The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-07-09
LETTER FROM WINCHESTER.
Correspondence of Philadelphia Inquirer. ]
WINCHESTER, Va, June Is, 1862.
CONDITION OF PREMoNT,s ARMY

Il CONDlT1ON OF FREMONTS ARMY.
The long and weary marches of this
small and gallant army had totally ex-
hausted its stock of supplies. 1t marched
from Petersburg with only two wagons to
a regiment. For over three weeks it slept
in the open air, without tents, and, indee |,
but few tents have yet reached them.
They had their first regular supply of
provisions on Thursday last The cloth
ing of the troops is torn and tattered to
the last degree. The men look more like
tatterdemalions than American soldiers.
Lit is eminentlysthe duty of the Govern
ment to see tina this brave little bond shall
be supplied to the fullest extent with ev-
cry article of clothing needed by sol
der, for they are wanting in everything
essential to comfort and efficiency, save
arms and munitions of war Means have
already been taken to keep them abun-
dantly supplied with food They are, as
you know, now at Mount jackson, forty
two miles from this place.
FARE OF GENERAL OFFICER.
The day that Fremont reached Mount
jackson, there was the utmost scarcity of
food among the men. General Bayard,
who so gallantly led the first Pennsylva-
MIA Cavalry and the detachment of our
Bucktails in the advance of the pursuit of
Jackson, had only two hard crackers dur
ing the whole day, and so hard. that they
failed to be able to eat them. This re-
minds one of the fare Of Revolutionary
Generals
AN ANEcDoTE OF THE GENERAL.
| When Fremont reached Mount Jack
son, he found the bridges over the west
bank of the Shenandoah burned, and the
river so swollen that neither infantry nor
artillery could be passed over. He put
down his pontoon bridge in the evening,
but when morning came, at the dawn of
day, he found that one of the supporting
boats had given way He at once aroused
his men and set them to work to straight
en- up the bridge and replace it's lost sup
port. He himself sat upon a board pile
on the bank, watching the progress of the
work and giving directions, encouraging
and cheering on the men. This impaired
fresh energy and vigor to every move
ment. He was himself the first toScross,
on horseback, the new structure, to test
its supporting power. By noon he had
passed his entire infantry and artillery
force over, and was in full pursuit, which
was only discontinued when it was totally
out of provisions. -- y ~ 80
FREMoNT's, ACTIVITY.
The activity of the General is increas-
ing. He is rapidly reorganizing his army
for active service, But men who marched
over mountain roads, who forded rivers,
! built bridges and travelled on less than
half rations for four weeks, fighting a
heavy force for nine consecutive days,
need rest and must have it. Ten or fifteen
days at least should be given them. This,
| have reason to believe, Fremont will
give.
WHAT COULD JACKSON EFFECT BY AN
| OTHER RAID! s.
I think, nothing, except hard fighting
and a terrific loss Of life on both sides Il
feel at liberty to say that he will not find
little band of five thousand men and
sixteen pieces of artillery to meet him.
1 can also say that he will meet force
fully equal to his own, as well equipped,
and commanded by Generals who have
fought him, separately or unitedly, a half
dozen or more times, and who know the
valley now as thoroughly as he does. He
has lost his most accomplished cavalry
leaders, Sheets and Ashby. He has lost
nearly whole battery of artillery Fully
one thousand of his best troops have been
killed and fifteen hundred wounded in the
recent engagements in this valley. FIRE.
mont has taken about eight hundred
prisoners So his aggregate losses would
reach total of $500. a
SCENERY IN THE VALLEY.
During our hasty pursuit of Jackson
from Strasburg to Port Republic, there
was but little opportunity afforded fol-
stepping to admire the many charms oi
the scenery in this beautiful valley. Then
the sounds of booming cannon greeted oul
ears at every step; shot, she'll and bullets
few through the air upon their deadlyer,
rands. The ringing of steel, and the
shrieks and the groans of the dying
sounded together the fearful chorus O
DEATH To-day, upon our return, no such
scenes came before us. The lovely valley
stretched before our sight, formed pic
ture such as but few have ever witnessed
The mountain tops seemed lost in tn,
canopy of clouds; the golden sunlight
glancing from the white rocks into tn,
{ many streams, danced in brilliant com
panionship with the sparkling ripples o
the silvery rills.
Away, far off in the distance. they turr
in many fanciful curve, until they hit
away into some sylvan retreat. Fountains
clear as the purest crystal, fling down the
sides of the mountains their copious liba.
tions to noursh the wild flowers that peer
SO sweetly at us in smiles of many bril-
liant hues Where the. hand of war has
not been, we see broad acres of grair
fast ripening for the husbandman's hand
Beautiful houses are scattered in the vale
and on the hill-sides Multitudes of bird.
blend their songs with the soft sighing o
the gentle Winds But the scene is mos
gorgeous in the evening. Then the lofty
mountains are decked with coronets o.
stars; the queen of the night reflects hel
beauties in the streams; huge shadows
|appear and disappear in the valley; lights
are at the windows of the cottages. ant