Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-01-09

/ Friday We marched about five miles and en-
camped about noon. Saturday We marched
to Fairfax. Here we had the pleasure Of
meeting with number of friends of The 62d
Ohio and among them Capt. PuFdy, Of Della
ware, who was acting Provost Marshal Of the
town.
We left Fairfax Sunday uerning supposing
that cur destination was Fredericks burg. The
read vas terrible muddy ard eat in hub deep
in some places. We had large force Of pioo-
eers 10 advance repairing the read and eg'-
ting q new way beside the old where it proved
impossible. N5udaT night found Us some six
teea or eighteen miles rem Fairfax. Tuesday
morning about O'Clock a cold, heavy rain
set in The first iGtinaticn We had OF falling
weather was a disagreeabIe sensation some
thing Ike the falling OF water dashed into
your face. We woke up, palied our blankets
over our heads and went 70 sleep again. But
at daylight sge were ol.ged TO get up and
from that time uusil o O'Clock, when the rain
ceased w. zaars staHGi-g about taking il with
Us much grace as such set Of poor devils
could command Oar Brigade being in the
rear to-day it was boon before we moved from
the encampmeut a. al three O'Clock p. m. We
were still within sight Of the spot We had bi-
voGaced .uron tie night before. The advance
of the Division moved some four or fve miles
aud eBcamped. We worked hard and faith
fully with our train but uiEht cane on and
We were not over hall way to the camp and
could get 40 farther. We bivouaced near the
road side. The next morning We were ordered
/ TO about aud march back over the road We had
Just came. Various reasons were assigned for
( the move bu; the most plausible was that a
/ body of Confederate caralry were threatening
IA raid upou several points in the rear. Back
We went, and had passed our camping ground
/ Of Monday night about mile when the three
! Oa;o Regimeats were ordered 10 return to
/ Damtrees and ho'd jhe place 1t being lste
J IN The afternoon We bivouaced near by for the
night.
Thursday moraiEg we marched to our post.
/ We esJabii.hei cur camp near the town and
are making ourselves as comfortable as posi-
4 ble under the circumstances. The men have
Fixed ,heit bivoGaes so as 10 shelter them from
the weather TO a considerable extent, but they
should have the protection Of good tents ie
such season. Fer my ovu part have beer
1 getting along after fashion. After 1 lad
pitched my ten ] concluded that l must bave
some way 10 warm 1t. went to town ard
eoafscatsd an old steve and ore joint OF pipe
! (all chat 1 could fnd) 1 set up my stove aid
started fire. The fire. made heat aud made
smoke too. Part of tie smoke went cut OF
the tent, but ewing to the BID 81 OF the pipe
and The many hoes in ii, part remaine, in
The wiuI bleH very hard aud drove great
! proportion Of the smoke thai went out back
J into he tent So that most Of the time the
smoke was thick enough to slice with cheese
! kHiie. But AL that is nothing after you get
used to it" Occasionally severe gust o
wind would sead the fame from my stove nutil
it would remind me OF lie fiery serpent and
raised srch cloud q asites that [ would IN
cline to the opinion that his snakesbip vas
irritated and-c.s venting lis ire by throwing
/ dust III llaY eges.'' There Is relief iaost
Of the ira1s5I-s that hGmrns ars su6ject TO,
and mine came finally. The wind fell and We
are now tolsFabIy comfortable.
The town Of Dumfrees IS a misarably poor
forsaken looking place. Nearly ail tLe build
iags are old and falling 10 decay. Ii is about
IIL5 miles iron the Potomac River and about
i mics from Shipping Point. Authorities
differ as to who sctt!ed the town, soule say
ing that the Scotch Coyenanters and others
that the French located it in l704. 1t Is evil
dent that at an early day it was place Of
considerable Importance aud business ard was
at one time tiie county seat of Prince William
County. TIE citizens say that the surrounding
couutry was once quite fertile, but it is worn
cut and now almost worthless. This Is
the country you have heard Of where the dogs
lean against a fence OF tree when they attempt
10 bark.
Cockpit Point, the locality made eonspicu-
GUS il the history OF the Blockade Of The
lower Potomac,' IS situated lew miles up the
river from here. We had the privilege of ex-
aiming some o: the rebel Qualifications aDd
quarters there, while on the read TO this point.
It was strong place and great source Of
trouble 10 oar authorities until the metal Of
the gun boats vas brought to bear on it.
It is uncertain how lorg we will remain here
but we are inclined to hope that SO long as it
IS necessary to keep a force at this point we
may be uudisturbed, for we have soldiegcd long
enough to loose that vain curiosity or spirit of
discomfort entertained while in camp by many
More anon.
I SAW.