Union News, Broome County, New York, August 1, 1861
Camp of McDowell's Brigade, Three miles from Centerville, Fairfax Co., Va., July 19, 1861
Friend Benedict: I have tramped about the city considerable and visited most of the public buildings, but then your readers have had a better description of them, no doubt, than I could give, therefore I will pass them by for the present. If there is any one thing more deserving of note than another, I think Mills Statue of Jefferson deserves that notice.
Nothing however transpired in camp worthy of note except our daily rations of paving stones and salt pork, until the 16th when, we being on drill parade, &c, at 1 o'clock P.M. we received orders from head quarters to march at one hour's notice, with nothing but bread and bullets. All was excitement in camp. Our able bodied men were all on hand except Dixie, of the Republican, and some friends who were with him. They had stayed already three hours longer than their pass allowed. I don't know whether they heard of the order to march or not. I always considered them men of blood, and don't wish to charge them with staying down town to get rid of going out. Well, we were on hand at the hour, and marched through the city, crossed the long bridge (two miles) over the Potomac, and at 4 o'clock we were on Virginia soil, secession ground. However, our troops have possession there at present and have extensive fortifications erected, with cannon mounted, commanding the river and all the surrounding country within four miles. The works are swarming with soldiers. We marched two miles, perhaps, when we had to halt to let a regiment of artillery come in ahead from the North side of the river. There were thirty-five Regiments on the move today. The road was four files deep with soldiers for about eight miles in length.
Until today, the rebels had possession of the road to within seven miles of the Capitol. However, the pickets retired as we advanced, and we did not get a sight of a rebel. For the first day we marched seventeen miles, and arrived at our camping ground at eleven o'clock. We had not even an overcoat to cover us. You may think we did not need one, but the nights are colder here than in that latitude, and there has been but three oppressively hot days here since we came from Elmira. the rest of the time a man was comfortable with a coat on.
Well, we stacked our guns, threw ourselves upon the ground, and slept sound as bricks. In the morning we ate our rations of dry sour bread and raw fat bacon, and started again, rather sore from our march the previous evening. As we came near to Fairfax we were divided into platoons to flank the enemy, but before we could be brought up, the rebels fell back about four miles and made a stand. We were wearied with marching and went no farther yesterday, the 18th, but took possession of the town and rigged up our camp. The rebel troops went out in such a hurry, they left behind them about fifty stand of arms and a quantity of military stores.
There was a shameful waste of private property by the second Rhode Island regiment and the Zouaves. A number of houses of Secessionists were sacked, one in particular, ex-Senator Thomas' house was completely gutted, through revenge, I suppose, as Mrs. Thomas was a sister of Jackson, the man that shot Ellsworth at Alexandria. Maj. Gen. McDowell has ordered the arrest of the ringleaders. He has also issued an order, threatening punishment of the severest kind to anyone meddling with private property in any instance.
Our Regiment was nearly starved out when it reached Fairfax, so the boys drove in a three-year-old bull, fourteen pigs, 100 lbs each, and about fifty fowls, and we lived one day I conclude. But there was a stop put to our appropriating to our use everything we could lay our hands on. We left Fairfax yesterday afternoon, expecting an engagement at this place, but here we achieved another bloodless victory. They might have made a successful stand against us at Fairfax, I think, as they were 10,000 strong, if they had artillery, and I don't know whether they had or not. The town was defended on every side by raised embankments that covered every entrance. However, they have concentrated all their forces at Manassas Junction, and as near as I can find out, they are 60,000 strong, and better fed and equipped than the Government troops. It is estimated that the different divisions of the Federal Army,. which had the rebel troops now surrounded, can muster 125,000 troops, yet the rebels have the advantage of position, and the fight to come off tomorrow, 20th, will be the biggest and fiercest that was ever known on this Continent.
We are all eager for the contest, yet none can tell how many of us will live to see another day. There has just been a squad of rebels brought in, a sergeant and eleven privates. The sergeant was taken once before and released on taking the oath of allegiance. He will probably be shot tomorrow morning. There have two more batteries arrived, at this moment making twelve in this McDowell's division. I have just read in a Southern paper, the fact of the total annihilation of the Union, New York regiment. But the truth is, the main body of the Regiment has not been in any action yet.
I cannot help but notice the difference in the powers of endurance between our Regiment and the United States' Marines, with their West Point Officers. In marching here yesterday in their Company of 840 men, 28 of them fell out of the ranks from the effects of the heat, while in our Company of near 1000, but one gave out, although half of them are troubled with the black diarrhea. Ours is a bully Regiment however, and we make as good an appearance as any in the brigade. What has become of the boasted Southern Tier Regiment of Elmira, that started before us? They are camped about four miles North of the Capitol, while we are on the scratch every time. We have come in before over thirty Regiments that have been laying around Washington, Arlington Heights and other places for months.
Our friend, W.H. Gates, came to Elmira and swore into the service of the United States for two years, but when we left for Washington, he slipped the train and has not been heard of since. Bully for him.
I have a chance to send this to Washington. Remember to send a paper to Maine, to my address. If I live through tomorrow, I will write again soon. Whittlesey is well and spoiling for a fight.
Dixie has just arrived in camp with his friends. He was badly worked up at being left behind. His blood is up, however, and he is with us every time.
Blockhead.
Our correspondent, Blockhead, at the time the above was written, Friday, July 19, supposed the battle at Bull's Run and Manassas Junction would take place Saturday, July 20, but as our readers already know, it did not take place until Sunday, the 21st. - Editor
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