Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-22

The following extracts from private letter
from member of the fifteenth regiment, will
be read here with interest, although it does
not speak of the latest movements of the reg
iment. We see nothing in it which may not
now be printed without offense to any rule OF
the war department. 1t speaks only of "past
acts" and gives no clue to what is going ON
at present -
We left Poolesville, the 10th of February,
about 10 A. NJ, not knowing our destination
We marched thirteen miles, with occasional
halts, till dark when we halted tor the night,
near the banks OF the Monocacy river, at thes
base OF a high mountain. We slept ON the
ground with our blankets for covering, as we
could not take our tents at the time we left.
Next morning the drums called us into line.
Long before day break marched two hours,
bringing US to Adamstown. Some OF the boys
fell from exhaustion on the long march, aud
others were Obliged TO throw away some of
their luggage. | brought everything l started
with l weighed myself before starting, with
all my equipments, and weighed 1872 lbs; and
without them | weighed 1893. just uy it,
and travel off two miles or more without stop
ping,-perhaps you would enjoy it, | am
ready 10 carry it through Virginia, ii we can
clear the track as we go. l hope the rebels
will not run, but give us Il chance 10 whip them
on the spot. Alter some little delay ut Ad-
amstown, in loading baggage, &C., we took the
cars for Harpers Ferry, passing through Point
Of Rocks, Berlin and other places. The brig
AIDE is composed of the second and thirty
fourth New York, first Minnesota, and fifteenth
Massachusetts, commanded by Cen German.
We crossed to llarper's Ferry ON a pontoon
bridge, which was thrown across hear the
place where the rebels burned the bridge. We
quartered in store over night where, among
other things, we found secesh ledger, of
which l send you page or two The rebels
have made sad havoc in this place. But few
houses are left. The arsenal, large hotel, and
many other buildings are burnt. The engine
house. where John Brown was taken, is near
us. | enclose small piece Of wood which |
cut from the inside OF the door (; 1.-THE outside
is plated with iron,l also, small bit of sash,
from the window over the door. Gems. Nc
Clellan, Banks, and others are here. Their
quarters are opposite the store where our
company stop We cheered our brave COM
mander as he passed, which he acknowledged
with bow and smile The scenery here is
beautiful. The view from some OF these grand
high bluffs is most magnificent. Troops have
been crossing the river yesterday and today.
do not know how many there are here, but
l think the rebels will see more stars than ]
do in your letters, when we start for them.
{ Halls Town, March 6-Our company
was detailed to come to this place to protect
| private property, as great depredations have
been committed on poultry, sheep, hogs, and
other property. We have sent out scouting
parties, who have arrested quite a number of
the thieves and sent them to headquarters. l
think there is stronger Union sentiment
here than IN Maryland. The great masses of
the people are Tejoiced at the presence Of
the Union army. Men come from distance
TO see 1t they can saye guard to stay with
them to protect their premises. They offer to
board them or do most any thing to have them
go. Their horses are stolen, sheep and hogs
shot IN the fields, and portions of them carried
away, and The remainder left to rot We will
soon put an end to this state of things The
people here are constantly showing us acts of
Kindness. The owner of a -four mill here told
US to go to his mills and take flour when we
wanted it. The only store in the place is near
~ empty, and has been Tor some time Flour
is plenty, but sugar and groceries OF all kinds
are very scarce Salt is fifty cents quart.
One man brought us four horse load of straw
for little salt out OF our pork barrel.
Several men from this place have been
pressed into the rebel service. One man who
has wife and four children here effected his
escape from Richmond, and arrived here two
days since. He is blacksmith, and has been
working on guns at Richmond. He says they
have turned out from six to eight hundred
| mODtn SINCE last november, Ihe machinery
they use is some they took from Harper's Fer.
ry. He spoke of there being many Union
men in Richmond, who have not dared as yet
to show themselves as such. Our advancing
army will soon give them liberty of speech
and action.
Our government bonds will pass here quick
enough. Southern scrip has small circua
lalion, but will not long. Paper is another az.
tlcle that is very scarce here. This is fine
country grand views from the heights. The
memorable Charestown is about four miles
MARCH l2th-Our first night in BerryyilIe
was was passed In the open air. 1t began to rain
I r1 uark' and continued a part OF the night.
lhere was not much fun in trying 10 slesn I
, assure you. We had no fires as tbey wopd
agulie Tor the rebels to throw shell on ,s
AS we advanced to this place, we disroyer S'
some OF the rebel cavalry. We hall ard
our artillery threw IA shell which scS,,a "nJ
them. think we might have csptured ' aSn,t
oOO OF Tue rebels, II we had not fred ,ho ,'o,
nor. They started Tor Winchester a, soon r'' y.
they knew Of our approach. 1t amuses me TO