Rec^d Oct 28/62

 

Camp on Loudon Hights

Octr 24^th 1862

 

Dear Friend

                        I received a consolidated favor from you and Marshall dated on the 4^th. I posted a letter to Marshall just before I received it. I immediately sent an order to Washington for my box and intended to await its arrival before answering yours but nary box has come yet.

 

            I suppose that in the interruption in this business has caused a great accumulation of goods at their general office at W. and that the box is buried among piles of other boxes in the same fix. However I need not despair, as there is goods arriving here now that were shipped for Harrisons Landing long before Mac left there. taking these facts into / consideration I think there is a possibility of mine arriving in time for the Christmas Holidays.

 

            We have been nearly a month on these hights. During that time most all the timber which it was covered with has been cut down, and the road put in order, so that waggons can now make their way to the top. I believe it is the intention to construct some kind of a fortification on the top. similar improvements have been made on Maryland Hights which are the continuation of the chain on the other side of the Potomac. this mountain top is anything but a pleasant place to be encamped on the air is very cold and the wind blows a continual gale. our water is brought up in waggons.

 

            On the morning of the 16^th ins^t a considerable force went out from Sumners Corps situate on Bolivar Hights and took the Charlestown Road / We watched them going out until they were near the town of C. when they were stopped for a time by the enemy who were posted on a wooded ridge commanding the road. a sharp artillery engagement ensued. At last the secesh gave way and I saw our troops winding up the road into Charlestown. On the evening of the same day saw artillery firing in the direction of Martinsburg. I think it was between the enemy posted along the Opequon and some of our forces which had crossed at Shepardstown to reconnoiter. Our forces remained in Charlestown untill the afternoon of the 17^th and then returned to camp

 

On the 21^st at 3 a.m. our Brigade and the 2^nd with our battery of artillery and two or three companies of cavalry all under command of Gen^l Geary marched down the M^t / on the east side, then along the valley and through Snickers Gap, and on till within a few miles of Leesburg. at a place called Groveton we encountered a body of about 200 cavalry. a few shells were thrown at them and then our cavalry charged on them and routed the party. one of our cavalry was killed and a few slightly wounded. 1 secesh was killed several wounded and about 30 taken prisoner with their horses and equipments. we then turned toward the Potomac and camped at Lovettsville for the night. the next day we marched for camp where we arrived at 2 P.M.

 

            it was a very pleasant trip. we passed through a rich and beautiful country, were well received by the inhabitants who gave the men as much fruit, cider and milk as they could wish for. a little turn like this does a fellow a great deal of good after nearly a month in camp. 

 

to day we had a general inspection the second since we came here. the report of the first inspector was anything but favorable to this Division and I am afraid that we wont be much better off this time. the fact is Reg^tl and company commanders are too careless. they look only to their own comfort or advancement instead of improving themselves or their commands. if the people could see as much as the men in the ranks they would have a clearer idea of the difficulties which retard the triumphant march of the grand Army. (which exists on the pay rolls only.) the Government pay an aggregate of over 600 belonging to our Reg^t and should we be called out to battle tomorrow we could not muster on the field more / than 160 to 175. men go to hospital and never come back, some go on furlough and take their own time. others go home without leave, others detailed and detached, here and there. sometimes to do something, and more times to do nothing. All these you see and more besides are paid and committed in the reg^t while a handful of men are doing the work. I think these inspections are held to inquire into these wrongs if so I hope they will soon show themselves and the parties accountable punished. I hate to grumble or to have cause to, after the Reg^t has had so much experience, but it seems the older it is the worse it gets. I wish I could just get an hour or two to talk the matter over in with you and I could give / you an inside view of the subject which might astonish you.

 

If Stephen H. Branch was as well acquainted with army matters as he is with the Aldermanic ring he would have matters enough for an anaconda as big as the Herald

 

            to tell the truth I am heartily tired of the army and if I can procure a transfer into the navy I am going to do it. Men have to do their duty then, and officers are required to know their business it is more to my taste and I think I could spend my time more profitably and pleasantly there than here. Speaking about Steph^s anaconda in the above puts me in mind of the one you sent me. it is decidedly rich. I had  quite forgotten Stephen but the Anaconda soon brought him and his peculiarities / back to my memory.

 

            There will be an advance from here tomorrow I think as I see long trains of waggons drawn up ready to move on the road to Charlestown the rumor at the Ferry is that an advance of the main army is at hand I am inclined to think that our Division will remain here for a time yet. My health is very good. I hope to hear from you soon. My respects to Mrs Preston and with many thanks to you for your kindness I remain

                                                           

My Dear Sir

Your True Friend

James Clarke

Compy. D.                                                      

5^th Reg^t O.V.I.                                                            

1^st Brigade 2^nd Division

            12^th Army Corps

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