Year: 1863

CAMP FAIRFAX, VA.


January 3, 1862


Mr. EDITOR: Our military life since we
left our snug and ease-begetting quarters at
Camp Vermont has not been one of dull mo-
notonous routine, nor devoid of interest


Gen Stoughton had scarcely assumed COM
mand of this brigade when orders came to
pack up and be ready to march the next
morning. The orders came Dec. II, and by
five o'clock on the morning of the 18th we
were ready for the march to Fairfax Court
House and Centerville. In the early after
noon of that day this regiment bivouacked
in beautiful pine grove nearly mile to the
north of Fairfax c. H. The other regiments
were in close proximity save the 10th which
was ordered out to Centerville at once to do
picket duty. Though housed in shelter tents
the air was so bland and genial that very lit
tie discomfort was experienced for the first
nights. We had not chosen site for per-
manent encampment when we were ordered
to relieve the 10Th regiment in doing picket
duty. The march of eight miles was in many
respects highly interesting. The morn
ing was clear and cold; the road hard and in
excellent condition for marching, and the
spirits of the men bouyant. The route, too
was through country destined to be histor-
ically memorable; a country over which con-
tending armies had marched in high hopes of
winning victories, and had returned in not
the best of order, and by movements not
found in any edition of military tactics
All along the way the devastation and desola-
ton caused by war was visible. Hardly an
individual greeted our sight, but now and
then some mansion. built without much re-
gard to beauty, and according to style of
architecture with which l had not been previ-
ously acquainted, reminded US of the fact
that We We're not wholly isolated from civli-
zation, though | must confess that it seemed
| to have been of an earlier date than the pro.
gressive civilization of this century. Here
and there too the remains of old camp
grounds, and few rails to remind one of
where fences had been, greeted the eve; and
occasionally peering round the corner Of
some house the black face of one or more of
Gods images, set in ebony" served to bring
before US tn, cause of this unnatural and
devilish rebellion. Thank God, that so far
as a Presidential edict can accomplish it, this
oppressed and downtrodden race are thence
forth and forever free in this state; so ] sin
cerely trust that the strong right arm of our
army may give reality to scheme so emf
nently just and benefcent, and make the proc
lamation something more than dead letter.


About the middle of the forenoon the
nights of Centerville appeared in the dis
tance, crowned almost as far as the eye could
reach with eartL-works connected by rife
pits, all of which were constructed by the
rebels and which perfectly commanded the
country in every direction. Nature aided by
man had made Centerville seemingly well
nigh impregnable. A few houses, an old
stone church, now used as stable and SUIT
ler's store, constitute all that has been digni-
fled by Journalists and in military reports as
the village of Centerville. Our camp was
about mile south of the village and the
regiment picketed along Cub Run, two miles
farther south west. Our sojourn in that re-
gion was unenlivened by any remarkable
event although quite stir was occasioned
by the capture of some cavalry pickets whose
line joined ours.


Immediately upon our return we moved to
our present camp, charming place, half hid.
den in grove and so arranged as to face
east Hardly had tents been pitched when
squads of men might be seen busily engaged
in cutting and hauling timbers for stockades
and forty eight hours had not elapsed before
the regiment were made very comfortable.
A week ago yesterday came the first real
excitement of our service. The day before
We had heard sundry re ports circulating
about, Of rebels being in this vicinity, and