Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1864-07-02
Letter from the Potomac.

MUDDY BRANCH, NO., Aoo1'
EDrroR JoURSAL:-A solitary traveller, wander
ing on the green tow,path Of that romantic arti-
fetal stream, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
might observe, some twenty miles from Wash
ington, lookout on the top of frame building,
on the opposite side of the aforesaid "raging
canawl." That lookout is one of the outposts
of the Cavalry Camp, Upper Potomac, COM
manded by Major D. W C. Thompson. Farther
up in the hills, the sides of which Spring has
covered with green grass, green leaves and beau
tiful flowers, is a very neat, compact, little en-
campment, whose streets are laid out in regular
order, and bordered with clean tents Green
cedars mark the outlines of the streets and sur
round the enclosure. Farther off, a stiff abattis
runs around, preventing surprise from any
daring band of rebels, who often cross the Po-
tomac into this generally quiet country, for the
purpose of obtaining horses, which just now are
much needed by the Confederatcs. From these
hills we look on the Potomac, whose fame of
olden time has been enriched by strife and bat
Ito oflatcr,years. The Potomac, in many of its
phases, reminds one of the beautiful streams of
California; 1t has its. small islands and its
chaotic masses- high rock its banks are
guarded by-huge walls of stonci often reaching
upwards-to wonderful nights.
The different fnrds of this river offer desirable
opportunities of escape to stragglers and desert
ers from the Army of the Potomac, and to re-
fugees and describes from the ConfederateS, as
we'll as to desperate guerrilias, who covet the
horses of the farmers. This camp has been es-
tablished for several months and garrisonod by n
battalion from our regiment. Recently our Bat
talon was ordered here to relieve the Sd Bat
talon. Since coming here We have had the
pleasure of returning to the service stockholders
in great quantities. In many instances these
men have been cut off from their regiments, and
have strdyed along the Potomac, hiding from
bushwhackers and looking for Union camps.
A part of our duty is to prevent contraband
trade, rebel mail carrying and spying. We cap
turcd one of the last gentry some two weeks ago.
Citizen horsc-thicves also abound in this vicini-
/ y. In this part of Maryland all is peace and
| quiet, comparatively. No excitement keeps
awake and we look for newspapers with great
anxiety.
The recent operations Of Grant have surprised
the loyal people we'll the Confcderates
The failure of our armies, heretofore, to make
any footing far south of the Potomac had almost
persuaded them that some other entrance into
Richmond should be sought. Now, however,
that Grant has not only advanced, but has
secured position for himself and Butler sat
himself down so near the gates of Richmond,
and repuised n severe attack of Beauregard,
folks incline to believe that Grants eagles will
fly onward till peace is re-established and the re-
belion ended.
bicb hoe baa1 Iy but,- notp han
it was worth. Lee has found master at last
end his army been disheartened by disastrous re-
pulses and obstinate resistance. All his old
strategy end manGuyers have been either foled
or taken advantage of by Grant Every day
brings us cheering and confrmatory evidence OF
our success.
In the first weeks battle the whole division OF
Pennsylvania Reserves was surrounded almost
completely. Two hours more would have scaled
its fate. The vigilance of its commander saved
1.-TWO regiments, however, being unable to
escape. In one of them, the 18th, which like
the remaining Reserves, has made reputation
for itself lost two brothers, either killed or
captured. They old soldiers, who fought
on the Peninsula under Mcclellan and escaped
without hurt Their time has been up since two
weeks past, but their regiment was needed and
they were willing to 90 and see the fight out.
The North is determined to stand by the Adj
ministraton and afford all its strength for the
winding up of the Regiment after regiment
pours into Washington, with bands playing and
coors flying, its members ready for any duty,
whether in the peaccablc defenscs OF Washing
ton, or in the active field. Renforccments suf-
fciert TO cover Grants losses are already in the
field, and the Government has at its disposal
many more to meet any disaster. One thing
seems determined on-the fall of Richmond
The Grand Army clamorS for it the people de
sire it. That theater of much horror and
/
starved and murdered comrades demand it.
The negro soldiers have already adopted the
new battle cry" Remember Fort Pillow" and
with great effect. Forrest will ere long have
reason to deplore his nhumanity.
Prisoners brought from the front are generally
satisfied with the change in their position, and
/ the treatment of rebel wounded in our hospitals
will eIectually cure most of them of the prelu-
dices which ignorance and the false teachings of
| others have created.
| Col. Lowell has been trying to have us dis
mounted and sent as infantry to the front, but
Secretary Stanton says the I'd Massachusetts
| Cavalry is doing we'll enough where it is
/ think SO too. Another years service like the
past would obiteratc the old California Battalion.
We have had no chance to distinguish ourselves
/ in general engagements. but we have served
/ pretty we'll rs marks for the bushwhackers and
gucrrillas Of Western Virginia We console
ourselves with the knowledge that we haze killed
and captured more of the rascals than they have
! of us. Yours, ever, f.
| JonN CocHRAyE, the Cleveland nominee for
Vice-President, was summarily dismissed from
the U. S: service. The following was the order :
HEADQUARTERS Army OF THE POTOMAC
| January %, 1864.
General Order No. g.
Fourth-It being evident that the following named officer
be of further to this he
duty. aud will in