The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-04-02
Army Correspondence.

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Head Quarters GID Regiment.
CAMP NEAR WINCHESTER,
Monday, March 18th. 1852.
Dear Spi'st:-Our regiment left Camp
Cacapon on Sunday the 9th for this place,
where We arrived on Friday the l4th.
We remained on the cars three days. the
fourth day we left the cars and marched
nine miles and eucampea tive miles this
side Of Martinsburg. The next morning
we started from this place, ls miles where
we arrived at o'clock in tho evening
completely tired down.
Duriug the march hundreds of blankets
and knapsacks were thrown away by the
men. they being too heavy to carry.
Winchester is Ave miles south of this
camp. Jackson's army is encamped be.
tween Winchester and Strasburg Stras-
burg is ]9 miles from Winchester.
This morning received the s.Spirits"
of the 18th. There is no news here
worth writing. the troops are lying in
Camp doing nothing but eating and sleep.
ing. I am unable to say when we will
move, there is rumor in Camp this morn.
ing that we will march to-day, but there
is nothing reliable in Camp rumors
Our tents and baggage have not reach,
ed US yet, consequently we have to camp
in the open air with nothing over US but
our blankets. Notwithstanding the ex-
posure never enjoyed better health in
my life.
Friday, March 2lst, 1862.
At II O'Clock on Tuesday evening Col.
Pond received orders to be ready to march
at 6 o'c ock Wednesday morning, the regi
ment took up the line of march toward
Winchester, when within two miles of the
town the Brigades were formed, our Regi
mens being in the 2nd Brigade.
In about an hour the whole force start.
ed. it consisted of the Ist, End and 3rd
Brigades of Infantry, in all 1000 men;
40 pieces of ARTILLERY and 1000 Cavalry
We marched through the town of Vim
chester, Inn town. New.town and Middle
town.. When within fou: miles of Stras-
burg we observed dense smoke ar sing
10 front, which was asc.rtainsd to be from
q bridge across Cedar creek which the
Secesh had set oa FIRE; they being Ia full
retreat. The forces were brought to an
open order for the purpose of allowing
the A-rtillery to pass. In q few moments
th3y came laundering BY, the horse run
ding at the top of their speed; but they
we're two late, the bridge was q total ruin
before they arrived and the Secesh had
fed. That night We encamped near the
bridge, and the next morning crossed
over on the ruins, which we're lying in the
water When within y mile of Strasburg
the Secesh commenced firing toward our
forces, with shot and shell, but they all
fell short. The Artillery again went for
ward and was planted on the hill one mile
beyond the town.
The different Brigades were here drawn
up in line of battle; the lst aanked to
the left, the 3rd to the right and the 2nd
which the 62nd has been placed, brought
up the center, in the rear of the Artillery,
for the purpose Of supporting it. The
Artillery now opened n The Secesh who
we're drawn up in an tpe, field, q miles
distant, from 10 8 thousand strong, but
il was no 60. they rtfased TO stand. and
fed like scared devils. Our Cavaly pur-
sued aad succeeded in CAPTURING two of
them. @ ta F
Gen. Shields was on the 6eld surround
cd by his s.af. The General appeared
as unconcerued as it he was just arrang-
ing his toilet for q tea party.
The forces encamped for the night on
what would have been the battle ground,
had the brave chivalry stood their ground.
Thursday morning. OF 10 o'clock, we
started for Winchester, or our old camp,
where we arrived at 8 o'clock in the even
lag, having marched 25 miles / never
saw men 80 completely tired down in my
| life; the fence corners were strewn with
them ell along the road. and nothing
whatever to eat. their supply OF crackers
and meat having given out the morning
of the second day. laa s. 81 Esz
This Friday morning finds nearly all of
the regiment in camp After resting few
days oil will be right again. OF two
things we are satisfied, that there is no
fight in the Sscesh. aud that the Stars
and Stripes wave over Winchester aud
Ssrasburg. a.s Y sG
Yours, &C., HEN
The Whisky Rebellion.