Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-11-22
aanesre Army correspondence.
CAMP king, Ky, Nov. 18th, 1861

CAMP HING, ny, NOV. ISln, lcOl'
Mr.. Elto,:
Thinking few items concerning soldiers
life might not Ge unintcresting, have followed
the spirit of the times and volunteer" you u
letter. This camp, as you perhaps know, Is
GOnr miles from C"yington, but u short dis
taIce of 4 good nacadImizrd road; the cross
road which leads to it is excellent, in good
weather. \ litilc rain makes it, in common
with the other mud roads Of Kentucky, not
only muddy, hut slippery, as if it had been
thoroughly oiled or sOIpcd. Can II b5 that
the politicians or the State extend their "Per-
alions to the very soil ilssIf? This Bl ca
Lick Valley is lovely spot; the camp is Oh
what we at home would call quite rrsPecta'
ble HILL but those which surround us dwarf it
iuto iusignifcAnce. 1t is sufficiently high TO
drain very rapidly, and is soon dry after
shower. This has been sunny, warm day;
"Ihe sound Of cracking nuts is heard all over
the camp with the sORgs of the men, who are,
many OF theu, ,loing tLt l. washing. They go
out in squads Of fifteen or sixteen, those who
have much to do, others paddle out tEeir shir-
or u pair of socks or so, in a tub that SECS --ac-
tive service passing from hand to hand insid:
the camp. Passing 10y little stump day or
two since, SAW. carefully dcpusited upon it,
a square piece Of what. at first. seemed mud
cake, such AS children make, but u second look
showed me that it vas originally soup, and
that probably | was intruding upon some ones
dressing roOui.
There are now eight full companies belong
ing to this regiment, armed with Greenwood
Rifle Muskeis. (,;xcept the tNso fanking COM
-panies who who carry EufErld Rifirs.) very we'll
drilled for the time they have been in the scr
vie, ard well uficrred. The last statement
is the voluntary testimony Of number of the
Rler;, not only Uf company ID but Of others.
! strangers to ne. Going to the Hospital Onc
afternoon, one Of the patients who was out for
| walk. JOINED me and in reply to some qucs-
/ tiOEs as TO care, fare, &c, expressed himself
/ perfectly satisfied. lie Lad been there three
weeks; was to be discharged the next DAY, and
remarked: why, in some regiments they don't
seem 10 ike their officers. We all like ours,
! the boys all Say So" The Lieut. Colonel Is
the Colonel, the only one the men know. Col.
j WkittlescyiS duties elsewhere keep him from
doing more than give a passing call, which he
usually does daily. The tents are ncurly al
| provided with trenches through the middle,
covered with stone, with Place just outside
the tcRf door for building fire, and open
ing back Of tic teIt for the chimney. They
draw well, heat readily. and make them very
comfortable. There is Une thing I'm small
wuy) which many Of the men Of company ~"
and presume others necd-go warm nit
tens, knit with thumb and fore finger sepa
rate, TO enable them TO handle their guns read
lily. These cold nights are pretty hard on the
fingers when handling iron or steal, and MANY
! WIN have gloves aie saving them for colder
+ weather. Nearly all of this company are pro-
vided with ",xtra" bedding which ls none too
much. They ruuge Ih.ir knapsacks side 10y
side, on two sides ofthe tent, and lie with their
I feet meeting over the trench. Suppose YOu
have one too tall" said /, OF seeing the neatly
arranged teut. oh, he must double up" WIS
the reply, with laugh. All the d dscomfortS
are mel in tue same happy spirit. have not
! seen gloomy or sour face III our company
Ono morning after severe thunder storm, ]
asked, How did you get along last night
why. didp't know It r.;lItd or thundert
even, Till some one told inc this morning., and
many others said the same. Tile thunder echoed
um Jng the hills like the report of cannon
There is one company belonging TO this regi-
pany Il. composed of the the offenders from
all the other companies. They decorate them
selves with paper shoulder straps and epaulcts
make even the best Of that, if they must be
/ punished, and are made to work all ronnd the
camp, with an armed escort or two. Last Sun
day the first regular service was held by the
Chaplain, formerly Lieut.. Knapp. He is very
faithful in his daily life, holds prayer meeting
r'guarly, and is much respected by the men,
The sound of so many men ) voices swelling
the hymns, is both unusual and fne. Crowds
come out ezery fine Sunday from the ncghbor
ing cities, many who ought TO be in the ranks
themselves, wunder around with hands in their
pockets md pipes in their mouths, marked
contrast TO our soldier boys. C1l. Whiltlesey
is anxious that all the regiment shall be pro
! vdcd with mittens. and learned tonight from
the Lieut.. Col. that shirts, sheets, and pillow
cases are much needed at the Hospital. Will
not Delaware remember her absent sons in
these very. essential particulars A small
supply is expected to morrow, but more would
be very welcome. Many wagons and horses
stand on an adjoining hrll supposed to Indicate
a movement somewhere at 10 very distant day,
and What were drne twcre well ii wyre done
quickly" Yours,