Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-01-28

ger every step OF assuming the HORIZONTAL
After We got beyond the dim lights of the
tents, the thought occurred,
" The night grows woni'rOus dark deep swell.
ing gusts
And sultry stiffness take the rule by turn
Whilst DER our heads, the black and heavy clouds
roll slowly on"
I Some OF us jumped bitches, others fell
/ in and got out without orders We crawled
over fences and stumbled over old furrows,
and discovered the whereabouts of all the I
holes in the fields.
We soon reached Whitegate station, a
mile and half from the encampment here
a Massachusetts company was OIL picket
guard and here we joined Company H.
which, according to instructions, sent after
their departure, had halted to await our
coming We found the piekets lowering
around the large fires which they had built
in their shelters made of pine brush along
the edge of the woods. With a good
night TO them, we now all moved on, with
out occasioning any envy on the part of the
guards collected about the fires, as to our
fortune in having such walk before u.s.
Having left our lanterns at the station, it not
being prudent to travel any farther with
them, as we were now beyond the line of our
pickets, We we're obliged 10 travel in the
s dark. The injunction was now abe quiet,
J make no noise Nothing could be heard
] save an occasional half suppressed cough,
s and the continuous splash, splash of hun
& dred and fifty pairs of boots through the
= deep mud and water We thought if this
e was the sacred soil, it was in a very soft con.
n diton We had for guide mau who was
+ acquainted with the way, and who was lead
g ing ~ 10 the place where the rebels were
- expected 10 make landing but the roads
l. were not improved by this fact They were
i. decidedly the worst We had ever seen We
a waded right through pnddles of water with
ont trying to pick our course the mud was
a adhesive. and il was difficult sometimes to
s. pull the feet out.
s. After a time, star was yisible the rain
e had almost ceased the weather was murky
la though By-and-by more stars made their
is appearance and We soon had some light
e from the moon which was essaying to peer
g through the clouds, and We began 10 con
q gratulatc ourselves that We should have q
Il. pleasant time yet but we were destined tc
81 disappointment. Things began TO look hay
ID about us the rain again came down, bnt
" gentlyi but We pursued our way without
in utterng a word scarcely, for We were on the
Ct lookout for rebels. Splurge, splurge, We
al lid
ge sklrting woods, down lanes, over bridges ant
IL marsh on, on, until we could hear tn,
er mourniul roll OF the Chesapeake upon tn,
i'd shore the semi-fuid soil still making sof
Is he'd for our feet at every step. We passed
nd number of houses some of which were in
ie habited. Around the suspected ones, guard
to were left at the chief crossings othe
ev guards were stationed. OF the negroes WI
e. inquired concerning the expected landing
lc- they we're in great trepidation, fearing
on capture by the rebels The dogs barket
nd and lights shone from two houses thes
iss were the only reminders of civilization On
IN. detachment was sent off to watch landinj
,ss on the stream; there it remained for abou
s- four hours, peerng over the water in searcl
ey Of some solitary canoe. These detachment
he were So arranged that communication cou
nd be kept up with the main body. The othe
* guards left, stood behind trees in the wood
lis shivering with cold and stamping their fee
,e- on the saturated earth to keep up the circu
re- lation. Though the weather was not colo
he the moisture soaked through the skin.
1 A mi .1nf = ID
in. River: we walked and waded through
e marsh until we approached a pine thicke
Tor on high ground here we halted, havin
nd traversed a distance of six miles Guard
he were disposed in the grove aud along tn
nd shore to the river Some proceeded t
he make themselves comfortable, by takn
he fence logs, placing them on the ground +
i'm sit on. Those who had no guard duty /
nv perform threw themselves down for mar
,es The wind mstled the long leaves Of III
ng pines, and sobbed through the branches, an
the rain dropped dropped, making our sur
nal roundines cheerless, bnl the whole affair wa
is 50 novel, that We voted il jolly and wer
,lo perfectly satisfied that we came A havei
'or sack which was the property ot one of III
ce company, was opened and the contents dis
oy posed Of in picnic style
,er Having TINS very nicely arranged til
ed trap we patiently awaited for the intende
IN, victims but they displayed good taste
ye, visit postponed ON account Of the weathe
ng There was no alarm the entire night not
of rebel visible anywhere. As there was n
an. prospect of an invasion on their part thi
night We started back home between I'll
hours OF two and three. The walk belol
~ MS was a long and deep one, but there WI
no mnrmnrng lor we regarded il as one
the features Of soldering, and as one of II
Injuries Of the profession of arms Oh
Lieut. Col. walked the entire way, and W;
as active as any, showing power of endu
ty unce and judgment which well fitted him f,
ys his duties as q military man.
big We reached our camp at five o'clock
lin, the morning, having walked twelve miles
,ud there was not a dry foot in the party. "
hat had waded more than ever We did befor
md Before we arrived, we had scarcely enerl
to sufficient to step over the smallest quite
But We slept soundly for couple of houl
on and then were ready for breakfast
re- Our impressions OF that portion Of Il
IN country traversed are not very well define
sut as they were derived in the night time. I'll