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this lukewarmness on the part of the troops.
But I believe the right spirit is still among them, although a little dormant at present, and all that is wanted is a leader in sympathy with the cause and with the men to draw it out. I do not mean in this to preach insubordination.
I believe in strict discipline, and so I believe do nine men out of ten who have been a month in the ranks.
Men soon learn that when in large masses strict discipline is really for the benefit of all. But discipline is a very different thing from indifference, ill usage, and contempt.
But to return to the statement of facts.
On Monday morning the army marched in two columns from Martinsburg to Bunker Hill — the second and third divisions taking the Winchester turnpike and the first division a road parallel to the turnpike and about a mile to the left.
Each regiment carried its own provisions, (and wagons, of course,) and had a supply for five days only.
Occasionally we could see the enemy's pickets galloping off, and three were captured and one killed. When near Bunker Hill we passed their encampment, and on arriving learned that about 500 rebel cavalry had passed through, some hours before our arrival, toward Winchester.
No other force was between Martinsburg and Winchester, and there had been none there for a week.
The report and prevailing belief the day we arrived, and until late the next day, were that the enemy were preparing to leave Winchester.
In the evening, however, it leaked out that information had been brought to headquarters that Johnston had been largely reinforced from Strasburg, and was intrenching himself as though determined to make a stand at Winchester.
Then came the order to be ready to march at daybreak, and the men and many of the officers thought, of course, it was to be upon Winchester.
But those doubted who knew that no sufficient supplies had been brought for an advance far into the interior, and who had observed that all day Sunday the large trains that had been for a week hauling the supplies to Martinsburg were hauling them back to Williamsport.
It was amusing to hear the remarks of the men as they were marching out the Charlestown road.
They seemed to know that they were not marching the direct route to Winchester.
Some said the enemy had put up intrenchments on the road, and this direction was taken to get in his rear.
Others thought that only a portion were taking this route, and that other divisions of the army were marching on the direct road.
Even after arriving at Charlestown there were many who thought they were on the way to Winchester.
The army marched in one column from Bunker Hill to this place, Gen. Cadwalader's division in front, Col. Thomas' brigade the advance guard, and Gen. Keim's division bringing up the rear, flanking companies and cavalry being thrown out on both sides to prevent surprise.
We met not a single enemy, not even a solitary horseman, and the march was performed without the occurrence of a single incident worth noting.
We arrived here about noon, and I do not think were very warmly received by the inhabitants.
This part of the country is strongly tinctured with secessionism.
The men say little, but the women (God bless them!) can't keep their tongues quiet, and will let the cat out of the bag.
This town contains about 1,500 inhabitants, and is the pleasantest place we have been in since leaving Hagerstown.
It contains many fine private residences, but most, indeed all, of the principal inhabitants, being secessionists, have left.
Their mansions are used by the chiefs of departments.
Gen. Patterson has his Headquarters at the residence of----Hunter, Esq., State's Attorney, (and, I believe, a nephew of the Senator.) Col. Crossman, Deputy Quartermaster-General, has his at the residence of an officer in the secession army, whose name I cannot just now think of.
To-day the Second Massachusetts regiment marched for Harper's Ferry, and this whole column, it is expected, will soon be moved there.
--N. Y. Time, July 26. A correspondent of the Philadelphia Press makes the following statement:--
Hagerstown, Md., July 25, 1861.sir:--You will confer a favor upon the friends of justice by giving space to the accompanying statement. I make this request in behalf of Pennsylvania, whose commanding General has been accused of dereliction of duty. The following is based upon the information of citizens of Berkeley county, Virginia, well known to me, who, having been impressed in the rebel force, deserted therefrom: At the time the first advance into Virginia was ordered General Johnston's force numbered over 14,000 men, and had attached to it a park of splendid artillery. General Patterson's command did not exceed 11,000 men, and he had not over eight pieces of artillery, which latter were taken from him, compelling the return of our army to Maryland. The second advance was made by 9,000 men, and not over ten guns. General Patterson knew from information derived from scouts, deserters, &c., that Johnston's force exceeded his own, and the result of a battle with him was deemed by the General and army officers more than doubtful. Upon our arrival at Bunker Hill we had not one man more than 18,000 men. This calculation is based on the assumption that each regiment numbered 700 fighting men. This, however, is too liberal an estimate, and after deducting the sick, and the camp guards, it will be seen that we could not have brought more than 14,000 men into the field Our artillery numbered eighteen guns, all of a small calibre, with the exception of four pieces. We had five companies of cavalry. Despatches from the War Department showed
