Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-10-05
i 81, :
j. H. r. I'd Serg't. Co. X, S4th Pa. Vol.
CAMP S4rH REG T., p. Y. NEAR Pc
TERsBURG, VA, Sept. 18th, 1864.

e. IL H. IL hoCi l. W. ~: o. 'A'
CAMP S4rH RECT, p. Y. NEAR Pc
TERsBuBG, VA, Sept. 18th, 1864.
Mr.. EDITOR :-Presuming you would
like to hear from the boys of Go. *, S4th
p. v, we have taken the liberty to sketch
some Of our proceedings, and also OF our O.
pinions, concerning passing events, as they
occur in the North.
The present campaign, 50 far, has been
one Of danger and fatigue. Our proximity
TO the earthworks of the enemy, requires al
most constant watching, lest, IN thought
less moment, we receive a rebel pill, III the
shape of Il minnie bali. Lately we have
been constructing new line OF breastworks,
at point nearer Petersburg than that we
previously occupied. We were hidden du-
ring our Operations by a thick wood, this
being partly cleared away, revealed to the as
tonished gaze of the Rebels, a strong de
fence closer than they imagined Company
X, which is composed mostly OF the bone
and Sinew from Clearfield county, we assure
you Is not among the least valiant Of the
brave and hardy soldiers of the old S4th.
We have not felled the tail monarchs Of our
native forest; nor cracked our rife at the
bounding deer, in vain From our early
habits we can now boast of development OF
strength, and precision OF aim, which are
excellent auXiliaries in prosecuting the will
ing task Of uprootinG treason from the soil
of our beloved Country. 1t will be need
less to dwell graphically on our late battles,
skirmiShes and hair-breadth escapes of life
nor Of the way the old ID Corps lately drnb-
bed the stubborn Rebs as the war correspon-
dents have already posted you fully on this
subject. Let it suffice, to assure our friends
and former neighbors, that the work goes
bravcly on. We are pinching the John
nies by conining them to their present rat
holes. Soon we will have them in fair po
sition
''To lay it on sure but very rough,
Then cursed be he that crieth, hold, enoughh
The intention of Co X, with the other
veteran Companies Of the S4th, is to fight
this wicked rebellion to the bitter end-that
is. till the vOtarics of Secession renounce
their treason, or bite the dust.
Nothing would please lis more, at this
stage of the conflict, than to know that we
had the hearty approval Of all Ill our dear
Mountain home. We want aid and com
fort especially from there. Not material aid,
forthe Government Is doing the 'falr thing,
but we want words OF good cheer, and would
like to see such movements politically, that
would assure us that loyalty to the cause for
which we are periling life, exists IN Clear
UGId NOltltN lll uiiGOtiiNtNti lLiCtlculA' " VIZ
we persuaded such WAS the case, we think
our conquest would be more rapid. Like
those Of Israel against the Amelekites,
whilstthe arm Of Moses was upheld by hls
aids the Soldiers fought and prevailed, but
when he was unsupported by them, Israel
lost ground We too, need your hearty
good wishes, and the prayers OF the honest
men. In the name Of our good cause, our
Stars and Strips, let us have them.
IF we are to believe what we hear, we fear
there is but slight grounds to crow very
loudly over the loyalty OF certain districts III
Clearield county. That internal blight, that
prevails where Copperheads abound, seems
to breathe It's contagious from many treach-
erous heart. OF tins we have strong intl-
mations from the late election returns from
Clearfeld. Is it possible that our county
should have so far forgotten her debt OF
gratitude to the defenders Of the country, as
40 proclaim at her polls, that the war worn,
self.sacrifcing soldier shall be denied the
dearest privilege of freemen-the right to
cast his vote at the ballot box? Alas It's
even so. .'Oh shame, where Is thy blush.
1t requires little effort to believe that the
.'hard-shell cusses, who polled such IA vote,
must have no shame-are clear gone III this
respect. And as there remains no hope OF
our winning them back to yiItuous patr1-
OtlSnl. we VIII Try 10 cancer UuSlr NoUeS III INC
coming campaign, by our votes, and thus
counteract the evil they would do.
We hope there may be no truth IN the re-
mort that some of these wtworthles are or
nanizine bands to resist the draft in Clear
field. If such prove to be the case, Compa-
nv X will earnestly petition the authorities
of the War Department to be allowed to
form part of the force that shall be sent 10
carry out the United States laws. We will
lead the van against such traitors, and then,
with unsparing hand and unpltying eye,
their treason shall cost them dear. Arrant
knayes and towards they yEare-unwiling to
defend the country that protects them, ana
foo '.pigeonlivere to declare for the south
and 6eht under its banner Dlsunlon at
home seems to be their aim. Well, their
dav of reckoning is not far off; and let them
bear in mind that its penalty may descend
in fierce retribution, to children 5 children
The glowing villainy of some OF these cop
perheads looms up in Its most f1agrant as
pect. when contemplated by us from the ten
ted field. To think that men, who. IN the
first outbreak of this rebellion, imagining II
would be a bloodess war, used lntemperate
haste to procure for their sons positions
lsnch as Majors, Lit Colonies and other com,
missioned Offices but soon as 1t was Ioulio
the conflict was to be severe one, these
babes in war" resigned their commissions