Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-06-07
From The Star Of the North.
Soldiers Letter.
CATLETr's STATION, Va.
NAV 9Th, 1862.

OF man, and s0ldlets Tie Is no eNceplIoH
TO this rule.
arrived a, Williamsport, Md, in the
evening of the same day that took my de-
parture from your place. The journey thus
far was a pleasant one. The next day
walked TO Winchester, a distance OF thirty
four miles. passed over the ground on
which the battle Of Falling Waters was
fought on the 2d o! July last. The trees
and buildings in the immediate vicinity
still bear the marks of this splendid little
affair. spent an hour in walking over the
ground, in company with a gentleman by
the name OF Mr. Wilson, who resides, and
did al that time, within 90 yards Of the spot
where the battle commenced, lie pointed
ont the spot where the first victim of that
day fell. He was member of the Third
Wisconsin Regiment. He also pointed out
The graves of those who were buried on the
field, and among them was that OF Amos
Zuppinger, son Of your toynsman Henry
| Iuppinger. A board bearing his name
marks his last resting place, beneath the
shade OF a large apple tree, and in the
bonghs Of which the eathered warblers as.
semhle and sing a doleul reqnium TO the
departed. Poor Amos; knew him we'll
He was warm hearted, but impetuous.-
Faults he had; who has not? But he tell
in glorious cause. Peace to his ashes.
arrived in Winchester at six o'clock, p.
NJ, but could learn nothing Of the Stth,
more than they had advanced up the valley.
Next morning | called upon the Provost
Marshall and procured a pass 10 Strasburg,
a distance of Is miles. When | got as lar
as Cedar Creek, miles from Slrasburg,
came upon camp containing about 500 OF
General Banks pets, viz: Negroes, who were
contrabands OF war; and were mary ot them
dressed in the military attire of the vOnn-
teers, and upon inquiry found TO my utter
astonlshment, that they were drawing ra.
lions just the same as the soldiers, al The
expense Of the Government. THIS very nat
uraIly sci my mind 10 work upon the sub
lecl and came TO the conclusion that il
was burning shame, yea disgrace that
will hang like an incubus TO tie present
administration, that they were feeding and
clothing thousands of Negroes and Keeping
them in dleness, while the Families OF the
Unlon Soldiers were in many cases suffer.
ing. What think you of that, ye lax.pay ersa
Is II any wonder that the expenses ot The
Government exceeds two million dollars
per day Is is any wonder shat there is
mighty change in the minds Of The soldiers,
that there is dissatisfaction in the army p
But The evils that will arise from this cause
OF proceedings are manifold; and shall in
future letters try and handle this subject
and its anhors-the AhoIlionists-as best
| can, without caring for the snarlings Of
those petty bastard like Uuion shders
AT Sirasburg learned that Shields Dyis.
ion had crossed the mountain, but where
they were stationed | knew not, but was
told 10 wait until next morning. and then |
could get transE onation 10 the Regiment.
There were nearly twenty thousand solders
here, ard Gen. Banks was strongly forify-
ing himself uron a hill overlooking the
town. There is great deal o sickness a,
that place, from eish TO ten die daily.
Next morning al o'clock took the cars
on the Srasburg and Manassas Railroad
but did not know our de>iination--as there
were over u hundred of us going to Join the
different Regiments, all under the charge
Of IA comm issloned officer. Many incidents
occurred during the journey that would be
increasing TO yonr readers, had | the time
TO relate ihem. We arrived al Manassas
which was so long the terror Of the orh--
a, 3 O'Clock P. NJ The cars only stopped
fifteen minutes. | had no time 10 make
mary observations aud all can say is, that
the place was strongly fortified IA, all points
ior miles around. saw here one OF The
Quaker" guns which the rebels left behind
when they evacuated The place II was a
round piece Of log, painted black, mounted
on wheels, and al a IltIe distance looked,
as one OF the boys remarked, "lor all the
world like a cannon"
We here took the Orange and Alexandria
Railroad for Alexandria, where we arrived
at o'clock We had with us a full car.oad
of "contrabands" that had been st0iea from
their owers, and the Government was assist.
ing Them in their fight So we drift. Here
] first learned where the Saith was stationed.
II was al Fredericksburg, rs miles from that
city. In company with Capt. Crissman, OF
Company c S4Ih Regiment, p V, visit
ed the "MARsHALL HOUSE," where ihe gal
liant young ELLSWORTH was killed, in MAY
OF last year. II is a splendid house, and is
kept by gentleman from Philadelphia
Curiosity prompted me TO make many in
qulrles III regard 10 this murder, which shall
form the subject for another communication.
Next morning we took passage on the fine
Government steamboat, North america, for
Aqua Greek, distance 60 miles, where we
arrived at II M,
We passed Fort Washington in the IT'D.
This ForI is situated on the left bank of the
Potomac, and is a very strong stone Fort
It's sides facing the river are pierced for "a
guns mounted on lhe parapel The garrison
Band appeared on lhe walls and PLAYED
"Hail Columbia" and several national airs
as we were passing.
The rebels had thrown up strong intrench.
menls al Aqua Creek, which place ,hey
evacuated some months ago We here took
The cars again and arrived in camp inst a,
dark. | found the boys all well, and the
whole camp in hustle, as they had orders
10 march next morning. Gen. McDowelPs |
Division was here 100. The "lron Guardsn
are all well, bat | did not get 10 see any of
them. They all visited our camp the day |
came III; and left the same time we did, but |
! do not know where they went 10. We |
came TO this place, where we arrived this
morning, The weather is fine, and the I
boys all anxious 20 meet The foe. This
place is lei. miles from Manassas and is n
splendid place. Our address is WASHING.
ton, d. c. But must close, hoping 10 wriIe
soon again, remain yours, as usual,
TooDLRs.
nv y, % ~SS -
IHE harrisburg Patriot in speakinc of tho