Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-12-27

Js II. rlhef, or Lne O0tn IA. neg. Dk,s W VI
d. Spaug, Esq
On BOARD STEAMER PAULDING,
Tuesday, Dec 10th, 1861.
DEAR SPANG Our long anticipated de-
parturo fer South Carolina, has at last taken
place, and while I am writing you, our steamer
is off the coast Of that amiable old State. We
will be in Port Royal tonight. Our regiment
will form part of The force for the invasion
of South Carolina. aud hope viii Participate
in the taking Of Charleston and Savannah.-
Our men are delighted with the prospect Of any
amount of adventure and battle, and ! can
promise you that if the Bedford County boys
get into fight with our rebel foe, they will
give good account of old Bedford County,
under Captains MuliIu, Lyous, Filler and Ma
dara. / am panied to write you that NC have
considerable number of deaths in the Tegi-
ment. Three Of Capt. Filters men died at
Fortress Monroe, of disease contracted In
Camp Curtin. Moses T.. Marshall died on
Friday last of typhoid fever. We could not
send home his remains, but be was buried IN a
graveyard by bis Company, with military
honors. There is now a much better state of
health in the regiment. All that we left in
the hospital are doing 6nely, and will soon be
| list of our sick soldiers, which please band to
our friend Over for publication. Our good
people at home may thus be enabled TO give
them any attention which their benevolent
feelings may suggest.
We have had few incidents worthy of note
| during our voyage, thus far. Eight hundred
sea sick soldiers, vomiting on deck, and be-
tween decks aud 10 the cabin, cannot be said
to be very interesting subjects for description,
heroic as they may possibly be on land
Strange. have not been sea-sick myself, and
l expected TO be among the very first.
lnnumerable sea-guils follow the wake Of
| the ship 10 make repast upon the rations which
the stomachs of our a-sick soldiers resigned
TO them. 1t was interesting to watch them,
now soaring and wheeling over our heads, and
diving down upon the wave after piece of re-
jected army beef i tried to shoot one of them,
altogether unmndful OF the fearful story Of
the ancient marinef-bui | am no mariner and
the bird was no albatross; besides, am not
good shot
Yesterday at noon We resehed Caps Halter,
as, where our boat stopped to land some sol,
diers belonging to the Now York 9th, and the
Pennsylvania 4Sth Regiments, which are sta
toned here. 1t is most bleak and iphospi-
table coast never saw more barren and
desoiaie spot. Breakers dash high against the
shore, and treaeherous sand>banks. half con
| cesleG b. the waves, are all around. The
| fort was almost dismanilcd by he guns of our
troops when they took it. Ii is built, you are
aware, on the narrow strip of land, which runs
along the North Carolina coast for many miles.
and is separated from the main-land by Pam
leo Sound, broad and beautiful sheet of va
ter. The bar upon which the fort stands is
scarcely three qaarfers ni a milo vide Tho
entrance to the Sound is guarded by five arm
| ed vessels. 1t was here that the rebel pirates
found secure haven. They could rua their
prizes 10 with the greatest case. But that
game Is all over now. 1t was very good as
long IS it lasted. This important position is
guarded by the gun boats, the two regiments
! have named, aud the guns Of tue Fort.
They are enough for all practical purposes.--
You will never bear OF the rebels attempting
to retske it, important as it is to them.
Very truly, your friend,
lOtlN