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7
liiiiIIIFZ, WEIGHT, Editor and Proprietor,
VOLUME XXXIV, NUMBER 15.]
• MIRED EVERS' SATURDAY MORNING.
'Office in Carpet Hall, Hortlt-toestcorner of
IFront and Locust streets.
Versus of Subscription.
Copy p e raucum,i f paidin acivance..
" i f uoi puid withinthree
s,monthafromeommencementofthe year, :2 00
C7e•zstiss
• Not ohecraption received lore leas time than six
mouths; and no paper I be di4contittued anal nil
w.evasorages.areplud,usi4estat the optionof the pub.
is her.
iD"MoneYnayb vet mit le (lb mailauhepabiiaL
.
u
ar • a risk.
Rates of Advertising.
quar 46. i nes]one week,
4 1, *O5B
three week's.
75
eacktultsequentinsertion, 10
• ' ' - (l4.inesioneereek. 50
three weeks, 1.00
enehtubsequentiattertion. fa
, zerperadeertkementtin proportion
Al 'Peru I Ikeountwil lite made to quarterly, half
v eit leotreislytrieertideromno are Is trictl)eoufined
°their business.
11. M. NORTH,
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
coiumbia,Pa.
Callectsons romptlymade,i aLancaste land York
Semmes.
,Columbia,llla
138=1
DR. HOFFER,
- T\ENTIST.--OFFICB, Front Street an doer
LJ tom hamlet. over Saylor & hiellonahl'e Honk cto e
— Columt 111, Pa t V"Entrance, borne as iCliieri• I'h
oar. h Gallery. [Augur' 21. 'RN
Harrison's Conmbian Ink
'WHICH is a superior article, permanently black,
/IV and not corroding the pen, can be bud in ant
oantity. at the Family Medicine Store, and blacker
♦et an tient English Hoot Polish.
Columbia..l.,an 9.1999
Itousakeepees, a Word!
TUST Received. a full Flock of bleached and 'ln
a bleached Illuzlinn, Ticking 4, Cheeks. tiinghams
and Print!, inn word, everything pertaining - to do
e:wine tide. Cull and examine for yourselves, at
*TRACY A BOW CIAS.
cor id and Locust St•.
Jcne.7, 1562
Lawns, Lawns, Lawns.
T ADIFS oe:1 mud eee our brautifol I 2 emit Lowile,
:1 14.10 FP, IA STMACV & BOWERS.
Juue ,Oppoehe Odd reamer.' flail.
HOOPED SHIRTS.
ANEW and splendid style of Hooped Skirls, just
received; Also, a full assortment of oilier ci . yies,
very ellen p AIALTBY & CASE.
Columbia, April 28,1E62. Locintt :Street.
• TOR SALE,.
.150 07
j e y k ;t C. A. Salt, 100 Sucks 11 , 15 1 141 . 1;I; s Ap-
Warehouse, Cupal 13ncin.
Columbia, Dec. 29, 1961.
NOW FOR BARGAINS.
- 1 1 7„ E have just received another lot of nil-wool De
-7V Joiner; and plaid Mosuminques. which we offer ut
radsteed prices. STEACV & DOWIRRA,
Cola. Juhe 23, leff2 Cor. 2d and Locust Sts.
FOLD CREAN OF 111ACERINIL—For the eurr
and prevention ft) chapped hand., &c. Vol na 't
ut the )LUEN MOLZTAR DRUG' STORK
Dee. 3,16510 r, nut tweet. CA'lLlnl.a.
NOTICE.
It F. undersigned would give notice that 1.0 intends
e readier to do u and will e ' l ll<ondB
- 4 reduced priers. Railroad men n 1 ether v. t o re
... Nye their pay monthly, will be /mowed a ereoll of
fe days. 11. F. BBC tVEit•
Uct 11,1961.
SALT! SALT!
UST received by the oubserober, their whore IN
Locust vtreet below Seeobd,
100 Bags Ground Alum Salt,
116 will be sold the lovieFt toarLei pricer.
C July 11. F(‘
Tom Thumb About Again!
AT Pfilliler's Tin and 11ouie-iuriten 4 iii„. Fiore, Lo
east etreet.oppo-ite the Hunk: 'tee Tuumb••
lamps are the very beet Coal Oil L.a up • nr •••• '1 •
and examine than.
I,,•ltrist Coal Oil nt 25 eta., per galley, at
I.:A".' dauphin, filmy 17 1' , 62 Pi A 111.r"R•ul
?APEX Ifetra.Nousixo to 4144
The fast chimer for bargains.
2500 Pieces Wall Parer,
Or our beet st) len and quality. yet on toil, whirl.
we are elowint out at 50 per cent. lower than Philp
dolphin IVholesule Prices. Coll socni us we say
re M
.ar of rapidly
H. C. FONDEASNI
Acljoin
Columbia. bllsith 20. 1962..
A KEW more of those beautiful Tries
left, which will be cold elteap, at
SAILOR & Mc DONA UPS
April 14. Columbia, Pa
We Have Just Received
'IL CUTTER'S Improved Chest Expanding
Suspender and Shoulder /traces for Gentlemen,
■nd Patent Skirt Supporter and Brace for Ladies,
Jost the article that is wanted at this time. Come
and see them nt Family Aledirine Store-Odd Per:lows`
h ail
avant or, Bond's Boston Crackers, for
NJ Dyspeptics, and Arrow Root Cracker=, for:in
valids and rbildicri—new articles in Columbia, at
We Family Medicine Store,
April 16. MO.
SPILDING'S PREPARED GLUE—The want of
ouch an article is felt in every. family, and now
it can be supplied; for mending furniture, china.
avare i ornamental work', toys. &e., there Id nothing
superior. We have found it uPsfal in repairing many
anielea which have been &leek's for 1110111i16. Ye
Jan.2Bin it at the
ta.oanAs FAULT MEDICINE STORE_
POCKET BOOKS AND PURSES.
A LARGE; lot of Fine and Common rocker Books
■Rd Purses, at from 15 cent• to two dollars entit.
' He telquarsers and News Depot.
tril 14, I IGO.
M=E
, 01:11E. =REIT AiLIUITA-TA.
HAVING just received our first
NEW'S PRIM: STOCK. we would 11111110WICC to
• the citizens of Columbia and vicinay, that it is
NOW READY FOR INSPECTION,
to all who may favor ua with a call, feeling confident
-we can offer goods at cuch:prices an will induce all to
tparchase.
1.17 - CALL AND SEX THEM.4:II
rzsixt PISECI
IrACKEIREL, by the barrel. half barrel end gunner
_la banal, of the best qualitlee.
Apply to B. F. A rroLD,
Columbia. July leal. Canal Illown.
CORN VINEGAR!
HR eery beat ankle of Visegsr in erirkei is
j RIMES 4 cons PURE CORN VINEGAR,"
:which may be hied at the blauslactory,iu 6er:owl sty
a akibeisinig Leid.re Muss' Li sib
SW.
- II .4.I.I3EMANIS STORE.
I.•A nap Wankel%
La. Gum Blanketo ;
.Grep. Reload Bine Flornnel%
Striped and Pllll€ll Flannels,
Soldiers , Woolen Mina, ,
•Grey Underthirte nod Drawers. ,
tau low priees.tat HALDEMAN'S STOBIL
Columbia, Oalaber4S, 1.862.
ETON I .INLE OHIO CATAWBA BUBB)
s "' d PI 'S" WlNEB•••iriesially for Medicines
.1W Sacramental pampas% at ibe
. J anal. FAMILY MEDICI NESTOHE.
ISitat liteeLveid
AND for rale, in large or small quarnitiea,Boo sacks
G. A. Sala, AM/ sacks Athion salt.
E. F. APPOLD.
Canal 80401.
Columbia, Julybillift
Attention Gentlemen!
A CHOICE Lot of New Style Spring Candatoreo on&
kliairk Preach Cicala, will be 'veiled ibis day; via{
•will be meld elegy for cask, at Anew mow
• H. C.iiiPONDEItnaIIITH.
Cola. May smaah. Adjoining ibe Bank,
~.Onto Miehmond.
u1t. ...y :7 0 :t h and Ckaat i lat r eez Po l intsl
- ,B C.V.mdtar a naw prat. A rail will emoviarePl'atli
d IL C. FONDERSMITH,
Co amble lety 34802. Peoples' Coots Mete
anitt j CorrtzpilArtittr,
MON THE BTH PENNA. CAVALRY
S I 30
DEAR Ser:—"l still live" were the last
words of the immortal statesman. Now, al
though little Pleasanton's brigade has had
a tough time of it since crossing the Pao-
Unite at Berlin, in the words of the great
"expounder" as freely rendered by an' ap
preciative farmer, "I ain't dead yet;" and
doffing my crossed sabres to your readers,
lf prepare fur a talk. Those who expect
anything else will be disappointed, as these
fetters promise to be nothing more than
talks by the camp fire.
The march of Pleasanton from the Poto
mac through Virginia via Union, Upper-,
Ville, Piedmont and thence do Asnersville,
Waterloo and Warrenton, via Ashby's Gap,
is well known to the public;...also the sharp
skirmishing they had upon r the route. I
will say nothing more of the journey as I
propose to make it the suldect of a letter to
you in future. - Losing mg horse, I was
compelled to retrace my steps by the self
same route to Knoxville, Md. From that
place, in company with several others, who
had returned from the front upon the same
errand. I had a most interesting and plea
'sent trip by way of Frederick, Md., to Wash
ington. A•day or two in the capital, and We
crossed the Lang Bridge into Virginia again.
Riding through Alexandria we changed our
direction, and bearing to the left passed
near the estate of Mt. Vernon. A few
miles further we paused to look at the an
cient building called Cohick Church. Here
Washington's family came to worship, a 'Hs
i tance of eight or ten miles. Our route further
on led us to the creek and village of OJCO.
quan, where we stopped fur the night in an
old stone building, that had been vacated,
and met with romantic adventures, that you
shall hear anon. The rain fell in torrents,
as we ascended the bill back of the village,
in the morning, and in spite of heavy roads
we made the old town of Dumfries. This
place was settled next to old Jamestown, so
at least, the story- goes. Hero again we
passed the night, and on the day following,
by way of Stafford Court llouse, reached
Belle Plains—u low level tract of land on
Potomac creek. Here we found the Bth
Penna. Cavalry, and a day or tvr . o afterwards
were ordered down the Rappahannock to
King George Court House, to picket Olt
Country, and pretent the citizens from
smuggling supplies to the Confederate army.
see made a host host of captures, such
as homes, cattle, tobacco, whisky, &c., ate.;
and in tors: ; thsough their own lack of vigi
lance, and the treanhery of a few citizens,
had two companies captured. A wild life
led in this region fur several weeks and we
were relieved by another c a valry regiment.
On the same night, at the rasing of the
moon, we left for Bello Plains, over reads
so icy that our smooth-shod horses coulJ
scarcely crawl. Arriving at day break we
fed horses and had coffee, and started again
fur Burnside's headquarters, opposite Fred
ericksburg.
The building Occupied by Gen. B— is
brick; in style a combination of the Swiss
and Italian. Beautifully located, it stands
upon an eminence, the ground descending
gradually the distance of a mile towards the
river, on the opposite shore of which stands
Fredericksburg. Upon ell sides, every inch
of ground lateen:led occupied by infantry
troops, cavalry and artillery. I passed the
entire day about the porch, and immediate
grounds of these headquarters. Here I en
joyed the opportunity of seeing many of the
great men of our army: Gens. Burnside,
Hooker, Sumner, and Patrick, with Sigel
little Pleasanton, and others. Here also,
I saw Prof. Lowe, the balloonist of the army
of the Potomoc, and Prof. Rarey, the prince
of horse-tamers. Upon that day too, I wit
nessed the bombardment of the town oppo
site, and a scene so exciting and grand, it
had never before been my lot to luck upon.
The roar of so many cannon, the hissing
shells, as they went tearing and crashing
among whole streets of buildings, finding
their way even to the old cemetery, nail
shaking the quiet earth where rests the
mother of Washington. The whole scene
was beautiful to behold, yet terrible to con
template.
Saturday. the day on which occurred the
close and heavy conflict between the Con
federate and Federal forces, was passed by
me again at the headquarters of the army.
This day was one to be remembered by all
who saw or participated in he deadly work.
Early in the day the firing commenced, and
to any one at all conversant in these matters,
it became apparent that the hour fur a gen
eral engagement was at hand. I had taken
part in fights and skirmishes, but the busi
ness and excitement of the occasion always
left no time fur thought or consideration;
but here, from an advantageous point of
view, wholly out of danger. (except when a
stray shell, losing its way, or taking a mad
cap chase on its own responsibility. came
nearer than w..s necessary.) the whole pan
da:area of battle, with its mighty tumult,
moved before me, like the wondrous pa- ,
gauntry of some glorious dream. To me it
was the realization era dream, that hitherto,
in life. had seemed too unreal ever to be re
alized. hour after hour the work grow hot
ter, until it would seem that even metal or,
stone could not endure the flood of flame
that poured .from the ridge of wood and
rooLbe.,yoniL_Every.shellthat rant a.colquto
found that coll . ? . ta clora t again. Slowly bat
firmly the lines al vaineal into the foes of the
e. a. 111 A1.E.% k. CO,
"NO ENTERTAINNEFIT .80 CIIEAP AS READING, NOR ANY PLEA.SIIRE SO LASTING."
COLUMBIA, PENNSYLVANIA, SAURDAY MORNING, JANUARY 17, 186 S.
storm, unflinching, unheeding, unwavering,
steady, as did ever thatrcolumn of steel, the
Old Guard under the Eagles of Napoleon, un
til those who gazed would suppose it to be,
not a wall built up of hearts and souls, but a
fortress, impregnable, invulnetable, as the
surge-lashed Gibraltar itself. Through the
shroud of battle smoke that bung above the
Talley and the town, the scene at times grew
indistinct; yet as all went on with roar and
howl, that host of shadowy forms swayed to
and fro, like the ghostlike battle of the
Greek Gods, seen through the clouds of Ilea
ven. Now, 'the dun curtain en ept aside by
the quiet windQ, you discern that column
still advancing, still ascending the upland
fields toward the wood, whence, still una
bated,vomits the lava of death. The chitanied
roofs and tapering steeples too, are for a
time visible and then a partial eclipse again
occurs, and hides the scene from view. Thue
the day goes on, coming forth and passing
in its glory, Until the sun has found the
west, yet the strife is still as fierce; the con
flict still the same.
History will inscribe upon her reddest
pages the names of Fredericksburg and Rap
pahannock; and record among her memo
rable days that .on which men, urged by
feelings of wide and patriotism, went forth
to fight an enemy, whose advantages of po
sition gave him ten fold strength, and ren
dered him unconquerable. Yet those gal
lant hearted men, in obeisance to the man
date of parlor heroes, pressed on, in oppo
sition to the sanction, and dictates of corn
mowsense, and where death was inevitable.
Work ou "ye gigantic pismires of the cabi
net and council," and in your infantile wis
dom plan the pyramids which the working
palms of men must finish. The day is not
far hence, when your short-sighted eyes will
be blinded by the glory that even now is
bursting forth with the name of America's
George the Second! And history will num
ber the killed and wounded; but only unto
those who saw and felt, and who partici
pated in the carnage of that day, will be un
derstood the extortionate price required to
purchase the freedom and rights of a coun
try.
While Hooker and Sumner dealt their
blows upon the centre and Sigel came up to
guard and watch the right, from the ex
treme left, fur down the river, came the in
cessant voice of Franklin's cannon, where
his corps was contesting every inch of
ground, from the Rappahannock to the Mat
taponax, as closely and fearfully as his fight
ing, brethren on the centre and right. Dur
ing the day the left wing was a subject of
intense interest to all at headquarters.—
Burnside frequently stood, (majestically as
I thought,) upon the flat roof of the build
ing, and with telescope, watched intently
the movements of Franklin, whilst as each
courier and messenger was sent and re
tutned with smoking steed, each and all
crowded around to learn how went the day
below, showing a deep anxiety in the fate
of t'e left wing. At length, late in the af
ternoon, a courier came ascending the hill
at lig:a:fling pace, bringing the sad intelli
gence that Bayard had fallen. A few min
utes afterwarcis six men mount and gallop
towards the left. Of t!..eee I shall only say,
that two were General Gregg and Mr. A— —,
acting as supernumerary a id. Of the oth
ers two were Orderlies, one a young bugler,
and of the last it behooves me not to 'leak,
except, that of him it may truthfully be
said, he frequently bloweth his own trumpet.
but doeth so only that he may give faithful
pictures of what be would describe or delin-1
eats. Taking the road to the left, over
ground extremely undulating, splurging
through mud, and newly-cut reads, they
rude on to the river road, which they kept
fur several miles, then turning to the right,
through heavy soil, found the pontoons, one
of which they crossed, and Gen. Gregg suc
ceeded Gen. Bayard in command. It was
evening when we arrived at the headquar
ters of Gen. Franklin, and "still the red
mouthed cannon spoke" from either side.
"The fun went down nor ceaned the carnage there,
Tuntultuoutl murder anodic the evenitt; air;
On Prague'e proud arch the fires o! rum glow,
"ter lood•dyetl waltzed utarin'ung far 1.100 W."
On the western banks of the Itappahan
nock not many yards from the water's edge,
stands a beautiful residence, built some
what in the olden style, of rough squared
stone, with quadrangular roofs. At the time
of which I write, this building with its many
out-buildings, had been converted into hos
pitals, and hither, from over the level fields
towards the woods, came en incessant stream
of wounded and ezhausted soldiers, of whom
it might be said they had "fought, and
fought too well." Same made good their
way with musket for a crutch, while by
pools and diminutive streams, hundreds
knelt and washed the blood and gore from
their wounded limbs, and the battle smoke
from their faces. flow the heart swells
with sympathy, as you look down into the
sorrowful faces of those who dreamed of
glory, but awoke to the reality of war!
Those with an arm or leg perforated by the
bullet, were considered as well to do, and
permitted to make their way as beet they
could; while only those unable to move at
all, or actually in the jaws of death, were
looked upon as requiring assistance.
Immediately to the rear of the building
is a grove of two or three acres, composed
of venerable oaks and gigantic sycamores.
On the western verge of this grove under
neath one of the largest oaks, Gen. Prank-
I fin and staff held their headquarters. -With
a detachment of cavalry acting as body
guard, a dozen or ao of orderlies, and with
the number of persons usually collected
around the headquarters of a General, the
'rebel forces beyond, might reasonably 'sup
pose a regiment of cavalry in line of squad
ron stationed there. And so, shell after
shell hissed overhead, and fell amid the
trees of the grove; and here it was, that
while standing beside an oak, carelessly
leaning one arm against its huge trunk, tire
noble Bayard fell. A shell in its course
struck him upon the side, and though he.
died not then, they carried him away, never
to look upon the field again. '
After some little military ceremonies with
the officers maderneath the oak, General
Gregg came over (scarce six paces) to where
we had lighted a brush fire, and were pre
paring coffee in our tin cups. Fur awhile
he sat urea the ground, without speaking,
evidently in profund thought; then looking
up, he said, "Mr. S., find Capt. W. and
bring him to me; you will find him at the
bouseyonder, probably with Gen. Bayard;
but dont fail to bring him." I set down my
cup and prepared to start, when he said, "I
did not mean that you should leave your
coffee; go when you've finished it." I give
this little incident as illustrative of the fact,
that an officer, although a "regular," may
be a soldier, and yet be a humane man: also
as a tribute unto hint vt ho in the paths of
duty never forgets to temper firmness with
mildness, and who has proven himself a
wise teacher, and a fair aud impartial °M
ew.
As the distance was short I started on
foot to find Capt. W. It was now dark,
and the early night was without a moon.
The dying camp fires of the grove flickered
at intervals and blinded my sight, so that
I slid my feet along, feeling my way as 1
best could, among the guoups of sleeping
soldiers, the dead and dying, whom
the evening and night had gathered there;
now stumbling upon a few who bad crouch
ed around a dying comrade, unwilling to
desert him while life still lingered; or step
ping across the breast of some oue stretched
cold and motionless, and who
'l..ife'd fitful fever over, slept well,"
again, stooping over a form, whence came
sounds I could not understand—they were
the incoherent mutterings. the stifled, trem
ulous accents uttered in the last agonies of
death. Closer to the buildings one could
scarcely step without encountering a hu
man form, either dead or dying. I found
the stone steps at length, and explained to
the guard that my business was imperative,
and passed on. The hall and rooms below
were filled with officers, soldiers, &c. In
all directions were scattered the wounded:
surgical operations were in progress, and
the surgeons, with faces flushed with intox
ication, or pallid with fatigue and the sight
of human suffering, with turned up joleeves
and bloody hands, plainly told the soul
rending occupation in which they were en
gaged. Directed by an officer I found the
room above,and paused upon entering,unwill
ing to disturb the solemnity a such a scene.
A group of officers stood around a couch,
half lounge, half bad, on which lay General
Bayard, calm and pale. I can only say of hint
that the expression of his countenance was
that of a brave soldier, resigned to his fate.
But a few days and his corpse was borne
through Philadelphia, while his chief
mourner was she to whom he was to have
been wedded upon that very day.
‘.Oll, while our eagle waves her pinions ill jil,
HOW •wcei the slumber, on the field to the,
Freedom deceiti--Willi our fate he given,
bare our honour , let our *outs reach Heave n.'
I returned with Captain 'W., and the,
quest!ous asked by Gen. G. were all con
cerning cluthiog, rations f9rnge, be. But
a few hours i, command, and yet instead
of taking rest, Ge.. G. was inquiring into
the condition, and stuOying the comforts of
a brigade of men who were strangers to
him. After partaking of hard biscuit and
a tin cup of coffee, lie permitted a poach(' to
be spread for him, when, putting on his
great coat, he lay down with us in our little
circle, with feet turned towards the fire,
preferring (it would seem) a soldier's bed,
to the couch of soft and brilliant-hued blan
kets of the officers, but a few paces away.
Early in the morning, without breakfast,
or a word to any one, Oen. G. rode away.
We packed what little we had with us and
saddled, for as soon as light appeared, tho
shells again began to find the grove. Soy
exploded so near that I stood on the oppo
site side of my horse, and reaching under
neath his neck, buckled the bridle on the
left side. Throwing my blanket across the
saddle, I crossed a ditch, and twenty paces
from the grove was safe enough to finish
my work. ,My companion was hastily
bridling his horse, when a shell passed
over his neck almost grazing his mane,
startling the animal so that be leaped the
ditch and came over to me without his mas
ter. At the foot of a large tree close by,
stood five or six horses, ready to be mount
ed, with a young man acting as Orderly,
lying upon the ground. A shell fell and
burst amid the group, the horses scarce
heeding it, while the man vaulted into the
air, coming down at least twenty feet from
the spot, perfectly unharmed, but paler
than death itself. The staff officers by the
oak tried to assume an air of indifference,
but fiery shells are unwelcome ; g uests, and
pallid faces speak volumes. It was not
long before Gen Franklin had changed his
headquarters, and the grove became par
tially deserted.
Gen. G. being ordered down the river to
watch the Rebels in that quarter the bri
gade wound its way to a point al milet
below Cedar Lane. About this beautiful
place I must say a word. About one mile from
the river stands a fine residence, with
grounds correspondingly handsome. The'
negro quarters, a row of small, neat build
ings, perfectly alike in size and style.
stretches down the slope to the left; while
on the right are other out-buildings, equally
neat cud uniform. The land, falling gently
'towards the river, and on the right and
left, thus affords a magnificent view in
three directions. Exactly midway between
the mansion and river leads the thorough
fare yclept the "river road." For some
thing more than a mile and even and level
as a floor, this road passes in a direct line
through the estate, bordered on both sides
by an evergreen hedge, of beautiful growth,
thus giving to the entire landscape a most
charming appearance. But these once rich
fields are ,now trampled, and the hedge
much torn and defaced by the passing
through of artillery. The iron hoof of war
leaves its trail alike upon the beauties of
art as upon those of nature. This place is
called by the Federal Army, Cedar Lane,
and to an enterprising Yankee in the north
would be worth fortunes as a racing track.
Some miles below this point we aserved
across the river the rebel reserve pickets at
their post. Their horses stood around some
farm buildings, and as we looked, Gen. G.
turning, asked, "are those buildings a thou
sand yards distant?" I had witnessed the
shelling of objects so often at that distance
that I could stake my existence upon it and
answered, "twelve hundred yards." "Tell
Mr. to station a section of artillery on
yonder point, and send those fellows a half
a dozen shells. Let them be well directed!"
The position was splendid. The valley of
the Rappahannock lay before us. On right
we could see well nigh to Fredericksburg;
on the left we could follow the river course
even further, while directly in front, the
telt of woods lay, apparently four miles
distant. The gunner taking the distence by
medsurement, called out 1,300 yards; away
went a shell, and watching, we saw it burst
beside one of the buildings, and a troop of
horses, some riderless, ran in different di
rections across the Country. Shell after
shell followed close behind them, as correctly
as the distence could be determined, until a
few sought refuge behind a cluster of grain
stacks. "Now for the stacks!" said the
gunner, and 10, one of them was uutopped
by the next shell, when away went the
Rebels, evidently on the swiftest of horses,
from the manner in which they widened the
distance between themselves and the Rap
pahannock.
Two days afterward I reported again to
my old Regiment near Burnside's head
quarters opposite Fredericksburg. The day
following, we again marched through roads
almost impassible, to King George Court
House, and went to picketing again. And
hero we are with excellent living, plenty of
provision, and forage, with little to
The Citizens are generous, polite, and hus
pitable; and most of them remarkably fair
in principles and political opinions. The
voice calling for the close of the rebellion
is unanimous. All respect, and speak well of
McClellan, and seem to believe, that the
most speedy method of ending our political
difficulties, would be to reduce the officer's
salary, to equal that of the private; to view
the institution of slavery, as a secondary
evil, setting it aside as having no business
with the ending of the war, and to shake
hands again through a compromise, stop
the flow of blood, the widow and orhpan'a
tears, and then as a Union of States, agree
upon terms of Emancipation ; and if needs
must be, let our spoiled and obstinate
cltil
dren, Massachusetts and Carolina run mad
a "muck." Such, as far as I have been able
to learn from private conversation, with in
dividuals, is a general, and at present, a
spreading and fast growing opinion.
To day a petition went to headquarters,
from the prominent Citizens of this County,
ga i n ing that this regiment may be allowed
to remain among there to protect them from
the depredations of their own troops as well
as of the Federal troops. The reputation we
bear here is an enviable one, and if a force
is left here at all, I should pot be surprised
if the Bth should pass much of the winter
near King George. We draw no army
rations, except coffee sugar and salt. The
Country around provides the rest, and the
citizens give it freely; all they Ask is a fair
and just compensation, by our Government,
for what they supply us with. We have
fresh beef, pork and mutton, flour and corn
meal. We get corn by the large quantity,
haul it to the mills, and.bave ,it ground in
to meal. To day a party of some dozen
men, are out foraging fur.oattle, that were
seen by some one fifteen sailed away toward
the Potomac. Quite a ride for beef I methinkti
I hear you say. Nothing at all for men whose
lives, as it were, are passed in the saddle;
and I had made one of the party to day,
for the sake of the ride, and view of country;
but I wished to write this letter. This id
as wild a life as man over led. When you
stop in the woods, the first ohject, is a .fire ;
after which all goes well. While some go ,
in search of water, others will fell trees for
fuel, in case it is required; and while- some
get coffee &c., from haversacks, others ride
off to scout for forage. You tie-poor horse,
to the nearest bush or tree, and unsaddle or
not as is the order, and in an incredibly
short space of time you will see a rough
visaged troopers, seated upon the ground
around a huge Jog fire, vociferously enjoy
ing a supper, such purchase° ass -soldier_
only might pronounce excellent.
51,50 PER YEAR IN ADVANCE; *2,00 IP NOT IN ADVAXCE
But a truce to thoughts like these, Christ
mas is close at hand, and although to many
whose loved ones have fallen in the battles
of the past year, it will be a time of mourn
ing instead of a time of festivity and glad-,
nese, could the wishes of soldiers that will
be sent out over valley and hill, and wood
and stream to many a home, be realized,.
to all, would Christmas be a merry one.
As it is, they should enjoy it much, nor let
a thought of us mar that enjoyment; fur if
there be a turkey within the limits of King
George's or in the valley of the Rappahan
nock, thiefraternity of striped-armed boys
will have it; and like the sailors on Satur
day night at sea: the jest will flow and the''
song ring, with "here's to sweetheart's and
wives," and "a health to one that's awa,"
until the picturesque canopies of these pines
shall tremble more with the shouts of the
merry Cavaliers of the Army of the Poto
mac, than did ever Alhantbrie palaces amid
the royal din of moorish Kings.
Yet amid the wilder scenes of Christmas
night, in a pine wood, lighted by camp
fires, when every twig and bough of the
varnished Holly is decorated , not with the
innocent toys of childhood, but with glitter
ing arms and sharp-edged steel, oven then
will not be forgotten, the smiling faces and
gleaming hearths of kindred and of home.
The night wanes, and I must close. For the
bravo ones., many of wbunt are now sleep
ing around ins, I think that I can truthfully
say:—
••lien's n tqnile for those who love u',
Here's a tear for doo-e who hate,
And whatever-k>',, above u',
Here's a heart for every fate,"
To each and all a merry - Christmas, and
a happy Now Year.
King George C. 11., Va., 1
Dec. 231, 1862. f
PEON THE 45TH PENNA
CALI" OUPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, VA., 1
January 4th, 1863.
DEAR Sm—Christmas has passed, so has
New Year's day, nod still we are quietly
looking at Fredericksburg, and wondering
what nest will be the move on the m ilitary
chess board. Twelve Major and Brigadier
Generals are formed into a mutual admira
tion society at Washington, more familiarly
styled "McDowell and Porter Courts of In
quiry:" they summ,n the other Generals to
Washington to give in their experience and
assist them to drink the Washington whis
ky. Everybody knows that after long sit
tinge and wise looks they will find the cul
prits not guilty and pronounce them the
greatest of modern Generals. Why this
farce? Why should those old fogies not be
dismissed—they aro an incumbrance and
should be lopped off to make room for more
vigorous moo, who would lead our armies
to victory.
The 46th is in :Wu quo; that means that
we arelliving snugly in huts, caves,
with plenty of crackers. pork, beaus, sugar,
coffee and the other delacacies of Uncle
Sam's larder: whisky rations added, and
we would be truly happy. You know that
ardent is contraband in camp, except for
officers; yet we occasionally euchre the com
missary out of a small supply. Two of our
Sergeants did him in a small way on New
Year's day. I did them, and the result was
all three of us became elevated. The Ser
geants got noisy; I smelled a rat (the old
Colonel,) and kept quiet. Next morning
Sergeants were reduced to the ranks; the
order read "for the sake of good example."
lam glad of it; and now that vacancies ex
ist I am almost sure of my promotion.
or - Jorps is to he reviewed at two o'clock
this atrernoon by Major Genera/ 13urnside.
This may indicate a movement, as "Old
Burny" dont often review except on very
important occosions.
Rumor says that our Corps is to go to
Washington to relieve the new troops there,
who aro all to be sent to the front, to put in
the balance of their time fighting the enemy.
If so, no doubt the 45th will be selected to
do duty around the White House, as it is
said that Mrs. Lincoln is partial to good
looking men. I hope this may be correct,
as our friends in the 135th would not like
to return to their homes without having won
reputation at the cannon mouth.
We are glad to see the President's procla
mation freeing the darkies. Now let us
have the darkey soldier; send us on two
companies from Tow LIM; we'll train them;
we'll give them a chance to try their pluck.
Stir up my old chucks, Bill Brown, Nate
Smith, Uncle Cmsar and the others. I'll be
their Captiug and show them how to charge
on double quick; so send them along or we'll
be after them. Should they not fight for
freedom and a free country? or will the
Home Guard say no? lam in earnest; the
Rebels use the negro, why should we not
do the same? In a few months the Regi
menta enlisted for two years will have to
be discharged; clittle later and the nine
month area will go out of service. All this
will reduce our army to about 250,000 men.
Flow are we to increase it? Either force
out the Home Guard or the darkies, and as
the negro is the cause of the war let them
participate in its-glories; make Ahem fight
fortheenselves; I know your town can easily
spare two hundred; enrol thorn at once.
The weather is •vary -pleasant, and the
health of our regiment is almost-perfee
Oar Regimental Hospital has not a -single
patient. .Our 'company Ana-seventy men,
present for duty, and not s single man • oat
the sick list. I vesture to assert that not a
regiosentora sotopsey in the terries can
present so fasarable•s record of ..butt ae
[WHOLE NUMBER 1,69
this. Our huts aro inigue, but comfortable,
and mighty clean. •Cleadlidees ensures
health. 'Put•all that together and join me
in a "hurrah for the 45th.
Yours, &c. • .4522
News From The Gorilla Country;
Mr. Winwood Reade and "The Old She
karry," who went out to the Gabeen clown
a year ago, arrived in the cdlony in early
Spring. and went over the ground described
in M. du Chaillu's book. The Atheneum
publiebee the following letter from Mr.
Reade,:
Raving spent five active months in the
Gorilla country, I am in a position to state
that M. du Chaillu has shot neither leopards,
buffaloes, nor gorillas; that the gorilla does
not beat his breast like a drum; that thb
kulu-kamba does not utter the cry of "koo
loo" or anything like it; that the young
gorilla in captivity is not savage; and that
while N. du Chaillu affects to have bees a
"poor fever-stricken wretch" at Camma
(June 1, 1859,) he was really residing in
robust health at the Gaboon. Mongilotraba,
who is not a native hunter at all, and who
was in my service three months as steward
and niturel history assistant, duped Mr. R.
B. Walker in asserting that M. du Chaillu
had killed two gorillas; nor did he ever ac
company that gentlemen except in the
above capacity. From the Balengi of the
Muni, from the Shekani and Fans of the
Gaboon, from the Commi Bakele, Sec., of the
Fernand Vaz, upon the banks of which
rivers I have hunted (always unsuccessfully)
gorillas, examining those only who were
hunters, and reserving alone such evidence
as was corroborative, I have gleaned the
following facts respecting this ape of con
tention. The gorilla dwells only in the den
set parts of the forests; he feeds exclusively
on vegetable matter, and one kind of grass,
is a sure indication of his proximity ; st
noon and era ho approaches the village .
plantations for the sake of the plantains,
oceasionlly (uttering a wild kind of cry, but
which in rage (as imitated by Etia) bo
comes a quick sharp hark. By day he
moves along the ground on all fours (as
having crawled for hours on their tracks, I
can testify,) sottetimes ascending the trees.
By night he chooses a large tree to sleep in.
lie is exceedingly wary and keen of scent.
When the female is pregnant, he. builds a
nest (as do also the kulu-kaniba and the
chimpanzee,) where she is delivered, and
which is then abandoned. These nests,
several of which I have seen, are simply
rude layers of dry sticks, and of small
branches evidently torn off the live-tree by
the hand. With regard to his ferocity, as'
a rule, when missed or wounded he Will
charge. His charge, from which the
na
tives often escape, being themselves nimble
as apes, is made on all fours. Min, whose
left hand has been severely crippled, in
formed me that the gorilla seized his wrist
with his hind foot, and draged his band in
to his mouth as he would have dents e bunch'
of plantains, Two things are at least cer=
tain—that the gorilla is less feared than the
leopard ; and the story of a man killed by a
gorilla at Catania is a complete fabrication:
Traditional accounts of Such en incident
exist, but nothing of the kind has hap
pened within the memory of man. • The
tale of the gorilla assuming a boxing atti
tude, and beating his breast like a dram;
originated from Quengueza, and was unan
imously refuted by all hunters from the
Mani on the north to the Fernand Yes on
the south. Thus in an obscure African
village an old savage could tell a lie, which
has blazed through Europe.
The Apingi country, which is the Ultima
Thule of N. du Maine's explorations, is
distant] from the Gumbi (Nigumbi) four
days foot journey, in a southern direction.
In tracing the course of •the Renibo, hose -
ever, he adopted a longer route. ' Ilis de
scription of the Fans (Bafanh,) whom he
visited in company with Mr. Mackay, of
Cerise°, is very good. In ascending the
Gaboon to its rapids, in the bosom of -the
of the Sierra del Crystal, I advanced some
I distance into their country, and found them
gentle, hospitable, but cannibals undoubt
edly, as one of them confessed to me. Bien
the account of their ghoul-like propensities
is in one case supported by evidence which
I find it impossible to disbelieve. This
book—so strange a melange of truth and
fiction—was prepared by a gentleman well
known in the New York literary world, from
copious notes made by M. du Chaillu, when
engaged in these expeditions. And I must
do the latter the justice to confess that from
the same sources which afforded me proofs
of his impostures, I learn that be is a good
marksman; possessed of no common courage
or endurance; that he has suffered many
misfortunes and privations, of which Im has
said nothing; that his character as.a trader
has been unjustly blamishedi that his labors
as a naturalist have been very remarkable;
and that during his residence in Africa .he
won the affection of the natives and the ell
teem of those who most merit to he esteemed
—the missionaries. And a fellow-laborer,
thoughein humble one„.may be permitted to
regret that, actuated by.a foolish..innity or
ill-advice, he should have attearptaktwedd
artificial flowers tolls .bnie.wreatkriflutrels
which he.‘bad , fairty istnt :hardlrearned.
CAPS LIUST:
gtierlinto.
LOANDA, September '','