The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-12-19

S1Ou, on tn0 AcQuid OIeeA 1Sdoolug anu
Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad
The evening was clear aud the Autumn
rays of the sun fell sweetly upon the little
brook that flowed southwark to the pleasant
Rappahannock while the trees lifted their
green crowns to the skies and waved TO and
fro and saluted the whistling wind as it sped
on to the East. All was silent. save that
familiar yell Of the Hoosiers which fills the
ear of every soldier with admiration, and
each one feeling that this is one OF the calm
glories Of soldiers life. We made preps
ratioDs for the nights reposs. Alter We
had pitched our little canvased mansions,
we made our coffee. and after taking some
hard crackers with it. spread our blankets
for nap. The night was still, and the
" silver light of the moon with the many
fires that blazed around the encampmeni,
lit up the coun,enances ct the boys with
leok bordering on ferocity. There could
be seen around some OF the fires. some half
dozen boys singing some favorite song, as
I" Mcclellan, is the man." and echoes would
reach the far. of recesses of the forests, as
the sound raised and swelled on the night
winds.
A word about the young McClelen
Perhaps no commander of army. has
more indellibly placed his affections in the
memories OF hi, soldiers that will not soon
be effaced as decrepit old age steals over
them, many will chant bis name with some
gleeiul song, as they did while lying In
camp in their youthful days in the army of
the Potomac. In short the soldier loved
and revered Mcclellan. the willy politician
and mercenary correspondents, to the con-
irary notwithstanding.
This part Of the country is noted for its
tt lex groves of cedars and pines, some of
which are SO lhickly densiied that 10 is
almost impossible for any one TO crawl on
his hands and knees through them, ar ID the
green tops are matted together closely
that the birds can hardly penetrate tie
branches til atmosphere is filed with
sweet pertumery OF the leaves. The old
deserted farms ere next in view-not rail
is to he seen in the whole country around,
and no one can tell what has become of
them but the soldier, who had many cup
OF coffee made or their burning Goals
Once in a while. there is nice finished
house standing alone in the commons--the
inhabitants all left at the approach Of our
army, probably for Fredericksburg or Cor
louisville for protection. The hoases look
as though the inmates had just stepped out
on a visit. There stand the neatly arranged
iurniture--,be silk curtains are still hanging
in the window, while the sides of the wall
are flied with lie sized pictures of the
family and restives--in the parlor is the
sweet toned piano, with many noted ballads
lying on the top. But a few yards from
this beautiful MANSION, is situated an old log
shanty in which his slaves dwelt. All the
old negroes that are not worth any thing,
are lett to do the best they can. AS We
approached the old shanty, an antc old
negro comes out, raises hat, and gives a
very charming bow about the first word
that fell from his delicate lips. in the old
Virginia style: "Yaw yaw neber
seen SO many sogers in all de days OBJ my
l thinks you alls enuft TO eat up
de sofe." Which is rather natural thought
for any man, who has seen the army of the |
Potomac.
Our army is in the vicinity Of Fredericks- /
burg under the command of General Burn
sides, who fills the sentiments Of the West.
We are here waiting for the word {" for
ward" our cannon are planted on this side
If the river, which overlook the city all
eady to send the deatbly missiles bowling
trough the ranks of the enemy. This army
8 divided into three grand divisions the
eft-the right, and the centre. The right /
commanded by Sumner. the centre by
hooker. and the left by Franklin /: while
'igel forms the reserve corps. Our division
5 commanded by Doubleday, in the first
rmy corps. Our brigade is called the big
lat brigade. because we are the ouly brigade
hat has got big hats. and is composed of
Western men. The names Of the regiments
re: 24:h Michigan. I'd. 9th and 7th, Wis
onsin, and the 18Th Indiana, and is com
,andad nv LONG Sol " no was formerly
colonel of the 10 h, and who, by meri,ori-
us conduct, was promoted to Brigadier
and who, we think, is worthy Of
lis command. Yours truly,
F. NJ H.
OIL " Al