The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-06-22
THE SOLDIERS JOURNAL.
LOCAL AND PERSONAL ITEMS.

LOCAL AND PERSONAL ITEMS.
REMARKABLE ESCAPE OF CAvALRY.-On Sat-
urday night last about thirty cavalry, belonging
to the 5th Michigan Custar's Brigade of Sheri-
dams cavalry CORPS entered this camp, they
having been cut off from the main force while
their regiment was charging rebel wagon train
near Louisa Court House. In the charge a divi-
sion of rebels formed across the road in their
rear, effectually blocking their way back to our
lines. They were soon so closely pressed that
they abandoned their horses and sought the
shelter of dense wood where they remained
concealed for two days. They then met some
friendly negroes, who gave them food from their
own scanty supply, and successfully piloted
them, in crcuitous and tedious route through
the enemy's lines, and at the end of four days
they reached Aqua Creek Landing, where they
were taken up by government transport and
carried to Alexandria, reaching this camp after
dark, tired, foot-sore and half-starved. Their
escape certainly remarkable, and is but
another evidence of the training, pluck and en-
durance of our cavalry under their present
dashing commander. In the bulletin of the
Secretary of War of the 18th the fact of these
men being cut off is quoted from the dispatch of
Sheridan, and published elsewhere in this paper,
and he counts them among his loss in prisoners
captured. We are happy in first informing him
of their remarkable escape.
DECREASE IN DEsERTERs.-By a reference to
the report of Lieut. Stewart, in command of De-
serters Barracks, for the week ending June 18th,
it will be seen that at that date there were but
1873 deserters in camp, and at the time of this
writing the number is even less. This is change
for the better, and we do not believe any one
would be sorry if their entire removal from the
camp effected. However, we are glad of
the gradual decrease apparent in the past few
weeks, and would look with anything but plea
sure upon recurrence of the time when too
many barracks were crowded with hundreds of
them, requiring constant and heavy guarding
force, and by the viciousness of some and the
numerous attempts at escape of others, keeping
the vicinity of their camp in rather unpleasant
excitement. Many, against whom there
no serious charges, whose " desertion" was
more the result of accident than of intent have
recently been released and sent to their respec-
tive commands for duty. This plan is good
one and must in most cases effect good in the
released soldier, rendering him grateful for the
Justice and leniency of his government and
thankful for the opportunity to return honorably
to his comrades, and unite with them in the du-
ties and dangers of the service
DURING the past few days barracks 26, q, %
and 20, of this camp, have been completely rem
oyated and fitted up for the accommodation of
| the surplus sick of Augur General Hospital, by
| order of g. L. Sutton, Surgeon in Charge. The
old hunks have been removed and their places
supplied with very fine single cottage bed
steads, there being fifty to each barrack, making
room for two hundred patients in the barracks
thus altered. AS only the convalescing wound
natinntS artn hor fhnro ic