The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-05-08

CAMP CuANrrLLr Va. April, Goth.

i SAhf ShANIiLLf Va hpfh, ~osn'
Mn. EpIroR.-As some time has elapsed
since have troubled you with any of my scrib
ling, and having a few leisure hours to day
resume my pen thinking few lines from thu
9th, might be interesting to your readers.
noticed by looking over late issue OF your
paper that you have been informed OF our
move from Camp Casey to our present en-
campment, and Of the places aud objects OF
interest that surround US, by another CORE
spoudent. so will omit a repetition. It has
been some FIVE weeks since we came to this
camp. and during that time we have not had
more than two weeks fair weather, which
has made it rather unpleasant doing picket
duty; but the men stand it remarkably we'll.
We have lost but one man since we came to
this ground. The general health Of the reg
imcnt is good. Wehaye had chance to sec
some gray backs since We have been hero
for the cavalry that has been stationed near
Fairfax Court House, have rent out scouting
parties beyond our lines, and captured and
brought in about forty rebels most of them
dressed in citizens clothes, supposed to belong
to q guerilla band, headed by man by tho
name of Mosley, that is making himself no.
torious in these parts just now, the same that
surprised and captured Gen. Stoughton in tho
night some two months since at Fairfax.
There seems to be general movement Of
the army going on; the cavalry under Gen.
Stahel's command have been ordered to the
front, about 10000 in number. The Gen.
and his staff with some four thousand men,
and four pieces Of light artillery went passed
the camp, and Us many more went the same
day over tho Centrevill Turnpike. Their
destination unknown, but thcy supposed they
were going to Shenandoah Valley. Since my
last, Gen. Casey, our division commander,
has been relieved, and Gen. Ambercrombie
takes his place and makes his head quarters
at Centreville- he has been here to day and
reviewed and inspected our brigade. they
made good appearance. We arc looking
every day, and very hopefully expecting, q
great stranger Familiarity known among SOL
diers as the Paymastcr, and instead OF gray
backs, We hope he will bring with him good
roll of green backs, for the boys are getting
extremely short in that very necessary COM
modify, for VIC have not been paid of since
thanksgiving day.
There is vast amount Of speculation hero
in these two regiments, the 25th and 9th
about when our time expires, whether it will
date nine months from the 10th of Sept, the
day appointed for the draft, or DO holden for
nine months from tho time we were mustered
into the U. S. service, which was the 3Oth,
day of Sept. 1862. l have come to the con-
clusion that wo shall know when the time
comes, and if We have to serve 20 days moro
than We expected to when we came out here,
that we are good for it, and no man who loves
and honors our cause should murmer.
The spring has been very cold and back
ward here this season, but it has been warm
and pleasant for week past, and can SEQ
marked change. The fruit trees are put
ting forth their leaves and flowers, and ma
ture is spreading her carpet Of green over tho
fields; and all things seem to DO bursting
into new life! The citizens tell mo that they
have seen cherry and peach trees in full bloom
here in the month Of March.
Wo drill about FIVE hours day in fair
weather, and furnish four companies each
day for picket, two from each regiment out
about one mile towards Manassas. After per-
forming our regular rounds Of duty, the boys
improve the meantime by playing ball with
bat stick and foot, making the time pass
away rapidly. As Il do not think of any
thing more Of Importance to write this time
I will close, but should anything interesting
occur, will inform you at an early date.
S. NJ. s.