Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-03-11
Raftsmaa' q JJomrnal.
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE "JouRNAL."
NEWPORT NEWS, Va :, FEB. 25th, 1868.

DhhN Az" to-Noy sohO 'SiSoiS
time, the thought arose, that might beguile
the passing hour by endeavoring to renew
once more, our former acquain tance, which
has become somewhat estranged, by the non-
arrival OF the Journal, for the past six OF sew
en- weeks. Not our fault; it was regularly
mailed.-ED.1
The Journal is ever welcome visitor in
camp, not only to myself but to many others
who have had the pleasure of its acquaintance.
The partIality shown to it (at this eyentiul
time) in the army, is due, perhaps, not from
any particular attraction it may have from
outward appearances above its contemporaries,
but mainly from its devoted attachment to the
cause of Liberty and Humanity, and its un-
compromising hostility to traitors. Not only
to those arrayed in arms in an unholy crusade
against the Government and the laws, but al
to traitors at home-lbose who have not
the moral courage to stake their fortunes with
Davis & Co., but who content themselves with
a meaner warfare, by clandestinely seeking to
render abortive all the efforts of the lawfully
constituted authorities for The suppression of
the rebellion. Let me say that, here III the
army, with only here and there an exception,
every thing in the shape of newspaper is tried
altogether by it's tone on the subject of the
present crisis OF our country. = If its senti
ments square with the great issue at stake,
and in favor of sustaining the Union Of these
States by any and all the legitimate means at
the command of the powers that be, and which
in the past have been cheerfuly accorded
by the loyal n orth, then is il a welcome visi-
tor around the campfire of the soldier radi-
ating his countenaDce with a glow of conf
dence he reflects that, while he has left
kindred and ireside to fight the battles of his
country, he is sustained, and his efforts are
appreciated bS those whom he has left at home
the evidence of which is borne to him iu
every line he peruses in defence of truth and
justice, and in the hearty cooperation which
strictly loyal Journals everywhere, are lend
ing to stay the fearful tide OF treason and ia
naticism which has been seek ing, with hel-
lish Ingenuity, TO wipe out every vestige of
popular Government, and rear upon its ruins,
division, anaI chy, and despotism.
While would thus, in my humble way, en-
deavor to add feeble expression of praise TO
the integrity of the Raffsman's Journal, based
entirely upon the testimony of others, wish
couid say the same in truth, for its neigh
Dor; which, am sorry to add, as gnaged by
the bulk Of the army in this particular locali-
ty, is sadly, if not criminally, deficient in all
those sterling qualities which ought to abound
ia newspaper that makes such frequent and
loud professions of loyalty in times like this,
when the nation is bleeding at every pore ,and
the neble structure of enlightened institutions
is rocking to its foundation. But have been
wandering from the subject which intended
to persue when commenced.
You are doubtless aware that the Reserve
corps has been ord cred to Arlington Nights
to rest, reorg inize, and if possible recruit its
tattered and decmated ranks. We, frag
ment of that corps, most certainly expected
to share its respite but, in which, l am con-
strained to say we have been disappointed.
Contrary to those expectations, we have been
detached therefrom and attached to the 1st
Division, 9th Army Corps,-which had orders
TO ship to Newport News bout the same time
the Reserves received orders to report at AL
exandria. We embarked at Belle Plain on
the 9th instant, on board of some old canal
boats, which being lashed together by two's
formed platform thirty by fifty feet. These
frail transports are very convenient for load
ing and unloading, but are entirely out of the
question in storm and hence, by the time
we reached the bay the wind was too high to
proceed, and we were compelled TO run into
the mouth of St. Mary's river on the Mary
land side of the Potomac tor harbor-ten miles
above Point Lookout. We were detained
here till the evening of the 18th, when, the
wind subsiding, we resumed our voyage, and
by running all night, the dawn of the 14th
found under guns of Fortress Monroe.
Here We remained short time and were then
towed up the Roads to Hampton, the scene of
Magruder's exploits in the programme of trea-
son. At 10 O'Clock on the evening of the l4th
we were once more safely landed on terre
frzna without loss of life or limb, but not
without disgrace attaching to some of our
members, who, with shame be it said, deser-
ted from the boats while anchored at the
mouth OF ST. Mary's river. Whether they all
went on shore with the determ ination of de-
serting the service of their country, is not
detfinateiy known. 1t is thought the pursuit
of whiskey had something to do with some oil
them.
The intention was to march to this place as
soon as we disembarked, and our horses hao
rested little; but when ready to leave vio-
lent storm broke upon US, lasting three days.
and we were de tanned at Hampton sill the zist.
On The morning of that day, the weather De-
ing aDe and clear, we started, With other oal-