Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-11-28
Correspondence Indiana Journal.
FROM THE GOTH.
CAMP HAMILTON, near Ft. Monroe,
s3ssaH November IA, 1861.
ave stand upon our native heath"

w sItnu upOn OuI hati'S ucdtu.
Sunday morning broke as calm and
lovely as ever a day in Indian summer,
and found the Twentieth Indiana safe at
this post. Our feelings cannot be describ
ed in words. at finding ourselves again
where grass grows and trees shed their fo
liage. 1t is as if one were so overpowered
with Joy that he had TO shut his eyes to
hide the great light. and only let in little
at time. The entire day wandered a
round. like an escaped prisoner. looking at
the beauties Of land and water. wondering
how escaped. and if ever should be put
in again. a.a sff
The sun rising from the ocean: the fort
showing its grassy slope above the stone
walls; the bays and estuaries sparkling
with the sunbeams; the woods. with their
inviting shades and gorgeously tinted fo-
liage; the fleet lying in the bay. and the
hum of many camps upon the shore; all
contrasting in so opposite manner with
the sterile scene we had left-filled our
hearts to overhowing with thankfulness.
The regiment quickly disembarked. and.
marching over the long bridge. soon reach.
ed the main land and their camping
ground. Here the boys stamped their
feet. and looking curiously beneath them
would say, why, it don't give a bit!
"It is solii!" "How good it feels" and
would analyze the soil. to be fully con-
vinced it was old mother earth once more
Soon, marking our lines. acquisitions were
made out. and oy sun-down a complete
outfit of Sibley tents was pitched. and the
smoke Of our fires mingled with that of the
other soldiers camped hcreabouts.
1t seems as If Aladdin had rubbed his
lamp and summoned all his slaves to aid
the Twenticth-so sudden is their trans.
formation. To lie down one day sick.
ragged. almost despairing. the sea threat
ening to swallow them: to get up. two days
afterward. on firm ground. with new tents.
warmed with stoves, new clothes. new
blankets. plenty all about them; new every
thing; why. we do not know ourselves, so
good do we feel 1t is like young girl l
once knew, who, when demonstrated with
by her mother on the impropriety of al
lowing young fellows to kiss her. replied
navely, II can't help it, its feels so good. :"
The boys could be seen introducing each
other. and some of them hunting mp evil
dence to vouch for their own identity.
But a new outfit was not all. for our
friends at home had remembered us. and
box after box of presents were tumbled out
Of the constantly arriving wagons-all for
MS. This is what touched our hearts-to
think we were so well thought of at home:
to think Of the busy fingers that had toiled
to get so much ready in time; every want
anticipated. every desire grati6ed. We
had to sit down. at times, and rest. and
then go into new packages. and again sit
down and feel good. while tears Of joy
would come to our eyes at the touching
evidences of love and friendship. Oh!
| friends al home! many were the prayers.
and heartfelt the thanks that went mp on
the shores of Hampton Roads in the quiet
night that closed about us. And the i'm
mediate necessities of the regiment were
supplied: for SO well was our condition
known at home. and so intuitively and ju-
diciously appreciated. that every man re-
ceived present Of fine tooth comb,
To Governor Morton we feel forever
grateful. Bless his energetic spirit and
kind heart, for we have reason to know
that he has worked for us. To General
Mansfield we feel grateful Bless his kind
old heart. He is doing everything to re-
cruit our exhausted strength. and, as day
after day he passes through the camp. his
benevolent smile lights up all around him.
Last night I took stroll in the diree-
tion of the secession pickets, but got no
further than Hampton Bridge. / could
see the honses Of Hampton filled with
lights. and could pass no further, this be-
ing kind Of neutral ground. where both
pickets often come in contact. Some de-
serters. lately. from the enemy's camp. re-
port them in q starving condition. living
mostly on boiled corn. ssfo aaIaesferl F,
1 Near the beach is splendid edifice.
once used for female college. now par
tally occupied by soldiers. 1t is five sto-
ries high. about $50 feet front. and 60 feet
deep. the front ornamated with columns.
A building where grace and beauty once
moved. now guard house, Such is one
of the results of the madness of the South
Near by there was Niger meeting going
on. About one hundred contrabands were
present. II was quaint and interesting
scene. They prayed for the soldiers. for
their absent relatives. and il ever sincere
prayer went up to Heaven. twas from the
lips of those simple hearted. poor. forlorn
people. Submissive and willing. they
have suffered till almost the spirit Of resist
ance Is crushed forever. GO sisl 20. 'a1i'
I Jack Evans welcomed ne with his hos
pitable face. upon our arrival 1t this post,
brought us news from home and eighteen
good men to fillup our ranks He is now
dealing out our. bread and bntser. and tells
me that the Army Oven at the Fortress
bakes seven thousand loaves Of bread per
day. -.
The Isl Delaware regiment have a camp
alongside Of MS. They are splendidly uni
formed and drilled. and have a magnificent
band. There is also here the Doth New
York. (Col. Webster's) the 18th Massa-
chusetts, the Union Coast Guards, and q
number of cavalry compsniee. At New
! port News there are large forces. but /
have not boen there. ~ . s.s...s... e
| Here is indeed the school Of the soldier
AT every hour in the day you msy zee re-
| giments and squads drilling. skirmishing.
lpFacticing IN every way to make discipline
norfecf Wssll NAV aecesSion' va1ne this