Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-08-05

belongs, left Suffolk on the 2lst OF June, and
on July 4th destroyed the bridges alluded 10.
s'On the morning of the 5th, the detach'
ment returned to Tay lorsyile- Towards
noon preparations were being made to returns
but our forces were not the only ones that
were preparing TO travel towards the White
House. The entire forces of Tay lor, with one
or two exceptions, evinced wonderful par
tiaity to the yankees, and expressed deci-
ded determination 70 accompany them. They
In their turn-in order TO take their effects a
long impressed all the mules and wagons be-
longing TO the estate INTO their service. Many
of the slaves on the surrounding plantations
caught the infection, and soon we had REIN
forcements to the number of two or three hun
dred, and before We lett the place, Taylor and
his choice property--two beautiful quadroons
We're by a little peculiar persnation induced
to go With US. He had driven his wife of
several years ago and having no legitimate
daughters remaining with him, this last move
cleaned out all that remained of the Taylor
family
ssOn the 18th, we arrived at Hampton three
miles from Fortress Monroe. The place has
not improved much, since We were there six
months ago. We remained there till the. l4tb,
when we reembarked for Portsmouth,, arriving
about p. IN. On the 18th, We marched out
to this place, five miles from Portsmouth. on
the southern branch of Elizabeth river. having
travelled by land and water during our alb
sence about $50 miles. w are likely to re-
main here for some time 10 come, as all the
rest of the troops have been sent away-Cor-
coran's command being the last to leave.
The results of the expedition may be sum
med up as follows Captured in all 200 pris-
oners, 80 wagons, about 500 horses and mules,
run off about 1000 negroes, destroyed com.
municatton with Lee, tore up and brought a.
way about 10 miles Of the rails of the West
Point r. Road, and kept considerable force
about Richmond, VIII ich would doubtless 9th
erwise have been sent to reinforce Lee.
The cheering news which has reached us
during the month; OF the fall of Vicksburg
Port Hudson, Getty shurg, from west of the
Mississippi, from Tennessee, from Sherman.
from Drury's Bluff, and the progress of Gil
more at Charleston. have had the m ost inspir-
ltlng effect upon the men, and We begin TO
discern, in the near future, ,unmistaka6le signs
of the end, and if our armies are successful
for the next month, rebellion will be on one
leg. But amidst all our bright anticipations
We have TO bow our heads in shame for the
disgraceful riots which have been instigated
by the Copperheads of New York city, and
other places. Notwithstanding their resist
ance to law, we have the assurance that they
have accomplished nothing of advantage TO
them, and that the draft still goes on, while
many of the dupes of the reasonable teach
ings of the northern traitors will suffer crimi-
nal prosecutions for their pains. Verify ,trea-
son at the North is at discount since the
rebel raid.
Gen. Foster, the new commander of the con
soiidated department of Virginia and North
Carolina, paid us a visit day before yesterday,
and inspected the troops of this Division. He
looks the military chief allsover.
While on the Pininsula we received an or
der transferring this Division from the 9th TO
the Ith Army Corps, and are now the I'd Di-
vision of the 7ih corps. My letter tor its lack
of interest is already to long.
| remain yours truly, w.R. b.