Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-05-05
ARMY C0RRESP0EDENCE,
CAMP NEAR BURKEsvILLE JUNCTION, Va, !
April 22d, 1865.

MR. EDIT0K When leaving Bedford, /
promised to let you hear from me, and this
is the first opportunity of making my word
good. On account of unusual delays in rail
road transportation, determined to go via
Baltimore instead of Washington, and took
passage thence on board of the steamer Ade
laide. We weighed anchor about 81 P. NJ,
and steamed slowly down the harbor for the
broad Chesapeake. just as we were bidding
adieu to the Monumental City we cast our
eyes in the advance to see what OF interest
we might be nearing, when we caught sight of
our glorious old flag proudly floating in the
breeze of ''Free Maryland" from the flag
staff of Fort McHenry.
The evening being foggy, night soon came
| on and much to our discontinue hid from
view all objects of interest to US. We now
began to feel lonely, for all without was hid
den, and all on board were strangers The
passengers were mostly soldiers, officers, suit
lers, merchants, and few ladies, who were
on their way to Norfolk, Va. Being tired we
soon retreated from the crowd to our state
room to receive rest from natures sweet re-
storer.n Morning dawned with a cold, strong
| breeze. Just now breakfast call was sounded
when all rushed for the dining saloon Soon
the crowd was seen returning, some laughing,
and some angry, and some showing smile of
approval for the fun that was evidently on
hand. The whole was satisfactorily accoun-
ted for by learning that the crowd were all
''April fools" it being the first OF April.
Steamers and all kinds of craft were seen
lying at anchor, which gave evidence of our
near approach to Fortress Monroe. Here we
landed about o'clock At II A. NJ, we
took passage on board of the steamer Tran
sit for City Point. During the passage up the
James, there was much of interest that might
be noted, but first in importance was Newport
News, the place of the memorable fight be-
tween the Union wooden war ships and the
rebel iron-clad Merrimac, when thanks to an
overuling Providence the noble little Monitor
and her bold crew came to the rescue. James
town, that early settlement familiar in history
to every school boy was also passed on the
way up the river.
Ate o'clock we arrived at City Point, the
great base of the armies then operating a.
gainst Richmond. A perfect wilderness of
masts was there to be seen at this place. The
United States Military Railroad commences
here and over it were carried forward the sup
plies of the Army of the Potomac. Arriving
at the extremity of this road we were imme-
diately re-initiated into the horrors of war.
The roar of cannon, the fierce rattle of mus
bStry, the yell of charging squadrons, and the
groans of the wounded and dying were all
heard that night These things all told us
that the sons of freedom were following the
rebel horde beyond their deserted trenches,
and dealing the death blow to the shareholders
rebellion
Sunday and Monday were spent in wander
ing through exciting and horrible scenes, in
search of the 81st P. v, to which we had
been appointed chaplain. On the evening of
Monday we found the 81st and received a
hearty welcome. If soldiers are generally or
too often outbrealsingly wicked, you seldom
find that niggardly hypocrisy that too often
makes greater claims, though undeservedly so
to gentlemanly qualities. For the next week
ong marches and hard fighting were the
daily programme, up to Lees surrender.
One day our brigade fought the retreating foe
in line of battle, over Is miles. In the eve
ming just as the shades of night were begin
ming to gather, our boys crowned the hard
fought day by charge on the wagon train,
which they captured. The train was filed
with all manner of property, both public and
Observation-Disclosures Dutch-ovens, Corn,
Corn-meal, (which the rebs use in place of
our hard tack) Clothing of all kinds, Whis-
ky, le-jack, &c. All these things that
suited the fancy or convenience of the boys
was freely appropriated, especially the two
last named articles. On the next day our
regiment went into charge with 116 men,
and came out with 3S. Forty-seyen were
captured and the rest killed and wounded
The 81st has seen as hard and done as good
service as any other regiment in the army.
Having blythe blessing of God, been sue
cessful in subduing armed treason, the sol
diers expect soon to get home and help to
punish the mean and cowardly sympathizers
of the North. For example, the crowd from
which ]. Wilkes Booth and his pack have
sprung.
Yours, truly,