Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-10-01
Tl@E RAFTs61AM's JOURNAL.


Cam NEAR SHAarsBuRa, Nd, Sept. p, 1862.
DEAR Row AS this is tie only time have
had, that could appropriate to letter writing,
since leaving Acquia Greek, will now en-
deavor to give you some account Of the do
ings of the Reserves, in general, during the
time which has elapsed since the date OF my
last letter to you, from the above named place.
will more particularly, confine myself to the
events which have transpired during the past
week, and which, I venture to say, form the
all absorbing topic of conversation at this date
all over the loyal States Of this Union.
After participating in the scenes Of Bull run
No. (which place We reached by marching
night and day-we reached the entertainments
in front of Washington, worn down with ia
tigue, and depressed in spirits. While cogi-
tating upon the results ofthe retrograde move
ment of the past few days, and wondering
what effect it would have upon the progress OF
this rebellion in the future, the tocsin of war
was sounded in an unexpected qnarter-we
thought that the whole of the rebel army was
tional Capitol, and the last great struggle was
not to be tried before the boasted capitol of
the Confederacy, but on the very ground
where the grand army of the Potomac was or
ganized and rendered efficient, by drill, and
sorties into the enemies lines, nine months
ago and more. But the rebel leaders, and
their dusky followers seemed to think other
wise. Inflated by the apparent results that
attended their arms, from the 25th of June to
the I'd of July, on the Peninsula, and the more
subsequent events (Which looked favorable to
their cause) in driving us from the Valley of
the Rapidan, Bull Run, and Fairfax they
conceived the bold project of invading Mary
land, sMy Maryland" and even pushing the
standard of victory far into, what they were
pleased to term sstho enemy's country" where
they thought to revel in the Injuries, and fat
ness of the land thereof. But alas for hu-
man hopes, and human expectation. Their
most luxuriant hopes were doomed to be frus-
trated and their expectations only torment
ing dream. They forgot that the loyal sons
of the loyal States could move with as much
dexterity as themselves. They forgot, that if
ever, at any time, Maryland had manifested
symptoms of a rebelious spirit, she had du-
RUG the past year been in close contact with
those whose hearts and souls looked forward
only to the maintenance of the glorious old
Union of the past and, as necessary conse
quence, had imbibed, to great extent, the
spirit of loyalty and liberty which doomed
forth in thunder tones from the crest of every
mountain top, and coursed smoothly and swift
ly through the meandering wales. The les
sons of the 18th of April, 1861, have not heen
lost to the cause in which we are now bearing
a part. No wonder then, that the doubly
dyed traitors found such cool reception a.
waiting them when they set their feet npon
the soil, which they had echoed in the spirit
of song, among their native hills, as their own.
Scarcely had they made the attempt to cross
the Potomac when the news fed towards
Washington with lightning speed, and in an
incredible short space of time the veteran ar
my which was now massed there received a
new impulse; and before one half knew of
what was going on, the other half was on the
march up the Maryland side of the river.
About seven O'Clock on the evening OF the
9Th, we received orders to move, and by four
miles from Washington on the 7th street road
having marched during the night some ten
miles. The evening of the 18th found us by
easy marches on the west bank of the Mono
cacy, along the National road, at Frederick
Our march was slow, in order that other bod
les OF troops that started after us might reach
the same point about the same time. When
xva va;,,
finished shelling the rebels from the west bank
of the river, where they had been two days be-
fore in considerable force, and had even been
out as far as New market, in force. They had
committed many depredations npon the far
mers and mill owners, who were now right
glad that they had been relieved of such re.
pulsive company. Early Sunday morning the
l4tb, we were again on the march towards
Frederick, and without stopping to rest, or
anything else, pushed rapidly forward towards
the hills to the west of the city from whence the
rebels had just been driven by the mastery
movement of Burnside. We passed on over
this range of mountains, which is about half
way between Frederick and Middletown, and
arrived at the latter place about ten O'Clock
We could see from here, brisk cannonadinr
going on along the road on the side Of the
south mountain. Pushing forward we reach
ed a small stream flowing through the valley,
over which was bridge. which the rebels had
burned to impede our progress. We had TO
make detour to tie left to effect crossing,
which done, We regained the main road and
then halted to rest. We remained here about
an hour and halt. when at about one O'Clock,
the mountains in about miles from this