Camp Griffin, VA., Jan. 10, ’62
Owing the almost unbearable inactivity of this army and the bad weather we are now having, there has been nothing of any importance going on, for some time, until last Friday night the 17th instant, when, after tramping around all day through mud of a sufficient depth to cover a small sized dog, we stowed ourselves snugly away in the tents, thinking thereby we would escape the mud for a night at least, and be better able to toil with it the next day.
Our peaceful slumbers and happy thoughts were however, destined to be of short duration. We had just got into a good sound sleep, and were dreaming of the gentle ones we left behind us, when the “Bugle Sounded.” “Boots and Saddles,” it being then near 12 o’clock. Immediately thereafter could be heard the commanding and well-known voices of the Colonel’s and Company Commanders, as they rode up and down the lines, calling for the men to come out. Ten minutes after ‘‘boots and saddles” had been sounded, the assembly call was made, and ten minutes thereafter, the “Cameron Regiment of Dragoons” were all in line, ready, willing, and waiting, for a set to with the Enemy.—In that position we stood fora short time, when an orderly came with a message from the General, telling us to go to our quarters. We had just made a start for the stables, when down came another messenger telling us to stand in line so we stood, (poor deluded creatures) until two o’clock, when we were again ordered in, and to keep our horses all ready, which we did until morning. And thus ended the anticipated fight.
What was the cause of the alarm we poor, ignorant soldiers are unable to tell, and I think it very probable that. General Smith himself did not know. Perhaps some excitable individual who had been indulging too freely in the ardent spirits got the man with, the poker after him and imagined it was the rebels advancing; or perhaps the officers wished to see how quick we could get ready for action. If the former was the ease, I hope the authorities will hunt the individual up and put him in a lunatic asylum if the latter, I think they had their curiosity satisfied, at least I hope so, as we require as much rest as possible this kind of weather, and would prefer being left alone, when we go to sleep, to being made fools of. But I almost had forgotten we were soldiers, and must do as the officers say, not as they do, (I should be sorry to do as some of them do.)
There is no news of any importance here, not even of the pay-master coming, which would be good news to us all. The absorbing topic of conversation is, when will the army move? Do you know? if we were to rely on what The Philadelphia Press says, we would he off every morning before breakfast. I think if that reporter of The Press who has us starting so often, would come over here and examine the roads, he would not expect us to move for some time yet—at any rate he should let the roads get passable for Artillery, before he advances. Taps have sounded and I must put my candle out, therefore will have to close. The Whig is regularly received. lam with respect yours, &c.,
—J. F. C.
The Cecil Whig, Elkton, MD