Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-02-07
Army Correspondence
CAMP NEAR BELLE PLANE, Va.
January 23d, 1868.


Since my last letter q
fovorte movement of our Generals been
made; viz: an 0dUlRce reuriCard. Orders
were issued to the Army OF the Potomac
to be ready to march on last Sa urday,
but the movement wis postponed uulll
Tuesday. Those of u who hold subordi-
nate positions had no idea rs to the point
to be attacked, butt was with lorebodlngs
Of i'll success that we pulled out from our
snug quarters, anticipating a speedy re
turn We let them remain undisturbed.
The weather up TO Tuesday had been
remarkably good, but on that day the sky
became overcast, and heavy storm threat
ened.
rbe Left Grand Division (Franklin's)
moved through fields ana untrequented
woods to position formerly occupied by
Summers Grand Division, and encamped
not far iron the river. But then was
proved the adnge "man proposes, but God
disp0ses = ~ sooR a'ter uigbttail the
heavens commenced to weep Il, it is tears
would prevent the intended sacrifice. The
men biyouced on the wet gcound aud
many a man Will da:e bis Rheumatism and
broken health from that night he poor
horses shivcrcd in the cold rain
deeper in the mud by their Efforts to keep
opt OF it. aud nejghed pi(ully as if in aP.
peal to hcartIcss masters. Poor bruIes !
the following day hundred hresthed their
last, in efforts to cxtricate themselves from
bottomless mud.
Morning came, hut az if in protest the
an still descended. The men were wet
: et must move forward the horses were
uG1t for service. yet must 60 on. be
pUpto0ns remaihed in the mud, and could
not be got along; the wagon traius re-
msin in their tracks. and the artillery only
got through the worst places Ivy ruttiug
from ten to twenty horses to piece II
il impossIhlc 10 give you 'iue idea OIL
Virginia mud. 1t is not niuI, but more
combination Of mirc aud quick sapd.-
When he horses got in too deep, they
were shot to end tLcir hi cry. When the
msn gaze out from exhaustion, less merc
. full thGn to the brutes, they laid them aside
in the mud and covered them with blank
, rt
Notwibftaudns superhuma efforts, no
crossing could be effected. The enemy
had strong force on the opposite side
lhe river rose rapid y.-the bluffs were
inaccessible our men could not all reach
rhc river,--nnd even if across could not
/ uanwuvre artillery,
You therefore see the iupo os5bility OF
carrying olt the plan OF attack, VIII ch WIS
/ 20 threaten at various points. and cross
tae main boly above Frederick burg so
n5 to attack the enemy on their flank and
roar.
On Tuesday Cen burnside Issued or,
dcrs to the troops, Informing them that
they were again TO attack the enemy, now
weakened hg the forces sent to North ar
DINA aud the West, and calling upon them
to IN kc another effort to give the enemy
an overwhelming defeat. Ii IS a slgnl-
cant fact at no enthusiasm was mani
tested until the order was given to return
10 camp.
Yesterday and to day. those who could
executed this order, with rcpi'i'lon o
the difficulties Of the advance. In fac
the roads were ro,Se. The army occn-
pied or wW occupy when it can move, the
SAM positions as before.
The enemy tauntcd Us as much as The,
could. A arge canvass was displayed or
tic opposite side Of the river, barring tn
ward, "Durnsdes stuck in the mud,
, They asked "Why don t you lay you'
pontoorsg Shall we send detail and as
,i,t you!' You can imagine the etec
5 upon US. .,,r,,er