1  Bucks County Intelligencer LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS September 16, 1862  Page 3 Column 4 1

 

LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.

From the 104th Regiment.

[Extract from Private Letter.]

GLOUCESTER POINT, August 29, 1862.

I will give you a sketch of a reconnoisance we made

this week.  On Monday afternoon we received orders to

have two day’s rations cooked and be ready to march at

daylight next morning, but owing to the cavalry not being

able to cross until noon, we did not get off till 3 p. m. 

Our party consisted of two squadrons (four companies)

of cavalry, under the command of Captain Tumbler, of

Bethlehem, and the 104th under Colonel Davis.  We pro-

ceeded up the Gloucester Court House road to Hickory

Point, where we arrived at sunset, and camped for the

night near a plantation owned by a man named Robbins,

a Captain in the rebel army.  The negroes were the only

persons left on the place, and they were in charge of the

stock.  In the morning, Col. Davis with one squadron of

cavalry proceeded about seven miles further, to Glouces-

ter Court House.  In the meantime we helped ourselves

to chickens, ducks, and such other things as we could

find.  The negroes soon found us and brought to us for

sale, cakes, peaches, pears, watermelons, &c., and we

began to have a good time generally.  During this time,

another Robbins, said also to be a Captain of guerrillas,

came into our lines, apparently for the purpose, of making

observations, when Major Rogers politely informed him

to dismount and tarry with us awhile.  About an hour

after, another old secesh came in, wanting to go through

to see his family physician.  We served him the same as

the first one.  Just as affairs were becoming interesting

we received orders from Colonel Davis to return to camp. 

Our haversacks were somewhat heavier than when we

started.  Some of the boys swung their chickens over

their guns to aid in transportation.  The one prisoner we

left go for his physician but the other we took along to

camp.  This morning we were rather surprised to learn

he had been discharged by the Colonel.  While I am

writing, Sergeant White brought in a negro, who pre-

tended to have important information for Colonel Davis. 

He confirms the statement about the rebel Robbins.  He

says he is the most active rebel in the neighborhood.  He

was formerly a preacher, but has lately reformed, and is

now engaged in negro catching and acting as spy for the

rebels.  We are living rather fast at present.  I had

chicken three times to day.  Uncle Sam furnishes us with

fresh bread daily, and the negroes bring in butter, &e.,

but it will not last long.  We have rumors of leaving

already.  The health of the regiment is good.  We don’t

receive our mail regularly—I am unable to explain the

cause.  Probably our old Uncle has forgotten where we

are.