Advocate and Press

December 4, 1861

Company B, 7^th Reg’t P.R.V.C

Camp Pierpont, VA, Nov 24, 1861

Dear Brother----- I must write to tell you about our tramp and Grand review which took place on the 20^th inst. At Munson’s Hill, ten miles from our camp. We started from camp at 5 o’clock in the morning. After marching about three miles, as we supposed, we came to Lewinsville. This place contains about a dozen homes, all told a store, church and tavern. The village has suffered the strom of war, and felt the strength of the Federal arms.-- The houses are deserted, and used to shelter our pickets from the weather---. The next place we arrived at was Fall’s Church, which of late has been brought so prominently before the public. In size, it is about as large as Luwinsville. The church, once an elegant one, is now the abode of our soldiers. Fall’s Church unlike the place is not deserted, but contains its number of inhabitants, who when asked if it had not been deserted replied, at one time, but that they had returned under the protection of the Union soldiers. Near the curch are ten fresh graves, showing that men had met in mortal combat. After we had passed through the town, we halted in close proximity to it until General Smith’s division had marched by. We gain took up our march and came upon and passed several lately built fortifications. A mile we came to Munson’s Hill where the traitors had planted their black emblem of secession in the very sight of the Federal Capitol; but on the advance of the grand army were compelled to leave their rifle pits and corn stalk cabins. As we ascended the brow of the hill a grand sight met our gaze. A large field of 400 acres was filled with soldiers and citizens from Washington and its vicinity.The hill and every place whence a view could be had was filled with people. We took our positions and patiently waited the coming of McClellan. We did not wait long until booming of cannon told us the general had thence entered the field. As McClellan and stag and President Lincoln and cabinet passed along the line they were welcomed with loud huzza’s from the soldiers, and bands playing, “Hail to the Chief”. It was a sight that made the pulse beat quick.

The whole army on the Virginia side of the Potomac, consisting of 70,000 men, was reviewed. Our division passed under review first on account , I suppose, of the great distance of the encampment---2^nd perhaps, because it is the best.

We arrived at camp about 5 o’cloc, amply repaid for out march, of twenty miles. Taking it all in all it was a most brilliant affair. No more. Write soon.

J.P. Sheibley