Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-01-07
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE JOURNAL.
Ian 1852


WASHINGTON, Jan. l, 1868.
Mr.. EDITOR Thinking the Clearfeld peo
pie might like to hear from their gallant sons
who have left home and kindred and friends
TO uphold the Government and Constitution
established by our fathers, and to maintain
the honor and supremacy of the starry flag,
would ask a corner in your widely circulated
Journal, to record briefly visit made this
evening to the Headquarters of the l49th Reg
iment of Pcnn'a Volunteers. Their quarters
are very snug and comfortable, and better
warmed than many dwelling, with shingled,
instead of canvass roof. found present in
tent visited. Mr.. John N. Chase, Omar
termaster of the Regiment-Mr John l.. Rex.
Quartermaster's Seageat-Mr. Levi L. Tate,
Regmental Postmaster, all of old Clearfield
county as also, Mr.. d. F. Ellsworth, Omar
termaster's Cicrk-aad Mr.. r. S. Nichols,
acting Commissary's Sergeant; the former
of Potter, and the latter of Allegheny conn
ty. All were apparently in perfect health,
nor did see or hear any symptom of dis
content or low spirits. The Regiment has
hitherto been detained chiefly on Provost du-
ty in Washington From what could gather
! should infer that many OF them, at leasr,
would prefer active service in the field against
the rebels, to this comparatively uneventfuI
life. / feel quite confident, that in such ser
Vice they would do honor to themselves, to
the noble old Commonwealth, and 10 the spec
ial counties that gave them birth.
vas kindly invited TO share supper with
them which did, and very fair supper it
was too. We had coffee, beef steak, bread
and mOlasses, with apple pie and Goughnuts,
which are not furnished by the Government;
bu. were contribution from the Quartermas
ter's lady. On the Hhole, the friends at home
may rest assured, that their absent ones are
very comfortable, as regards foVd, and Iodg.
Ing, and the necessares of life.
Should anything special occur worth re.
cording, perhaps, Mr.. Editor, you may get
another iiae from these Headquarters. d. H. B.
CAhP NEAR BELL PLAIN, VA, Dec. %, 1862.
DEAR Row Since the excitement of the
last few days has somewhat abated, propose
10 write once more in acknowledgment of nu.
merous favors, and also in regard to the en-
sagement OF Frederick sburg.
This Division broke camp at Brookes' sta
tion on the morning Of the 9Th. and the same
evening found us in the vicinity of Whitc-O
church-eight miles from our starting point
and four from the Rappahannock. 1t was a
bitter cold day, aud the snow which had fall
len a day or two previous still lay on the
ground, which made it very unpleasant for
spending the night. We remained at this
point till the morning of the 10th, when the
Cd Brigade, with Battery A, was ordered 10
advance to the banks of the river below Fred
ercksburg, to protect the Pontoon corps in
throwing their bridge across the river at that
point. We reached our destination at IL o.
Clock at night, few minutes in advance of
The fontoon train. The 1st and I'd Brigades
followed early the next morning, and by day
hsht Of the llth, the whole Division was on
Tue banks of the river. The Poutooniers
worked like beavers, and by 8 p. M, two
bridges were completed. An hour later one
Division of Smiths corps was thrown rapidly
across the river, for the purpose OF making
reconnaissance in force, to ascertain more ac-
ca'ately, If possible, the position OF the ene-
my. Not meeting with any resistance the
DIVISION, with the exception of one Brigade,
was subsequently, withdrawn to the left bank
OF The river. At daylight on the morning Of
'N 18th, Smiths corps commenced crossing,
and BY p. m. the principal part of Frank.
ms Grand Division was safe on the right
oahs of the river. To better facilitate the
crossing third Pontoon was thrown across at
an early hour, SO that soon we had three col
0nns moving at the same time. For the
u'ehf, this Division was assigned position on
us extreme left, and consequently were o.
'hsed to do picket duty in that direction,
"ui'e the Batteries were moved to the front
asa support.
YER! early on the morning OF the 18th, the