Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-06-08
Editors Correspondence.
For the Columbia Democrat.
CAMP CURTIN,
MAY %, 1861.

write my weekly letter has arrived, but
find myself without much material to make
it interesting. Capt. Ricketts, is still absent
in Philadelphia. We miss him very much.
Lieut.. Ent, however, almost fills his place.
The men are willing to part with Ricketts,,
in case he is elected Colonel of our regi-
imont, and Ent succeeds him as Captain.
The Democrat of last week made mis-
take in stating that he had ahrcooly been
elected Colonel. Our destination is yet
unknown, though rumors state that we will
have to leave this camp some time this
week. We may also be uniformed, armed
and put into regiment in a few days
The ordeal of examination was passed last
Saturday morning. 1t was an important
event in the lives of most of us. About
twelve of us feared wo would not pass,
and so made our arrangements accordingly.
The standard of height had been raised
from s feet inches, to feet Al inches.
We went to bed early the night previous,
and staid there until the time for examina
ton next morning. The surgeon told US
we would measure nearly an inch more by
this means
was the second one in, and it was with
fear and trembling that unstrippcd myself
aud approached the mark. The surgeon
told me to str,tch, and l did stretch about
an inch over the mark. l bore the rest Of
the examination very we'll Only one Of
our party, so far, have been excluded on
account of bad health. Two were found
to be under size. They have returned
homo.
Our company commands as much attcn'
ton as ever. You can see this by reference
to the Harrisburg papers. Whenever we
appear in the city, we are kindly greeted
by the citizens, invited to their residences,
and treated to convenient daintics. Allu-
sion is made to our order, morals, &C., in
the principal churches.
Of course, in a miscellaneous collection
of between two and three thousand men,
unused to military discipline and confnc-
mcnt, much confusion exists. Yet we have
better order than might be expected under
the circumstances. The s'buck- tails cause
us the most trouble. The most of them
are true-hearted men, and perform their
duty when called upon; yet, have a stri-
king penchamt for going over the fence
and returning in boozy condition. In
this respect, they are not the only offenders.
When caught in this condition they are
put into the guard house, and in some cases,
compelled to assist in lcvcling the camp
ground the next day. Occasionally q
party of individuals will try to rescue the
prisoners, whercupon general excitement
ensues throughout the camp. The Iron
Guards" are always called upon to quell
these rows, and by their frequent cxortions
in this respect have gained the appellations
of "Camp Police, ""Seilcr's Body Guard,
&c. Almost every other night We are
called upon to meet We know not what
1t requires only five minutes for the com.
pany to dress themselves, seize their mus
kcts, and be off in double quick time for
their rendesvous. The pluck of the men
has also been tried on these occasions, as
we have marched out several times to meet
an excited crowd, well armed with rifles
and revolyers, while we had nothing but
empty muskets. Threats of shooting us
down, did not make a man trcmble. On
one occasion, man was trying to escape
from the guard-house, but after the com
Inand "chargc bayonct," he was SO hem.
med in with SttckerS that he was glad to
crawl back.
/ Yesterday forenoon we were sworn in
Our company lacked seven men of being
full, yet it was deemed cxpedient to take
our chance. The scene was all impressive
one, and doubt not that the oath of allie.
glance will be sacredly kept by all. Here
after, we will act instead of play soldier
Governor Curtin, in speech made to US
few days ago, stated, that he intended tc
equip tho State Reserve in the best man.
ner, and arm it with the best and mos
destructive arms in use. No expense will
be spared in preparing it for action, mol
will it be disbanded till the stars and stripes
float from every fort and arsenal, Nortl
and South. When this column moves, i
will tell fearfully on the armies brough
against US.
Several new companies have arrived il
camp lately, and moro are expected, Il
the one from Northumberland l noticed