Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-08-24

CLEARFIELD, PA. AUG. "a. 1864.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE JOURNAL.
Letter from near Petersburg.
HEADQUARTERS Bat \ lst Pa. Light Ar
Fort Converse Va Ann 2d lSEt

4 J
! DEAR Row For some time past have
been promising myself to write to you again,
| and let you know Of our whereabouts. at
| least but for some apparently unexplaina-
BILE cause, L have permitted time after time,
and week after week to pass unimproved,
Tor that purpose. But. perhaps you have
heard. from some other source, of our change
of base, from the peace and quiet of Ports
mouth to the more animating scenes of the
front; from the comparative idleness we
have INDUCED in, for more than year, to
the probability of yet having something to
do, ere peace and quiet shall spread her
mantle over the land. | WILL however to
keep up the record of events connect
ed with Us, and which may be of inter
est to s'me, briefly sketch the account of
our transf +, to the vicinity of this place
We had just commenced building sub
stantial quarters, for ourselves, foolishly
thinking, | suppose. that We would certain
ly pass another winter there-which idea
the men, to their credit be it said strenu-
ously opposed-when 10 on the 3Oth of
June an order was received directing Us to
report, with the least possible delay, to the
Headquarters Of Maj. Gen Butler, near
Bermuda Hundred, Va. M time was to
be lost, and we Immediately stored all sur
plus baggage, camp and garrison equippage,
which would be an incumbrance in the field,
and by noon Of the same day, had our guns,
carriages, and part Of our horses on board
transports, which Immediately after, start
ed towards their destination BY some mis-
management, several of our horses aud
mules, which were deprived of transporta-
ton the first day, were delayed for two days
longer, when they ware allowed 10 embark
on the mail boat plying between Norfolk and
Fortress Honroe. and there change boats for
Bermuda Hundred By noon Of the 4th of
July we had the Battery complete in camp,
at Point of Rocks Point of Rocks is a
bout FIVE miles from Bermuda Hundred and
six from City Point. 1t is a very healthy
place, being about seventy-tive feet above
the level of the AppomattoX. The Corps
Hospital for the 18th and part of the 10th
corps is here, on a prominent knoll at least
one hundred feet above the river. 1t
is capable of accommodating seven hundred
patients, and nearly that number daily re-
ceive treatment there. Chronic diarrhea, and
typhoid fever are the prevailing diseases,
but since we have been here comparatively
few cases have terminated fatally
The Sanitary and Christian Commissions,
have each an agency connected with the
Hospital, who dispense their stores with
liberal hand-the former attends to the
physical comforts of the soldier, both sick
and well the latter attends to both physi
cal and spiritual 1t would be invidious to
discriminate between the services of these
two great benefactors for they are invalua
bic, and the prominence of their present po-
s;tion in the army is destined to fill large
space in the history of this war The agen-
cies are indefatigable in their efforts to dis
cover the wants of the sick and wounded,
and prompt to relieve them. The Sanitary
Commission reaches the able bodied soldier
through the different Commissaries, with
whom they deposit all kinds of vegetables,
which are issued regularly iii proportionate
ratious TO the men These vegetables are
principally autiscorbutics, and the effect
they have in preventing sickness is really
surprising. The work of the Christian
Commi. sion is no less important The
faithful agents connected with it, are ever
ready to minister TO the spiritual wants of
all, and spread broadcast throughout the
camps, an almost increditable amount of
wholesome reading matter, which. under the
blessing of an All-wise God is destined to
produce good results. The efficient manner
in which these commissions have been sus-
tanned in their arduous duties in the field,
by the people of the Northern States, will
be lasting monument to their generosity,
and shows more plainly than words can ex
press, the interest they feel in the welfare
of the soldier.
We left Point of Rocks on 9th July, |
aud moved across the Appomattox to this
iort 1t is one mile higher up the river and
opposite Port Watthall, and is now strong
work on three sides with ditch and abattis, |
but at present is not an important work,
owing to its distance from the enemy's lines. |
Petersburg is five miles from here and when
it is not too smoky the tops of the principal
houses are plainly visible.
The blowing up of the mine, and the ter