The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-03-04
From the Army.
BELLE PLAIN, Va, Feb. II, Y

sent by kind friends at home, succeeded
in running the gauntlet of our army mail
officials, and worn and travel stained 1t
reached my wandering tent"--a vel
come guest.
Perhaps should have written to you
before; but when there is anything of
interest to write about the soldiers time
is generally occupied. He only has the
necessary leisure fer correspondence, in
tunes Of comparative quiet when past
events have become stale themes, and too
soon, of course, to borrow thunder" from
the approaching storm.
Moreover, thy servant enlisted in a
regiment of strangers-wbose health and
gallant exploits. as well as the good quail
tiles of its otficers--are duly set forth
each week in the papers of the counties
where it was raised. It is not expected
that your readers would BE interested In
detailed account of our adventures, but
they may be pleased to learn that the
regiment, embracing as it does much of
the Intelligence and patriotism of Central
Pennsylvania, is good one and is ably
commanded
We have the honor to belong to Divis-
ion No. /, commanded by Gen. Wads,
worth, formerly of New York. He was
the defeated candidate for Governor there
last fall, was at one time Military Cover
nor of the District, and is now one of the
oldest, ablest and most patriotic GeGer-
ais in the army. He is known here as
one Of The stauncbest friends of the Pres
ident's Emancipation policy. In a word
he is ore Of those Generals who know
what they are fighting for, and whose
"stars' are on the ascendant.
Our Brigade Commander Gen. G. r.
Paul is brisk, active little man, and is
great on review. He averages about
one a week. On these occasions he likes
to see everything in its proper place, and
all right and flies and sputters about,
somewhat after the fashion of an over
neat housewife on scrubbing day.
. Some time ago l had the pleasure of
visiting Capt. Jones boys at Falmouth
where they were doing Provost duty
The boys are all well spoken of by their
officers and comrades. Capt. Jones, it is
said by those capable of judging, is one
Of the very best Captains in the Volun-
teer service; and LIT. Harry Baker, re-
signed on account Of i'll health, bears a
stainless reputation as an officer, aud takes
with HIN the best wishes Of all who know
him.
The first Sunday after our Regiment
came here, [ went with friend to visit
some acquaintances among the Gre
serves" | was not long in finding the
quarters of my cid friend Mark French,
for everybody knew him, and could tell
NE just where he lived. He figures as
Captain Of Co. E, 1st Pa Cavalry. When
| arrived he was away visiting tie "Buck,
tails" but he did not keep me ID waiting
long OF course we had a good time ex-
changing our latest news from Potter, and
talking over old school scenes. The visit
was worth at least one month in the army
leaving out the "drll." Mark makes
good officer. His energy and persever-
ance make difficulties vanish in double
quick. He possesses in a rare degree
the faculty Of attaching men to him, so
indispensable in him who would com
mand. Since my visit there, l have been
told that Mark has resigned on account
of his eyesight, which was in danger of
being entirely ruined should he expose
himself as he must, remaining in the ser,
vice, His place in the Regiment will not
easily be filed. Yet no one can complain,
Mark has done his whole duty, and has
fairly won for himself an honorable name
Yesterday the l49th Reg't p. Y. 1t
Col. w. Dwight commanding, landed at
this point and proceeded about mile and
a half back from the river to Camp. In
the ranks | recognized many famiiar IA
ces, and missed many more. Some | was
told were away at home on furlough, and
others away at their "lons home."-I
Among the latter were some of the no.
blest and best of our Potter boys. They
dropped, and died, the silent tear, in trib-
ute to their memory dimmed many a
manly eye, then the great tide of excite
ment swept along, and amid the rushing
and roaring of great events, they were
forgotten, but not forever, when this cru
el war is over, when again men have time
to think and mediate, then the memory
of these young heroes, and their many
virtues, will spring up again, in the hearts
of their comrades, and be cherished there
among the things that are sacred.
Col. Dwight, and Capt. johnson were
looking we'll Its. Horton, Hoyt and
Reynolds were absent from the regiment,
with leave of course. =
| noticed the men looked remarkably
fresh and healthy, though it was evident