Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-02-26
CLEARFIELD, FEB. 20, 1862.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE "JouRNAL.'
CAMP CAMPBELL, Washington, D. G. !


in the u. S. Service, | have not seen any from
this camp, and will therefore intrude upon
your columns to let your readers know what
we are doing down here and what we expect
10 do.
This regiment (the 4th Pa Cavalry is COM
posed of two companies from Pittsburg two
from WestmorelaRd co; four from Vanango
Gin one of which are few from Ciearfield)
one from Lebanon and one from Luzerne; be-
sides q squadron which has been for some time
detached from the regimeat. Our camp is on
"Meridan Hill,'' about two miles to the north
of the city, on the seventh street road. There
is a very fine view of the city from the camp,
and of the river below as far as Alexandra.
The regiment has been here since October
the last company belonging lit, having come
in in November.
We live in the common canvass tents, placed
upon foundation of poles or split logs about
three feet high, with the cracks plastered with
mud. Some of the Field officers have log
cabins built, and rooted with boards-about
like lumberman's cabin in the woods. In
front of each row of company tents is the
stable constructed of posts set in the ground,
and rooted with boards sioplng each way. 1t is
wide enough for two rows of horses, with the
manger in the centre.
To the west of our camp-a small run inter
vening is Columbian College, now in use as
Hospital. Near it, in field used as drill
ground and for reviews, the Government is
putting up large frame Hospital on plan
recently adopted. 1t will soon be completed.
The main or central part is about three hun
dred feet in length, and on each side alternate
ly, wings or wards project nearly one hundl ed
feet-the open space on one side opposite the
wing on the other, that they are all in a
manner separate, yet all connected by the CEN
trail part or Hail. No doubt ii is being pre-
pared for the great battle, which will probably
be on the Potomac.
IL.
Pittsburg. He commanded Infantry regi-
ment in the three months service and appears
now to be applying himself closely to the
Cavalry tactics. The regiment is divided into
three Battalions--each commanded by a
Major. The one commanding the Venango
Battalion, is Jas. X. Kerr of Franklin, known
to many of your county. If he is as good in
the practice, as he is apt in the theory OF his
new profession, would not fear to fight under
his command.
To-day the presentation OF the State flag to
this regiment, and also to the 3lst, by Gov
ernor Curtin, took place at the camp OF the
latter, (camp Giaham) about three miles from
here. The day was very dsagreeable, having
commenced to snow in the morning and con-
tinued on till late in the afternooE-blowing
into our faces rode along. On the way
we passed by the ssSoldiers Home''-and Just
beyond, another, the volunteers burying
ground which is already tho home of many
brave fellow who, no doubt, expected to live to
''tell his battles DER again" The ground is
enclosed by paling fence, and contains several
acres. Already good portion OF it is filed,
nearly all the regiments in this locality bury
their dead in it. AT the head of each grave is
little board with the name, regiment, and
date of death on 1t. la passing along, the
regularity of the rows of head boards, looked
like corn stubbe projecting through the snow.
Alter passing one of the many forts lately
erected for the defence the CITY. on which
several cannon were mounted, we came to
camp Graham. We found battery of artil-
lery already on the ground, 90 pieces.) We
formed in line on the field, and the Governor
not having yet arrived, the officers were invit-
ed into the camp OF the 3lst-where, in a
large tent re freshments were provided for them
In a short time the word came to join the line,
the Governor had came. The Infantry was
formed in line in the centre. The lary on
the left fired the customary salute on the ar
rival OF the COmmandeT-iu iu-chcf of the Penn'a
volunteers. The officers formed three sides of
4 square facing in (the cavalry and artillery
officers mounted,l and a presentation address
was made by member OF the Penn'a Legisla-
ture, who accompanied the Governor. In his
address he announced the gratifying intei-
gence Of the capture of Fort Donelson at
which it was difficult to repress a cheer. The
response on behalf of the Colonels was made
by Mr.. Bgham, also member OF the Legisla-
ture. At the close of his remarks, cheer after
cheer went up with will-the Band playing
''The Star Spangled Banner.'' Our banner is
the ssCoat OF Arms Of PeDn'a on blue field
ON the scroll above, 64th reg't Peun'a vol.
and below, 4th Penn'a cavalry. The border
is trimmed with yellow silk fringe. The In
fantry flag is large; having the stripes, but in
stead of the stars on the blue field, it has the
Penn'a coat 9t arms, ard the mem ber of the
reg't-also trimmed with yellow fringe. The
Coloneis handed them to their respective
bearers, and We wheeled by divisions and
marched towards camp. On the way we
met furneral escort of infantry, with arms
reversed, preceding a conveyance on which
were two cofhns-two more soldiers going to
their long home. Our regiment is remark ably
healthy at present-theTe not being twenty on
the sick list ; and most of these convalescing
One squadron of our regiment is at present
in Washington on Patrol duty, under the Pro-
vost Marshal, (Gen. Porter.) 1t is said that
our regiment was placed in his brigade from
Gen. Paimers, for the pursose of being used
for that kind of duty. But this does not please
the most of the men, for they would rather be
sent where they could be in active service.
We still entertain hope being among the
ones selected to reinforce Gen. Buel in KY,
or Gen. Hunter in Missouri.
1t is almost impossible to make an advance
movement here at present, for the reason that
as one of the speakers said to-day, ssnature
laid an embargo on it, 1t has been so wet
anu inuuoy tiial we nave not oeen aoIe 10 drill
much since December last. Tonight there is |
about three inches of snow. Probably day
or two will melt it and we will have mud
about as usual. 1t had dried up enough so |
that, within the last few days, we had began |
TO resume the usual drill. Our reg't is fully |
equipped, except some horses which we are |
choice IN selecting. There are numbers in |
the Government Corral in Washington. but |
they do not suit us. Each man, in addition to |
the cavalry sabre, has one of Colts Navy re-
yolving Pistols, (six shooters); and ten car