Front Stockton's Regiment

Camp Union. Arlington Iloiglits, Va. ) öept. 24, 1861. , DkAK BjlOTHEH : - We ar: now fully armed and erjuippcd". Ou Thursday, the '2Gth, we recoived orders to maruli tu llie Arsenal and draw our arms Accordingly wo marched and , returnod ith guns and - nothiwg elsc. Üu Saturdaj inorniag, the li.Sth, we Strnofc our tonts to inovo gome halí' niilo to buttcr camping ground; but hardly liad they buen struuk when orders werc received to marcb over to Virginia, via tbc Long Bridge. As soon as this was knowu cheer upon clieer went up from the Boys, and this too. when not a single cartridge had been dealt out, nor even cartridge box. Soon the order was give:i to ''fall in," and we moved toward Washington. The battallion halted iu the streets of Washington, and we were informcd tbat soinc daniage had been done to the bridge and that we could not pass over that night. Again we moved on, and about 8 o'cloek in the cvening brought up in the square of the Smitlisoniau Instituto, and were informcd that we would pass the r,ight there. The most of the Boys threw themselves upon the grass and tried to sleep Being Sergeaut of the gaard and on duty I did not try it. Iu fact Í do not think there was much sleep done. The night was very eold, colder I believc than it was in Michigan. Karly ín the morning we formed and crossod tlie fauiotis Long Bridge on to the " sacrod soil " of Virginia. Hcrc we found all excitement. Muuson's Hill had been taken duriug the niglit. A nuiuber of regiments had bceu ordered to move forward, and auiong them a number of the Michigan. Everybody was in high giee at the prospect of a good battle. About 9 o'elock we pitehcd our tents at this place, from whieh we'have a spio;:did view of Washington and the surrounding country. Our regiment has just tasted a little of soldiers' lif'e. We marebed five miles and went into camp without supper or tents; got up in the ntorning and marched seven more without brcakfast ; and then got a very late dinner. We are now cuoaiuped between Fort Corcorau and Fort Woodbury, and surroundod cm every side by encampmunts of Midiera. Washington can oever be taken ■ at least that isruy opinioo. It is completely defended on this side by Pbrts and batteries It will cost the rebels Aear when they attack Fort Corcorun. - It is completeiy surrounded by a deep ditch, which is bordered by tree top3 secure!}' fastened in the ground. This afternoon we were supplied with cartridge boxes and cartridges, and are now fully equipped and ready for the oampaiam. Jonas Richardson, of tbc 4th Michigan, ana Öqwnrd, of the 2d, eolted apoo me this al'tcrnocn. The 4th has gone out to Muiison's Hill on pieket duty. - i Tíiu boys are reportcd all will J. P. Ilall'.s Hill, Va., Oft. 4, 1861. Dkai; Brothbr : - Ouce more we have made a move, and are now eneauiped on grouud wliich the ' rebels occupied oue weck ago. Last TuesdftJ night, at ]2 o'ekiek, re were ordered to march iu tliirt.y minutes ; but belure the time expired the order was couutcrmat.ded, aud we were ordered to march in the inoïniug. On Wcduesday night we were ordered sleep on our aruis, and to be ready to grasp every thing at a moment's warning On Thursday afteruoon we were reviewed by Gen. MoClèlIab. The War Department is putting us forward pretty fast, aud there is no knowing how soon we shall agaiu ïeeeive marching orders. Our Golonel has been hcerd to say that before the lst day of January we would be on the Gulf. We are encamped near the Michigan Fourth, which moved the same day that we did. Munson's Hill, the last place taken by the Federáis, is not far from here. This is a poor country. The houses are old and seem ready to fall down. - The country is pleasant, aud the climale healthy, but the soil can not comparo with that of Michigan. Many of the houses along the route wero vacant, the windows broken out. fences down, rails missing, probably having made the camp fires of either Rebel or Federal troops. - After the war I would uot give much for the whole State. The army is moving slo'ly and surely towards Richmond. We shall probably have a battle soon ; and I think it will be a different one from Buil s Run. - i Gen. McClellau is not going headlong iuto the matter. He will make every move teil. He is fast enclosing the rebels in coils, from which there will be no escape for them. It is my opinión that the Spring will see this war ended, and the South subdued. Tho South has sowed the wind, she is reaping the whirlwiud. Ths breakfast cali sounds and 1 must close. . P