Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-01-29
CAMP CALIFORNIA. SD Reg't Pa. Vol.

I
Near Alexandria Va an. 18th 1862. {
DEAR RAFTsMAN JOURNAL To-day being
one of those cold ,dreary ones that reminds me
so much of Clearfield, | thought it would not
be amiSs if l would while away a half hour in
writing to you. We are situated on the ex-
treme southern wing of the army, the second
post of honor in the grand d'd1fs1ee OF the Po-
tomac. Our encampment is located on the
ground where the Ellsworth Zouaves had the
skirmish with the rebels last Spring-CloudS
Mills. The fence rails and the old mill that
shielded the rebels, bear evidence OF hard
work. We are constantly the q1si ciUe on
account of alarms by day and alarms by night
The last two or three days the weather
has been quite severe upon the bows. and if
we were ordered forward at this time we
would go, but the suffering would be great
Whilst we remain In camp we can manage to
keep tolerable comfortable, but once upon the
march we must forego many little inconveni-
ences. The rugged Raftsmen are well repre-
resented III the fifty-third regiment. Good
material say you. Yes, and they show it by
their superior power of endurance. Without
wishing TO make any invidiouS comparison in
justice | must say, that company ID can turn
out more men OF muscle than some other com
panies in the regiment. But Pennsylvania
need not be ashamed of the rank and file of the
50 Young America Regiment 4 short
sketch of few of the officers, perhaps would
not be uninteresting, and will show you of
what material the regiment is composed.
Col. JOHN Il. BROOKE is a man near the age
the lamented Ellsworth was when he fell in
defence OF his countryS flag. He was born
and reared in Montgomery county, Pa. He
has crossed the great ssP Iains'' and served as
Brigade Quarter master of the Utah Army.
Remaining in the mountains four wears his
constitution has become Injured to all kinds of
hardShips. In the three months service he
had command of company that was among
the first on the sSSacred soil'' to defend the
Constitution and the Union. At the end of
his enlistment he raised regiment. and
again he is on sold Virginia shore,' impa-
tiently awaiting an opportunity to lead his
men TO battle and to victory.
Lieut.. Col. RICHARD MCMICHAEL is one of
the few good fellows that are met in this
world. When 1 look at him, think of old
Rough and Ready. He is his Counterpart in
many respects. He enlisted as a private in
the second Pennsylvania regiment for the war
with Mexico. AT Pittsburg he was appointed
Sergeant Major; afterwards he was promoted
to be Lieutenant, and finally was elected
Major. lie was in al the battles from the TAX
ing of Vera Cruz TO the taking of the CITY OF
Mexico. In the three months service he was
Lieut.. Colonel of the fourteenth regiment Pa.
Vols. Again he is in the field ready to do
his duty.
Captain Ohm S.McKIERNAN of Clearfeld co.
Pa. is another old soldier, and yet young man.
He served as private in Mexico at the age of
fifteen years; and in the three months SER
vice as First Lieutenant and Quartermaster.
and is now Captain in the present campaign,
In addition to this, he served with Capt Terry s
Rife rangers in California and in three battles
with the Indians; in one Of which he received
a wound from an arrow, the mark of which he
bears upon him. He lived five months on the
plains and in the Rocky mountains. and
wherever found, is always at his post His
experience as a soldier is of the best and his
ability is beyond doubt. The very fact of
his prom otion proves him to be man of tae +
and energy. As disciplinarian he has very
few, If any superiors. AS a commander he is
energetic, quick, and full of courage three
concomitants, not often found in the same
composition, and three very essential oualIf
cations OF a soldier; and he will make his
mark if opportunity offers.
A rather singular coincidence occurs with
Captain McKiernan and Colonel McMtcbaeI:
Thongh living in different parts of the State
they were in the same regiment in Mexico
the same regiment in the three months SER
vice, and are now in the same regiment.
Since boys, they have been. marching shoul-
der to shoulder, defending the honor of the
Stars and Stripes, and keeping pace to the
music OF the Union. | doubt whether two
other men can be found in the great army of
the Union, whose war destinies have thus sin
gularly associate them.
Our Quarter-master Lieut.. JAooB R1oE. is
one of the very best in the service He was
quarter master of the 18th Reg't, in the three
MONTHS service, and has been a military man
all his life. Capt. S. o. BULL and Capt. ".
5. PoTTs were in the three months service.
and are old Plain and California rangers
Part of their experience was gained under
KIT CARSON, OF Rocky Mountain notoriety.
We have other officers that have been in
actual service, but Of them l shall speak again