Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-05-16
Letter from Camp Curtin.

!
the drops that come in through our hemlock
| roof. Camp Curtin has been so often descrb'
ed, that it is. perhaps, unnecessary to say more
than it is situated about one mile and o half
above town, in the enclosed grounds of the
Agricultural Society. Accommodations fer
soldiers have been erected on the four sides Of
the enclosed space, consisting of sheds, OF a
very common kind. On the space within the
| circular track of the race course, are situated
other sheds of rather better character-the
store houses and ho.pital-the parade ground
occupying ore side OF the space, and a multi
| tude of tents whitening the other. The parade
ground is vdged and uneaVcn-not very good
! for beginners, bnt affording good practice to
the better drilled companies. The level track
of the course IS chiefly used when the mud is
not too deep, atfording q good place for the
practice of double quick time, aud originating
muny intricate moves to avoid collision The
Camp, when full, is place of considerable in
tereSt, and on pleasant day the movements
of sometimes five thousand men in all styles Of
dress and discipline combined with the gISten-
ing OF acres Of FURNISHED muskets, and the in.
spring colors OF the hundreds of banners, and
the presence of the ladies' make up al attrac-
tive scene, and the time passes pleasantly; but
on a day Ike this. the boys have to fall back
upon the primitive amusements of a nap in the
straw, game of euchre, smoking, reading and
meditation. Among so many there must be
some geniuses, and some new excitement is
constantly arising. In one part Of the Camp
may be seen group of gymnasts whose featS
would not disgrace a circus, in another sing
ers who would do credit to a stage, as well
as burlesque parades, JEFF Davis funerals, ora
tons, and every conceivable amusement that
ingenuity can invent to make the time pass
pleasantly. Cooking is done generally by two
or three men from each company, who make
it their business. Some have stoves incIosed
III shantees, while others may be seen sitting
in the rain around wood fire, holding their
meat to the Goals upon the point of the bayo-
net. The ratous of fresh beef, bread, pota-
toes, rice coffee, sugar, &c, are drawn every
day, aud are of good quality, and in quantity
more than suiicient-enough being wasted to
feed q small town.
The routine of Camp life is about as fol-
lows. At the reyillic in the morning at 5
o'clock. every one is required to turn out 10
roll call, after which there is drill till break
fast time, when they arc dismissed till some APP
pointed time--which time sometimes means
The next morning, and the balance Of the day
is spent in killing time to the best advantage
some preferring to drill in ssquad5, Others
comfortably disposed in the tents read the pa
pers, or the Bible, while noS small number
direct their energies to some means Of eluding
the gnard and getting to town. in which they
arc often successful. At 0 o'clock, tattoo is
beat, and every one is supposed to put out his
lights and be quiet but it is oftentimes the
nosiest time of alI-whoe companies often
joining in singing some familiar hymn, or roar
ing in laughter at some odd circumstance or
remark. The reality OF war does not seem to
be realized, bnt all has the appearance of
protracted Fourth of July The Camp at the
present writing has rather deserted appear
ance, being occupied by cnly twenty unattach-
ed companies, though new companies are ar
riving every day, and preparations are making
to receive large number, who will come in
under the new requ;SitiOn.
Owing to the three-months' requiSition be-
ing filed, a considerable number from each
company have left, not being willing to enter
the service tor longer time than they enlist
ed for. Company A was cut down nearly one
half good portion of those who left imme-
diately entered the I4th and 18th regiments,
which were about TO march, while a number
being anxious to see their mammals, started
for home, aud may probably have been seen
abont the streets ere this. The company will
not suffer by the loss, as the required number
can easily be filled up here-though no effort
has yet been made, as We expect recruits from
home. Perhaps those who left are not SO
blamcwOrthy as some may think, for it GER
tainy requires more nerve to bear the delay
and diIIy ,daliyng to which we have been sub
jected, than would be needed in actual ser
vice
Our boys arc all well, though we have been
saddened by the death and danger OF comrades
whom we were compelled to leave on the way
We occupy comfortable quarters, (when i:
don't rain, and have had nothing to mar our
harmony. At our late election, a. j. TRoUr
was elected Captain, and a. G. Mason, First
Lieutenant and j. BILL MEANS as Second