart, and make him resolve
that no traitor hand should be sacrilegiously
laid upon the great emblem of our American
nationality. These little episodes, occurring
here and there, serve for the time to drive a
way the dullneSs, which life OF inactivity
necessarily produceS-Upon their disappear
ance. leaving us the privilege to relapse int 0
the we'll beaten paths of ennui and supine-
ness, and watch the wheels of time as they
move slowly along in their accustomed and
appointed rounds.
l would not wish to be understood as en-
deavoring to convey the idea, that the camp
life of the soldier, of all others, was the most
irkSome and unnvitlng. Far from it for in
deed, camp life, in common with others, has
its bright as well as its dark side,-but from
the very nature of the case, one would natur-
ally come to the conclusion that it ought to be
at least life of extreme activity. 1t is un-
mStakaOly one of the characteristics of hu-
man nature 10 become weary when compelled,
day after day, to perform the same do-nothing
routine of business-not knowing whether it
will terminate in a day, by the unexpected or
der to prepare several days rations and be
ready to march at moments notice; or wheth-
er it will continue for an indefinite period too
remote to be worth a moments reflection.
While we are comparatively hcDmed in on
all sides, so far as going sway from camp is
concerned, nevertheless, when we have time
we are permitted to 90 about aud visit our
friends without being required TO have a pass.
Whilst we are under some little restraint
(Which is as it should bel, we still remember
that VIC are volunteers and not subjected to
the rigorous discipline which characterizes
the regular u. 5. troops.
And we cannot close our eyes to the fact
that we still, under the broad eagis of our ma
tions emblem, enjoy many superior and eXal-
ted priyileges-the privilege of free and open
discussion on any subject involving right and
wrong-the privilege of standing up in de-
fence of our personal rights, whether they be
assailed by our equals in ranks, 10y incompe-
tent officers, or by those who sometimes take
the advantage of red tope Gas an eXcuse) for
exercising that dOmineeriug spirit which seems
to pervade every pore Of some would be great
individuals who have by some means (whether
fair or lou) wormed themselves into the conf
denco and patronage of the powers that be.
We have still another privilege, and which is
by no means the least that of having the
Gospel preached TO us. 1t will be perce ived
at once then, that the volunteer lives in the
unrestrained enjoyment of all those privileges
which tend to eXalt man in the scale of morali-
ty, but, am sorry to say that many, very
many, seem to delight in the abuse of these
privileges. They may yet think of them VIXEN,
perhaps, it is to tate.
One other thought and am done. The lit
tie mounds that are being raised here and there,
in almost every direction, brings sadness to
the heart They tell in language nnmis-
taxable, that death is not more certain by the
musket or cannon ball. than it is by disease;
and from this we may draw important lesson,
TO wit: That life, no matter where lot
may be cast, is very uncertain, and that death
is certain--and admOnishes us, Be We also
ready, for in the hour ye think not the Son Of
man cOmeth.'; Yours, w. Il. B.