Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-02-25
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE @youRNAL."
HEADQUARTERS lsT MARYLAEE CAVALRY, /
Stafford G. House Va, Feb. 13, 1863.

HebnSy ISan1ans IN the vicinity OF faimoth-
whom found comfortably quartered in good
wigwams of their own construction, with plen-
ty of grub, blankets, etc. They all seem in
good spirits, and are ready for another fray
when fighting Joe gets ready to try his hand.
During the day rode down to tie river
one bank of which is lined with blue breeches,
and the other with gray backs within a stones
throw of each other. Men, on either bank,
could be seen reading papers as unconcerned-
ly as if no enemy were within ten miles. The
position occupied, furnished a splendid view
of the recent battle ground with its miles of
rife-pits, chains of forts, and stone walls used
by the rebels for breast-works. Our brave
men wrested many of these from the enemy,
by driving them back from the first tier thro'
the town to the second, and from their second
chain OF Notifications to the third but the
| third proved to their overtaxed natures too
hard nut to be cracked. They had gained
much ground had whipped and driven back
| the enemy, but at what cost The desimated
ranks of the Penn'a Regiments visited, too
plainly told the expense of the partial advan-
| tage gained. The brave old Penn'a Reserves
corps, the gallant 105th, the invincible old
| 57th, the noble 62d, and many others, pre-
sent but sorry appearance now to their for
mer proud and invncible selves-yet every
man left Is, and feel himself hero.
! While L stood contemplating that blood
stained field and thinking of the many tears
that had been shed-the many hopes crushed,
and how much suffering had been endured,
my revery was suddenly broken by gray
back calling from the opposite side to lad
who sat near me engaged in reading paper,
81 say, Blue breeches, what is the news from
| Yanke edom 90 ssNot very much except un-
der the head of Southern news, it is said that
while one species of gray backs begin to grow
weak in the knees and faint hearted. down a.
| bout Richmond, the other kind is fast filing
| up their regiments without resorting to con
| scription ; and, judging from the manner they
pitch in, they intend to prey upon poor hu-
manity SO long as there is any flesh upon his
bones" A pause. "When, does your paper
say, the war is going to end, Gray back ?''
| "Why, next summer, when JEFF moves into
| the White House at Washington Where
| upon, Yank exclaimed-ssby gracious Gabri-
e's trump will toot taps before JEFF makes
| that move.' Here, both settled back into
their former easy positions, and were soon en-
| gagged with the contents of their respective
| papers.
The army is being fast spirited away from
this vicinity, but where it goes have met
none who pretend to know. Yours, c. Ell
|
| ALEXANDRIA, VA, FEB. II. 1868.
Mr.. Row:-One of the boys showed me
what was called "a Soldiers letter." in the
CisartieH Republican, to Gen. Patton. 1 don't
like it. If ever soldier wrote it, he wasn't
much of Union man. He thinks we are
wrong and the rebels about right. That's
just the kind of talk that brought on the war.
The rebels thought the North would be divi-
ded and would back down, and give 'em all
they asked. But they got ssucked in,'' didn't
they7 If that soldier likes them so well l
think he'd better go down and fight for them
If he isn't too ssgooss livered' to fight at all.
l don't pretend to be much of chap to argue,
but think if we hadn't had any slavery and
| Slaveholding politicians, we shouldn't have
had any war. And think the quicker slavery
is wiped out, tooth and toe nail, the quicker
We'll have lasting peace. 1t looks to me
reasonable, that tits no use warning on the re-
bellion unless we get lick at the cause of the
rebellion; and that's slavery, and toadying
| to it. l am willing to give the South all their
rights, but amt willing to give 'em
that fellow is-I'd fight to the last man first.
And 1 believe in making the niger help us
all he can. He says they are lazy and good
for nothing. Why shouldn't thay be, when
they kept in bondage and ignorance all
their lives, and despised. Woudn we white
folks be so too in such case 1 tell you
what it never did look right to me to see these
big, stout, healthy fellows laying round idle
and not allowed to go into the army, when we
have to enlist and be drafted and dig and do
all the drudgery that they are just fit for. If
ssthe war is on their account, why not let them
help if they are willing; and if not make
them help carry it on. They can dig and
drive team and cut wood and wait on the
sick (and do all that work which takes half
the army to do) just well or better than
we. / tell you, when I see our boys digging
and growing pale and fairly dying in the
trenches, and see these big. brawny blacks
lying round in the shade, feel half mad
And. If it must be, be lieye they will fight a
good deal better than that fellow says he can
And why should we care who licks the rebels
if they are only licked right savage don't
Haven't they done right we'll under Gen.
Hunter and Col. Higgins, and in every place
where they give 'em a chance and treat 'em
half decent
But, commenced to talk about what that
fellow says of Gen. Patton. Ho kinder in