The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-11-06
From Our VOIu II G + {.
CAMP NEAR SHARPsBCRG, MD,
Oct0ber 2T. 1862.


THEY ARE DOING, AND HOW THEY ARE DOING
Ir--vARIoUs ITEMS OF INTEREST.
correspondence of The Alleghanian.
We are still here, in camp, but on the
oui uice all the time for orders to move
further into the land of Dixie. We have
had orders for the past FIVE days to keep
two DAYS cooked rations in our haver-
sacks, and be ready to march at a moment S
warning. There appears to &c general
movement of the Army of the Potomac
in the direction of Winchester, and two
successful reconnoissarces across the river
at Shcphardstown have been made by de-
tachmcnts from our division. The gray
backs showed themselves in small bodies,
but generally managed to make safe their
retreat before we came up with them
They invariably prove themselves to be
good runners, except where they have
the advantage Of overrowering odds.
Our camp is located about midway be-
tween Sharpsburg and the Potomac, on a
beautiful piece of table land. The eitua
ton for a summer camp is excellent, but
tor fall or winter it will be just the re-
verse. The country around has been one
of the lest agricultural districts in che
State of Maryland, but at present it is
mere waste. The rich fallows turned up
for wheat prior to the great battle of An
ticfam are now tramplcd down into dust
ana covered with camps, while scarcely a
tence is to be seen for miles around The
soldiers are necessitated to appropriate
the latter for fire wood The geological
is rich and deep, and to judge from exte-
rior appearances, the people enjoyed an
cnviab!e state of prosperity in inhabiting
it. N0r there is not horse or head of
cattle Of any kind TO be seen on any Of the
farms in the ncighborhood, all having
leen appropriated TO the use and bchoof
of the seccsh army or driven away by their
owners. Had Maryland responded to the
call of the country as did Pennsylvania
when her borders were threatened by in
va>iou, she would to-day be many hun
drcds Of thousands of dollars richer but
her apathy and Indifference invited the
& rapacious foe to her domains, aud she has
her reward. Iay she profit by it.
Yesterday was Sunday, and more
8dreary one | never saw. It commenced
4drlzzlng in the morning, and by nine a.
zln. the rain poured down in torrents, the
wind meanwhile blowing furiously from
the northwest. Overcoats and gum blan-
#kets were but slim protection against the
s.combined fury of the clements. The del
ngc will most likely have the effect of
rendering the river unfordable, thereby
preventing either army from attempting
70 cross unless it be on ferries or over !
bridges.
q The 133d arc at all times prepared for
nny emergency. Col. Speakman is labor
Jug aSsiduously to perfect his regiment in
fhe art and science of war. We have |
company drill from till % M bat
faIllon drill from 10 till u; company
prl!l from till 3 p. IN and battalion
Brill from 3 till Csc that we have not
pnuch time to play. Our company is pro-
Dressing rapidly in obtaining knowledge
y the various evolutions pertaining to
military discipline, and will in few weeks
@e an efficient and well-drilled company.
<apt. Jones, and the officers generally,
4 fleet credit upon both the company and
themselves.
We were thrown into quite an ecstasy
happiness on Saturday evening last by
Pc sudden appearance in our midst cf
pur worthy townsmen, Messrs Thomp-
IN, Jones and Humphreys They were
armly greeted by their many friends and
qualntances in camp Besides their
casant countenances, they brought with
EN- many acceptable presents from the
ar ones at home to the soldiers-a fact
Aich materially increased the interest of
e visit.
our chaplain, the Rev Mr. Hartsock.
arrived amongst Us, and is laborinc
''ousiy Tor the moral and spiritual vel