Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-05-03
COLU MDlA DEMOCRAT.
John G. Freeze, Local Editor.
WARRENToN Junction, Va,
April Goth 1859.

Col. Freeee The position Of our Bri- !
gsdo is nearly the same as when last
wrote you. McDowells forces are near
Us, among whom are the "Iron Guards"
Officers aud men are we'll and doing finely.
Capt. Ent is spending the day with us.
Thursday last we made reconnaissance
to the Rappahannock; our force consisting
of 5000 infantry, and squadron of caval-
ry, and eight pieces of artillery ; the whole (
nnder the command Lieut.. Col. Bryan OF
the 18th Massachusetts. We waited till
che moon rose, and then proceeded quietly
and cautiously down the Orange & Alex
andria Railroad. Much care was neccs-
sary as Guerilla bands Of the enemy are
continually prowling around, "sooking
whom they may devour." Many of their
cavalry assume citizens dress, and when
pursued escape into some friendly house,
where they sit chatting and smoking when
our men come. This, and their knowledge
of tho country, gives them many advan-
tages. The track along the railroad has
been taken up, and the sills mostly burned
or cut in two. Many of the rails have
been laid on the sills, and the pile fired,
thus bending them until they arc useless
The poor fools forgot that we make rail
road iron in our country, and that to tear
a,p REQUIRES as much labor as to tear down.
The railroad iron used here is called the
AeU" rail as distinguished from the CT"
The road, if a way can be called such,
was miserable; hut darkness charitably
covered many of its detects, much to our
Inconvenience. 1t was nine o'clock Of
Friday when we reached tho vicinity Of
the enemy. Crawling to an emincnco, L
got full view of the cncmy's fortifcation'
Two bands of music were playing, show
ing that they had at least two regiments
there. l suppose they were mounting
guard. The whistle of tie locomotive
could be plainly heard, giving its usual
pcremptory commands of "Forward, "
nBackward,' "Halt,' etc. To our left
and on this side of the river, 8cro some
heavy oarthworks but apparently deserted,
On the opposite side were works much
larger, and in which considerable activity
was displayed. The soldiers were evil
.dently expecting an attack and throwing
Ap new works. To their left were some
Anasked guns, though we could not tell the
number. Still further to tho right, and
ina commanding position was large
house used the Generals Head Quar-
ters, before which some earth works were
4thrown up. The rebels we learned were
under the command Of Gen. Smith, for
mery Street Commissioner ia New York
He commanded the enemy at Balls Bluff
and is said to be most accomplished Off
Ger. 1t wBs no part Of our plan to attacl
them, they having the advantage Of earth
works, river in their front, and superior
numbers However, it was determined tl
draw their fire in order to see what the,
had. Our infantry, cavalry, caissons ant
ambulanccs, woro concealed in q hollow
while Lieut. Godbold section of this Bat
terry, and section of Thompson Batter.
took position to lire az the earthwGrks,-
A section of New York Battery wa
held in reserve, while the task Of shellin
the Generals Head Quarters was assigpe
to my section. The building was tw
miles distant, and slough in range Idecm
ed it prudent to get nearer While NOV
ing towards high ground we saw sootio
of field artillery filing of to the right, a
we supposed for the purpose of aankin
U.s.
Ny guns were placed in hollow on
mile from Gen. Smiths Head Quarters
the right and left ridges protecting U
from raking fire, Our first shot brousl
down man near the house. A few nor
completely riddled the building, and
any were in the oaythworks they left sud
denly. Al this time 80 FOUNDER openc
: on US, but our position prevented us frol
seeing it. We sent for reinforcement
and took position further to the righ
when another section of field guns wei
seen moving along to our right. Has
silly unlimboring, we sent shell att
them, which did the business finely. III
case shot burnt at the proper distanc
knocking the drivers from their horse
and sending the terrified and wouudcd a
imals franticaly across the field, in 4
opposite direction. One poor fellow '
saw get up and limp towards the noigt
boring woods. BY this time a regime
was deployed to our rear as skirmishcr
a 80 !