Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-06-04
Letter from the Potomac.

EDITOR JOURNAL we nave Spring at last,
but in such varigated style as to render it un-
certain to a conner in Virginia whether it be
Spring or Winter. Cold rains and clustering
winds are frequent. Sometimes question the
economy Of the policy of Government in en-
deavoring to reclaim the Old Dominion. When
remember the dear old climate of California. the
health and vigor growing from it, say to myself
| all the riches Of the Golden State would not in
ducc ME to live here. Pleasant antic:pations
increase daily of visits of rheumatism, fever and
ague, bilious complaints, and their inevitable
eoncoTiitants Of quininc, calomel etc What
glorious country for young NEEDS. to practice in,
| if inspired only by 4 passion for their art but
what lanlentable one, If they thirst after filthy
iucrc. Doctors are as plenty here rs Coionels
and Generals were in the old peace times.
! But the movements in armies are not SYM
bo,ized by those of Spring in the way Of bIus;c-.
The roads have been so badly cut up by heavy
rains as TO MOI admit of speedy movement The
Army of the Potomac is in good spirits, fall OF
hope and energy. and greatly strengthened by
| Reorganization and recruits. Everything is il
readiness for action soon as the weather al
.nits. Before you read this you will have heard
! of numerous and important victories by |. 5.
| Grant OR disastrous retreats by Lee, who Is
weakening at the same time valuable posts in tn a.,
! Southwest, so as to keep Grant back. 1t may
bc that fvnts will only be made here by the eae-
my, and that sudden descent VIII be made on
East Tennessee or in the Southwest. Under alt
circumstances. however, it is the opinion of good
military Judges that the Union armies, at all
points arc prepared. 30 we i've IN goo,. ct,c
that the celebrated " backbone y will be broken
before the trees grow yellow again
a strong scout returned to camp yesterday,
having been ont four days among the bush
whackers who were in strong force along the
line of march, but could not be pnrsuaded to n
| field fight. Consequently, the CIlifornians took
10 the brush themselves. natural as ducks to
water and succeeded in bringing in tweHty-seyen
prisoners, as many horses and three wagons. be
sides carrying internally wholesome variety of
grub. Company i made successful rad on
! two large boxes of tobacco. consigned to Il
Lieutenant III Moscby's Battalion. The boys arc
wagging thcir jaws over cheap tobacco to-day
Owing to the nature of the country there was
bnt little chance for regular fight The rebels
had to be hunted down and then shot cap
turcd. Some Of them fought desperately when
hr$ght to bay. Sergeant Clark, of Company
/ l.. California Battalion. came across one OF the
! latter and was diSmounting to disarm him, when
his foot slipped and he fell on his back. The
rebel took advantage Of this accident to shoot
| Clark in the abdomen, MORALLY. Clark. how
| ever, maintained his presence of mind until he
brcathcd his last, his last act being to return the
compliment. Both died, of course Clark is
we'll and iayorably known il his district in Cali
fornia, quiet. honest, patriotic man. He
was brave as we'll and willingly gave M his life.
another martyr to Il sacred cause.
If had time and ability, ! could send many
amusing incidents that occur during these raids.
| 7 7 Gould 70
you If lid not know how modest journalist
you However, | viii risk it
Our Battalion WAS out or a raid, searching
houses, taking stragglcr5 from Lee army and
picking up horses from the enemy generally
Sergeant Howe, of Company H. was ordered to
search house near hv ana proceeded witt dc
tail Of FIVE men 20 perform the duty. They went
through the house, having been in all the rooms
but ore and finding nothing, when noticing this
room one of the boys Suggested m entrance. \
lady now came to the spot and hcsou@ht the
boys not to 90 in, as her sister had just been de-
livcrcd OF child. Polite rs the soldiers were,
their duty was greater, and they went ia, and
| found two other ladies in bel closely huddlcl
together. But the pile looked rather large for
two and the boys felt themselves reluctantly
compelled to examine more closely. The sequel
was remarkable. A big fellow Of go pounds
! lay in :ha same bed. head downward, lis great.
n,; feet near the delicate n0strils Of TIC lidlcs
One inpudent soldier said 1t was a big baby,
rather two big for the two. even whcreat JOHNNY
Rcb. and the ladies, aud the boys. al llugicd
long and loudly. Hcb. Q. u.
These fellows take curious ways to hide them
selves and halt at nothing that affords a chance
Of escape. | know of one instance where 4
female bounced out of her bed as the men went
in and cody took her position on piece of bed
room furniture, hoping to attack the nlolcs:y of
the boys, but it no GO and the bed gave up
its CORNERSTONE big rebel
We arc expecting to 90 to the 'front.' Shcrtly.
Yet may be kept at the old business Of bush
whacking for while Tins POST is an imror-
tant one, and had better BE- left in hands "ccuS-
toned to its necessities and duties. Health
good-wcathcr cool-take my intention for acts.
E3Y