Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-03

4hE4s
Carr gRousD4 Il. Aug. 80 1861.
The civilized w'orki has turned its anxious eyes
toward the Anieriean Consnent; and the good and
great, king, prince ana pessent Of every nAtion on
the globe, where the genius of Liberty is loved
or feared, are now quietly observing cur struggle
for Independence and aiting 20 llearg the success
or defeat of our arms, in this uaholy crusade
against the South by the Goths and Ysndals Of the
North We, too, while engaged in our duties as
civilians at the mechanics bench; the planters
plow the chemists laboratory; the preacler's pull.
nit. the attorneys Office and the Students studies
and all the other avocatiOns Of cur Industrious
men, at home, are impstisnt for the news from
our army now upon the tented field, and with
iereest excite lent we await its coming on the
swiftwinged lehtnings fash, bearing the glad Ii
digs Of sfanotieF vIctoryo throughout the length
and breadth of our land But how many of us stop
to think of the soldier il his camp, or dream the
Ficisstudes and pFiyafi0ns OF soldiers llieI TO
one who visits military encampment for the first
time, everything is novel and interesting and at
every turn some new feature presents Itself; and
to those who have never seen military camp,
the tent and targets are an unusual sight A brief
though imperfect sketch Of camplife may, be wOr5
thy Of perGsa. q
Leaving Mtche lsxille on the six o clock train we
reached Richland Station, and after pleasant ride
of fifteen minutes we came in sight Of Camp Trous-
The morning was bright with golden sunshine and
the warblng IF merry birds amidst the foliage lent
Nv 10 V4tb bukO1eAi hstAtSA
we ssed. Arriving at the camp we found SPLEEN
did display Of soldiers drilling in battsions, compa
MES and squads and the music Of natures songsters
was exchanged for the rolling drums, the shril fife,
and the clear notes of the bnge as it pealed through
the surrounding forest. The spectacle was ipspr-
ing and exceedingly interesting but it is unneees-
ssry here to speak Of the fine nan@uvering in the
various drills. and the military tactics displayed by
the gallant men, commanded as they ere by excel
lent officers whose daring and discipline have been
ID Elm fha haff f1ald
ments now at Camp Trousdale will win unfading
lsureis when they called upon 10 measure steel
with the enemy. The morning drill being over. they
return to camp in regiments and break of into
companies and squads as they reach their re-.
spectiye quarters, We followed in the wake of the
advancing column. but coming up to the guard lines
was commanded by sentinel, with fixed kayonet
and arms port, to "HlA!p which, of course, we diS,
'sY GU essuot pass here. gentleman witlsout''' =
said the guard. 10 another moment
were inside the lines, and at r. once wel-5
ding our wsy 10 the headquarters of Col. Matt
Martins regiment where we found eur old friend,
DR.. James l. Thompson, who is surgeon Of tile reg
iment. He met us in his usual frank and earnest
manner and gave Us a cordial welcome TO his
marquee. Here we saw applicants for medicines
prescriptions ETC.. for all palms, aches colds coughs
every i'll peculiar to camp life, excepting dis
like 70 drill and go on duty. Aay one who presufes
the duty o. surgeon to be light when administering
to the wants of whole regiment will fnd his error
by spending an hour ut surgeons marquee. Each
Captain appears anxious to have his men who are
Ill ndispesed cared for first and IS there is but
One surgeon, with his ASSISTANTS he must always be
Rt his post There is excuse for him; no eXenp-
ton from duty; and were 20 choose between doing
double service private and taking bis place, 30
far as labor and fatigue is concerned, would give
preference to the former. As Surgeon, the DIR. is
deserVedly popular with his regiment. and his I'M
firing zeal and earnest efforts to meet each case
promptly entities him to the highest regard from
all who share his attentions. R-l-2i b llfli-
Colonel Martin being absent we did not see him,
but had the good fortune to meet MsjOF George II.
Nixon, who has service in all It's phases and,
if memory serves US arghtIt was this brave officer
who was Lieutenant in the Bloody First regiment
of Tennessee Volunteers during the Mexican war,
and when his Captain fell led on the gallant men
under his command to victory, at the taking of Mon
terey. L..1a w t. sa -s s-
In stroll through the camp, we observed some
soldiers lounging upon their blankets outside the
tents silentaad thoughtful. Others sat inside read
ing, writing. telling stories and st cards; while
groups of cheerful oily fellows were PLAYING
praBks on each other, here and there throughout
the camp. Atone tent we observed a little, dumpy
man writing on his knee; at another were the sol
diers composing mess attentivey listening To a
meEsuate read letter from home. little fur
Their young man scarcely out Of his teens
lying face downward IT the shade, with pencil and
note paper writing open bible, probably the
parting gift of devoted mother or loved sister.
We observed another writing on piece of bark a
second On Tue DCILO0 Oh bucket, a uSeQ q Ll0
pan while the drummer boys made writing desks
of their Instruments. 4
Upon the lett On entering the camp near
Colonel Palmers regiment, is a large, gloomy
looking guard house casdthe wolf pen built ofirough
heavy logs, nOtched down as to leave but little
space between them. 1t is bout five feet high on
The Eoutside and is covered with timber equally
heavy as that forming its sides Il has small
door, fastened By lock the outside through which
dsobedient and disorderly soldiers pass to atone
for insubordinstiOn and conduct unworthy of
Tennessee volunteer.
The encsmPment Is made in the woods and is
well shaded With thrifty young oak, hickory, and
other forest trees and laid out with regular
streets some of which named after favorite 10.
calIties. popular officers and sold crs sweet hearts
springs which discharge abundance ofpEre cold
water more than supply for the men and horses,
which greatly add to the heathness of the camp.
Dianer is served at precisely twelve O'Clock, and
the cooking Is interesting feature in the duties
of the day. The members OF each mess usually
cook day or week about; and some of them 60
about it awkwsrdly enough too, while others
can dress fowl, or fry meat make bis,
cult and turn slap jack with the ease T gnSeX-
peTienced cook. The officers and many Of the priS
Yates have their own servants TO do the cooking
which relieves them from this unpleasant pro
gTsmme. - tf
After dinner we saw some soldiers very busy
washing their clothes IN buckets and hanging them
out to dry on grape, vine, stretched between two
trees above their heads. U. JETTA.