Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-02-05
WAsHINGToN. d. c., Jan. 81, 1862.

EDITOR JOURNAL DEAR SIR: AS your read
ers have a special interest in several of the
regiments in this locality, will give You a
few facts in relation to things as they now are
here, and the position OF the regiments in
which Clearfield county is represented.
The Bucktails, (under their new Col, Nc
Neal,) and the 5th, Col. Simmons,) are on
the extreme right wing of the army across the
Potomac; in the Penn'a Reserve Corps, in
command of Gen. Mccall They are distant
from Washington ten or twelve miles, by way
of Georgetown and the Chain Bridge. Be
tween McCall's Division on the right, and Gen.
HentzeIman's on the extreme left, is about
twenty miles. Gen. Porter has command Of
the centre Division, opposite Washington, in
the neighborhood of Falls Church. supply
train OF the Alexandria and Leesburg Rail
Road runs to a station near Falls church,
twelve or fifteen miles from Alexandria.
The country is rolling with considerable
wood land, mostly, small hard wood; bat the
Union troops have terribly pr0fGHef the ''Sa-
cred Soil.' The timber is nearly all cut down,
to furnish winter quarters and fuel for the
army aud there is scarcely fence to be seen
along the whole line. Roads pass in any re-
qured direction, through fields or orchards.
In Gen. Heintzlemau'S Division. south of
Alexandria, is the 105th (Wild Cat) regiment
commanded by Col. Mcknight, who has the
reputation of being efficient officer. In
tDlS regiment CIcalHGlu Is wen represented,
though at the present time, much b1tter by
men than officers. Camp Jameson, $50 named
after their BrigadIer GEM is on the left OF
the road leading from Alexandria to Mt. Yer
non; and nearly opposite, about halt mile
distant, is Fort Lyon; the most extensive
defensive work on the Potomac 1t is not
finished though there are about sixty cannons
mounted, froH24 to 80 FOUNDERS The quar-
tcrs inside, aud the Magazines, are being
made SHELF proof but from present appearan-
ces it is not likely the rebels will ever get
near enough to try its defensive properties.
On a hill opposite, just in the rear of AleXan-
dria is Fort Ellsworth, another new work.
The house in which Col. Ellsworth was shot,
is an oldfashioned building on a corner of the
main street. 1t is now occupied by soldiers.
The stairs upon which he was standing when
shot, and the stair railing, and most of the
landing is gone ; no doubs taken as memen-
tos by the curious. A part of the door cheek
ing where Jackson stood is cut away also.
few pieces of loose. boards are laid on the
platform to pass to the room opposite the
stairs, which is occupied by an Am mbrotypist,
and no doubt the location is profitable, as
there is great recourse of visitors to the spot.
To the north of Washington two or three
miles is the camp of the 4th Pa. cavalry, (Col
Campbell) in which believe Clearfield county
is also represented. Part of the regiment is
now doing duty as mounted patrol in the city
OF Washington, taking the place of Col. Rnsh's
Lancers, also from Penna.
The weather here, for sometime past, has
been rainy, with occasionally little snow
and sleet by way of variety. The roads and
camps in consequence are about six inches
deep with mud. IL is so universal that 1t Is
useless to try to escape it, and the only way
to get along is to Wade through The city also
is in terrible condition. The mud is thor
oughiy mixed, about the consistency of Buck
wheat batter and stands level on the street
from two to ten inches deep. The only term
which will describe the state OF things here is