Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-08-06
CORRESPONDENTS OF The JOURNAL"
CAMP NEAR HARRIsoN's LANDiSG. Va.
InlN 0Iln lsE0 c


of reviews Of the different amy corps in as
many different days, there has been nothing
of interest transporting here. within the
scope OF my knowledge. There was a
Grand review of the 5th army corps. Gen.
L. j. Porter's, to which is attached the
Penn+a Reserve corps. 1 was not present on
the occasion, but was told that it was mag
nlhcent affair in every sense of the word.
witnessed the troops as they passed ont of
camp, and the Reserves, Notwithstanding their
decimated ranks, made highly credtable
appearance. The troops were reviewed by
the commander in Chief, who, by his famili-
ariiy with the men in the d tferent comm ands,
is endearing himself more and more to them
Confidence in him is daily increased.
The weather is exceedingly ly warm just now,
yet Notwithstanding, the general health of the
troops is improving. But, from the effect of
the extraordinary fatigue the men have pass
ed through. many are necessarily forced to
give way, and fall victims to disease and
death. 1t is not an unfrequent sight to wit
ness ambulance slowly proceeding towards
the last resting place of the dead followed by
escort of soldiers with arms reversed who.
they return to mother earth all that is
mortal of their companion arms, pay their
last earthly salute to the noble dead b. firing
volley over his grave. However [ am glad
to learn that the list of mortality in the army
is rapidly decreasing free from the
for which this section OF Virginia has always
been noted.
Our army here is ready TO move at any time
towards Richmond, but | doubt not that it
would be much more preferable, if the ranks
could be filled NJ viii goUd reliable men,
with some little opportunity to render them
somewhat efficient by drill, before the word
forward is given. Bat the accounts that
come 10 us from the State not as cheering as
they might be. There does not seem to be
that readiness to enlist as becomes the eXIgen-
cicS of the times, and, unless there is more
energy infused into the whole machinery of
recruiting, fear that a resort will have to be
made draft. Then, woe be to the fellow
upon whose devoted head the hammer may
fall. The shortnesS of the time for which the
men are called, and the demands of patriotism
alone, should, think, be sufficient incen-
tive to supply all demands. There be no
plausible excuse for the thousands OF young
men, unemployed, from enlisting in this glo
rious cause. How many there in Clear
field county who might enhance their reputa
tion by enrolling themselves among the true
patriots of our country, and by their practical
zeal and energy in the common cause, cuIitIe
themselves to the lasting gratitude of
deemed and iappy country. There are also
men of famlies-married men-who might,
without disadvantage to either party, in
sideratiOu of the shortness oI the time for
which they are asked, enlist under their ma
tion's banner To redeem it from the grace
which is sought to be hedped upon its fair
escutcheon. When remember that there
are many stalwart men who barely make both
ends meet, although receiving for their labor
nominally much more than the price paid by
the Government, yet, the difficulty of getting
the same and the manner in which il is got,
leaves very large preponderance in favor of
Uncle Sam, (whose employment for the time
is constantly and in the end amounts to much
III
thing about the one months pay in advance,
S25 Of the bounty, and 50 premium on his
ceptance. II this is not inducemeut enough,
/ know not what is and, III addition to that,
if | understand it Alright, $50 State bounty is
added. W Y, there are as good men in the
field to-day, as can possibly lie in the State Of
Pennsy lyania, who enlisted at the outbreak Of
this rebellion, from patriotism alone, for
years without the knowledge that they would
receive any bounty whatever, or pay in ad
vance-trusting the care Of their families,
while they rushed to their couutfy's defence.
to their country, God. and the generosity of
a liberal and discriminating people. At all
events the men are ed for, and ii behooves
each ard every one to consider his duty in
the premises.
1t is not for me to say whether this army
will delay its advance upon the veiy heart Of
the rebellion till its ranks are filled up, or not.
The present outward indications are, that il
vii not and, if the present unemployed por-
tion of the army already in the field could be
concentrated here, there need be no fears Of
the result. We are yet in hopes that only
short time will eapse ere we will have an OPP
portunity of treadng the sacred soil Of the
boasted Confederate capital Gen. Pope'S
operations give entirely new turn to affairs,
and are hailed with universal JOY the begin
ningof the new order things. Let none who
would like to assist in striking the last great
blow at the monster, stay away; but leaving
behind all minor considerations, hasten TO
join their brothers in arms, and share their
dangers and their glory. w. Il. b.
CAMP NEAR HARRIsoN's LANDING, Va,