Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-11-20
From the First Delaware.

LETTER No. &c.

CAMP IN FIELD, CuLrEpPER County, VAL
Tuesday Evening, Nov. 10, 1868. !
FRIEND EoKEL;
Migratory in its habits at all
times, the Army Of the Potomac has been peou-
iarly so OF late il is a restless body indeed ;
glad when ikgoes into camp, it reioces when it
receives orders TO march. There is no calcula-
ton to be made as to its location day ahead !;
to-day the men may be industriously fixing up
winter quarters aud preparing to make them
selves comfortable for weeks to lone and to.
morrow they may be Oh longftramp TO find
the enemy, without grumbliug about leaving
log huts and daubed chmneys behind. II is an
organization Us remarkable for its endurance
and elasticity, as the perfect system which
governs it, SETS it in motion and directs 1t with
perfect harmony in all the details of its extensive
and complicated operations in the bivouao and
field. 1t deems II no hardship to arise before day
aud commence march before the frosty edge Of
the atmosphere has been worn off by the rising
sun; to travel twenty miles before night, ford
streams sweep wide extent of country, and lie
down to rest 10 the'open air with knGpsacks for
apillow and fatigue Tor an incentive to sleep.
The following are some of our observations
since leaving camp near Warrent0n:
Saturday. Two problems have been solved by
an order received last night 10 move at an early
hour this morning we had all been specializing
since our halt in camp us to the probabilities OF
our Regiment being sent home to vote aud the
chances Of making winter quarters where We
were : we are no longer in doubt about either
We have dsoreetly abandoned the idea Of going
home, and tbs Army will advance, but the boys
soy with every cartridge they ram, they will in
sert a ticket for Smithers, and should these votes
not count, the cartridges will.
We arose before the East had shown the
slightest tnge and went vigorously to packing,
resorting frequently to the large fire which we
had built up, mindful of the cold coming in the
wake Of the gray dawn. At the appointed hour
the troops were filing over the hills towards the
Railroad which We skirted rs far as Beaton
station which we left on our right; we had an
opportunity of viewing the c.mplele destruction
OF the entire track, which was now being repair
ed with all possible dispatch, as construction
trains, squads of lrishmea and gangs of contra
bands testified.
The wind blew all day and eddied the dust in
our eyes clouds of it were made by the rapidly
passing wagons, batteries of Artillery and long
lines OF ambuances, oil on their way TO Keey's
Ford, where it wns expected there would be
occasion for the employment Of all. 1t was
long march to the Ford, nearly twenty miles,
but we reached it late in the afternoon, to find
that the 81 corps which had been on our ad
vance, had made quite nice little haul Of rebel
prisoners, who filed by us an Artillery duel
was still in progress which made no little noise.
Our boys biVouaced in the woods to wait till the
"a corps had crossed; tired we slept sOundly.
Sunday. Arose at o'clock and prep red to
continue the march for the fifth time within less
than year. We crossed OH pOntoons to the
south bank of the RappHhannOck the stream
though narrow ut this point, is picturesque with
lts abrupt banks, its overbangng trees aud
nelghb0ring hills, the picture receives additional
features from the tall mill house some private
residences aud clust, ring buildings, as though
the mill made the settlement; rifle pits were
abundant along tho shore and incomplete fortf-
cations were upon commanding positions Ar
ullery firing ahead all day; expected u fight
drew up in line oil battle. What q grand
spectacle is that Of an army drawn up in battle
array, or advancing in lines hills aud fields;
the mass Of humanity moves in imposing styles
aud in fine order; the lines are almost mathe-
maIically straight and az they advance, lose none
Oh their regularity; and as the Regiments,
brgades, divisions and Corps press on with
measured tread over bitches, through field and
forest, without losing their alignment, with the
eolors designating their organizations, and the
oayonets gtter.ug, one Can realise what is
meant to be conveyed by the term ''as terrible
as an army with banners" One in this active
service often Witnesses scenes that compensate
him for hours OF toll and priyaiion, aud which
i've In memory when The uuappetsing nature Of
nara tack is forgotten.
Our Division was temporarily detached to-day
and placed in support of the Sd corps this was
at the instance Of old Commander Gen. French,
who is Low in command Of the LIST "a and Sd
corps. Marched as far Us Brandy station which
we left but II few week ago g.; enoamped here, the
weather is becoming colder and over-coats are
brought into requisition
Ionday. Last night had slight sensation of
freezing owing to a deficiency OF blankets,
efawled out to the fire this morning az about
10 hos and uV.I t,a
"Herald' correspondent who often joins our
mess and whose blanket also was unequal to the
purpose of keeping off encroaching cold, seated
before the fire anu writing up his notes by the
nlckering light How shrilly the bugles sound
90 the frosty hour before day; the reyile rings
as II we're, as it admOnishes, from every section
Of tue tented field, the troops that it IL time 10
ue stirring Such din, the peculiar calls of the
Nuleryi cavalry and infantry are heard, and
then the drums and flies are made the instru-
ments of noise, until every one is astr, the thou
SANDS oil camp fires thathad slumbered, brighten
up with fresh additions of fuel and halt-benl
shyering forms stand around them.
Night The day has been quite cold, probably
The coolest of the season, it has showed a little
We have sat aud chartered about the fire in iron
Vi our tent; we have been, idle no movement
OF the troopsi no firing; the enemy it is thought
mas made good time beyond the Rapidan. Thu
ool1 has developed the mems wOOd-craft; las
evening when We reached this spot beautifu
grove two or three acres in extent stood Gbou
tue station, it has now almost entirely dis
appeared, the men must keep warm. How
CHEEKY are these. night camp fires, they are
pleasant element in campaigning; especial,
alter had days march, 10 they impart genia
glow to the mind as we'll es warm the body to
night we are enjoying one on an enlarged seal
III front of our own tent, we have had warn
supper, smoked our pipes or cigars and feel vel