Year: 1861

eat them. Being too late to start on our nrs duty, we were assigned to another not bit les: dangerous than the first. Wewere placed as sklr mishers in front of the enemy, with two othel companies. It was now dark. A company of Zouaves had already commenced to throw up s breast-work, in which our boys soon went to work oa with will, seeming utterly regardless of the danger that menaced them, even our Cap tain and Lieut.. seized each spade and both by words and actions cheered the men. Right mer- rily the work weut on, some of the boys dividing 1 their time and attention between the breast works anlthe crackers, ie. pies. About midnight | the work was completed, all hands somewhat fa- tigued, but as tho lrishman said when he fell out of second story window into feather bed "Im always in luck, bedad'-so were we, for to our astonishment what should make it's ap- psarance in our midst but quarter of beef. lwoull not have you understand that it cane unaided. Oh, no this is not an age of miracles although the getting seemed like miracle to us. ayes who worked by our side. Noble fellows, too. Where they got that beef, we never en- quiro1, but simply followed the injunctions of Holy Writ, to eat, saying nothing for consciences sake. Soon from numerous fires went up the savory smell of roasting neat and all lough it lacked both salt and pepper was devourel With a gus.o that would have astonished a gourmand. After paying our attention to the meat till every bone was so bare that COW would have been utterly amazed at such proficiency in picking bones; the boys again turned their attention to the now mcneAtariiy expected enemy. With coolness that would have done credit to tried veterans, that little band stood behind their has, tily throws of intrenchmonts awaiting the attack which should it come, they we'll knew must prove fatal to many if not al Not cheek was blanchetl, not sign betokening fear was seen but each seemed determined to obey the com manl they received from an officer to not give up the post but to stand to the lgst. Not a voice was heard save in a low whisper. Now and then some half comic, half serious remarks would call forth g broad grin in spite of the danger that surrounded Us tho very air seemed tainted with rebellion, and the ground We stood cn appeared to work in union with its rebel owner Gen. Lee. Some fifty bushels of wheat were thrown in with the dirt in our entrenchments.

 In the fore part of the night l5 of our Co. were stationed as pcilets in piece Of woods and from which quarter the first attack was expected to be made. Those fifteen men were the nearest approach to the enemys lines of any in the first that would have been attacked by the rebels had We waited for an attack Nor was their po- sition free from danger, for only the night before one Of our pickets in the same line was shot upon his post, and picked up in the morning dead, murdered by some prowler from the enemy's lines. About twenty rods from where two of ou: men stood, there lay dead rebel shot in a si;irasll of the day before. Why he was permit tel to lie there denied the rites of christian buri al, know net An old negro took his shoes for his own private use. Poor fellow There "as, perhaps, even then, anxious ones waiting his return. They knew not that ho lay cold in death on the banks of the Potsmac. Alone and unA2U i6t5

 IL was now nearly three o'clock and no attack. We now concluloa that it would be delayed till daylight in which we were correct, for no enemy made their appearance till after we had gone which Tss about as near as l could judge, half past three. While we were quietly watching, much 10 our surprise the order came to retreat from that vicinity in about double quick tme.- It Va, discovered that the enemy were by far too strong fer our forces, and to retreat was our only resource, which was done in good order leaving nothing as booty to the rebels, except large numbers Of dead swine which the boys served as Fgenchmcn do frogs, using only the best portions of them. The fire was left burning brightly to deceive the enemy, making them be- lcve us to be still tGere, long after the bird had flown. The picllets detailed from our Co. were the last men that were called in.

 l have secn-fe,r-more impressive sights than that midnight retreat, silently and slowly moving under the black siIa>!ow of the hills'-shadows whose gloom the moons faint rays only served to make visible, were to be seen dark sernentine columns of men. Not command was given above hoarse whisper. Not 8 rifle glstened in tho, dim moonlight to tell that we were moving. Not twig broken or a leaf upturned that could De avoided. Silently we glided into boats drawn ilto the deep shade of trees that grew upon the rivers bank Hardly sound was heard to tell that we were crossing the stream, only dark body which bore but faint resemblance to a boat from the number that wera crowded on the decks. was to be seen. Thus did we escape from certain death, for had we remained to ba attacked few of Co., l. would have ever returned to Old Iitclield Co. Just as tho last boat left the shore, man came to the bank and enquired if Wo were of. Being answered in the atfirma- tive, he told us to wait a moment and an invita- ton We did not deem proper to accept. We saw no more of hin. Who or what he was we could only conjecture.

 1t was said about 4,500 men crossed the river that ight. Our company arrived at qi:ar. CTS about daylight. We remained at Edwards For ry couple days, then returned to Daruastown removing nearer the river than before. Weary and almost worn out, Wo were glad to rest Such is the life of sol Her in active service, q

 life of constant change with no assurance that 9 day will find you in the same place. A medley of fun. fact and fancy so to speak. Much has cur company to be thankful for for indeed little thought, when my foot rested on Vas soil that I would return again. Yours, J. W.