Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-08-26
8aftsman's gonrnal.
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE "JouRNAL.n
From Portsmouth, Virginia.
FoRr RENO, Va, August 14th 1868.

FORT KENO, Va, August l4th 1868.
DEAR Row If there is one thing more than
another, which contributes its quota to the
enui which pervades everything in this Sec
ton, which has come under my observation
! it is the shafts of old Sol pouring down upon
the earth with such an intensity, as to force
the thermometer up to 102 in the shade. L
think, that after enduring such an amount of
heat as we have had here during the past two
months, | shall not complain of warm weather
hereafter, wherever may chance to be. If
it is many degrees warmer in front oil Charles
ton, it must be an iron constitution that can
endure much effort, and be who has the phys
ical endurance to bear up successfully under
the pressure is more fortunate than many less
favored. There is no sign, talk, or rumor, of
any move of the troops stationed here at this
time, and it will be an eventful day that brings
the order to 'spaH up stakes'' and 'sright smart
| git'' from our present position. 1t will be
sorry time for ''rcbo' if they ever attempt, the
most insane of all their insane tricks of send
ing force of sufficient strength, to take this
place; for now since our lines have been moy-
ed back twenty miles from Suffolk they would
starve to death before they would get here,
for, with the exception of a short circuit a.
round Portsmouth and N orfolk, there is scarce
ly anything in the shape of subsistence for
man or horse this side of the Blackwater un-
less it has come TO light since the troops left
Suffolk; f; and to haul supplies on wagons suff-
cient to subsist an army would be ont of the
question. But, ''howsomever," as there is
not much danger of such an event transpiring.
it is no use in indulging. in any speculation on
the subject.
About the only thing which tends to ami
mate our boys is the anxiety to hear from
Charleston and the successful efforts of Gen.
Gilmore to reduce that stronghold of treason.
There are many hopes of our early success in
wiping out this rebellion, stak ed upon that is
sne. Many intelligent persons here argue,
that should the present attack on Charleston
prove successful, and our forces be in posses
sion of that place by the last of the present
month, or thereabouts, and by that time the
army of the Potomac augmented SO much by
the arrival of conscripts, as also the armies of
Grant and Rosencrans, and the iron cIads re
licFcd from duty in front of Charleston and
free to act against Mobile or some other i'm
portant point, and all cur forc.s making
combined attack, simultaneously from various
points, the armies of JEFF Davis will be so
hopelessiy crushed as to leave no hope of their
ever being bile to recuperate sufficiently for
further resistance. Should the cousummation
OF this plan he realized, there is no elling of
the immense advantages that would flow there
from-I mearf, If it ould be done this fall
1t would put immediate end to all block
ade running in or out of southern ports, and
then all Europe might recognize the southern
Confederacy if it had a mind to, and yet they
wonld fail to bring the bogus concern back to
vitality.
The copperheads of the north would also be
completely bamboozled out of their occupation
and all their dreams of saving the diUiae iasti-
fulton for their outraged brethren of the south,
with the fond hope of receiving in considera-
tion strength enough to make another infic-
ton on the freemen of th country, such as
Pierce and sold Buck'' will vanish as the
mist. The ludicrous attempt of Sey-
mour Co., to stave of the draft and there
by gain time for the consummation of their
plans, proves this to be the goal of their am
bition. Our soldiers here appreciate this kind
of strategy, and had not these same copper
heads taken advantage of the power they
gained by the absence of these men from home,
and used it against giving the soldiers the
privileges of the elective franchise, they
would teach them a lesson in politics, the COM
ing fall, that would not soon be forgotten en-.
The few Pennsy ylvanians who are here, are
unanimous in favor of Curtin the nominee
fol the GubernatCrial chair, and did the OPP
present itself they would not be
SLOW to prove their feelings by their deeds. |
full, will t as Governor of the State, not of
a locality.
While [ am writing have heard of an ex-
pedition that was sent out from this command,
under Col. Spear, for a reconnaissance towards
Suffolk and Franklin. There has been some |
heavy firing, supposed TO be in that direc- |
tion, but as yet we cannot imagine what it
means; day or two will clear it up.
The health of the troops in this immediate |
siciniiy is tolerably good, considering the
war m weather. The majority of cases are Di- |
lrhea ,superinduced by eating too much green
ood. Yesterday we had very heavy thun- |
Ter storm which had the effect OF cooling the |
.ir considerable. Your favors reach me now /
pretty regularly ,and can assure you they are
luly appreciated, for which, for the present |
.ccept my thanks. Yours truly, ". B. B.
Pensions granted during July; lDvalids, |