The Portland daily press., 1864-02-15
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from Virginia.
U. S. Signal Station, Cedar Mt, Va
Friday. Feb. <. 1864.


To the Editor Of the Press:
II has been long time since have written
yon anything concerning my whereabouts,
but being at this time little more at leisure
l will send you a few lines in relation to what
is passing around us. We are situated on the
extreme right of the Army of the Potomac,
and this is a kind of outpost and withal a
rather pleasant place, and not altogether
without interest. 1t was on the north
side OF this mountain that Gen. Banks, with
only 1000 troops was attacked by Gen. Stone
wall Jackson, and although the contest was
short 1t was very severe, Gen. Banks having
450 killed, 660 wounded and lost 290 prisoners.
He however held his position and the rebels
fell back some two miles and did not renew
the contest. This fight took place August
10th, 1862, almost eighteen months ago, and
yet there are many evidences of the hard
fought battle. You can see scattered around
very earelessly, old knapsacks, clothing, parts
OF broken wagons, gun carriages, dc.
A soldiers life is at times somewhat dull
and monotonous, but this is not one Of the
dull places nor is the present dull time, for
occupying as we do this mountain, we can
look down on our neighbors and see what
they are about; either our own troops as they
stretch away towards Brandy Station and so
on to the Rappahannock, or we turn our eyes
the other way and we see the rebel camps al
iho1b az Jul iSCt, Ahcl away W OItll1t
Court House, and on towards Gordonsville.
And as our business is ito keep an eye on
passing events" we are justified in watching
our neighbors rather closely. Gen. A. Z. Hills
Corps occupies the hills opposite to us, about
two or three miles away, and the Division d-
rectly in our front and nearest TO us is under
the command of Gen. Anderson. We receive
visits every day from some of the rebel sol
diers, and they all forget to return after they
have nada us short call md, 81. arIs
Culpepper, where are the headquarters of the
lst Corps. Last Tuesday six came in togeth-
er: they belonged TO the Sth Mississippi reg
iment; five of these were from the same COM
pany. l had long talk with these men, and
they told very fair story. One of them said
he had been in the rebel army three years, and
a few days ago he was informed that he had
been conscripted during the war, and that
none are allowed to go home on furloughs.
His story is about the same as the one told
by most of the deserters, that the rebel gov
ernment has not made good single one of
the many promises made their troops that at
this time they get but little TO eat and less OF
wear.
The rebels get very fair rations when their
officer can get them for them, but at this time
nothing is to be had in the country here, and
but very little comes to them from Richmond
They have shoes for about one half the troops
and those on picket wear them, leaving few
pairs OF the poorest ones for those to wear who
go out after wood. 1t requires some pluck to
desert from the rebels now aId come into our
lines. and especially if it is a cold night as the
water in the Rapidan is from four to five feet
deep and very cold, and then walk of some
two miles up here or into the headquarters of
the lst Brigade, I'd Division, lst A. G. at
Mitchell's Staten, who are the only Infantry
troops here.
1t is very interesting TO watch the changes
that take place within sight of Lookout. We
have glasses that give us view for twenty
miles around. To-day you look away over on
those hill-sides and you see them covered with
tents, not tres near them. On those same
hil-sides two weeks ago there stood a heavy
growth OF oak and hickory. One day we saw
smoke coming up over the tree-tops, soon
little openings were seen, and in few days
more the tents could be seen among the re-
naming trees. 1t is almost astonishing TO see
how many acres of fine growth Of wood and
timber are cut here in few days for fuel and
to build houses with.
One day you see smooth, beautiful field,
and the next day you look and a rfle-pit runs
across the field. Lunettes have been thrown
up and a battery is in position and ready for
service. Wednesday morning we had a visit
from seven colored men who left Orange Court
House the evening before. One of them was
10 A-eNhASNhh hAS hfCQ
Richmond and is barbar by trade. He says
business is first rate in Richmond and high
prices are paid for labor as well as for food.
He has been having one dollar for shaving and
two dollars for hair-cutting. He paid $500 for
The boots he had on, and for coat, pants, vest,
de-, in proportion. Contrabands are coming
ia very freely as the rebels are conscrpting
blacks as we'll as whites and are putting them
into the Quarternaster's department for team
sters, guard, &c, and every white private goes
into the ranks.
We want more men and | am glad more
men are called for. Now let those who have
been at home all this time making money, en-
ioying themselves with their families and
friends, come into the field and help finish up
this war. How can you ask those who have
been here two years already, to re-enlst, when
you have never served a single day in the
army. Come, young men, come and share in
the rewards that await those who crush the
rebellion. "KENToN."