Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-06-25

LETTER FROM CAMP ANDREWS.
LETTER NO. Z.
Ne,c Fqg-Bm IN Cdmp-SOng Singiag-G Good
Yreatmeni- Uaicn Ladies AHeahpc-Surround'
ed Jg Friends Hisitors--A Neo Pass Order
to More Busy time with Letter Writers, Sc.
CAMP ApDREws, Elkton. Md
Saturday night, June %, 1861.
Ma. EDITOR -
As q company now, We may be
likencd to the little shaver with his first pair Of
boots we feel proud, all step about more briskly |
lift their feet higher, go through the double
quiok with greater degree of alacrity, practice
at the drills with more spirit and precision, feel
taller, hold their heads up more confidently, are
becoming more Independent, and withal act more
aolderly, aud all the consequence of what, is the
the query? Why the secret of this remarkable
imitation is, we have become the fortunate pro-
prietors of nice little flag, which is proudly
floating on our encampment, the object of ad
miratiou upon the part of the men. who ever
and anon may be seen glancng up to IT, with
satisfaction. Aud ii was the gift of lady who
thrust it out of a window, as VIC were passing
1t was Immediately conveyed to the camp rs
valuable trophy, where amidst much enthusiasm
it was raised upon pole, aud as the Stars and
Stripes wero Haunted in the breeze, three hearty
cheers went up. II is astonishing what an
amount Of demonstration piece Of hunting can
iucte under certain circumstances. No flag has
ever graced our camp before, either in conse
quence of the absence of devotion or dimes
If one nnarquainted with the nature and pur-
poses of our encampment should pass by some
evening, when the men are vocaly inclined, he
might readily fancy that real, old fashioned,
country camp meeting was in progress, and that
the darkies were having glorious time general
ly. dozen or twenty of the soldiers will place
themselves before tent and mpart an impetus
to the affair Some will sing hymns in which
the negro delights, with 80 much similarity Of
voice and gesture, and general effect that one
might in the absence Of moonlight, conceive that
they were the genuine article without any bogus.
Some will vibrate to and fro; some practice
themselves in the characteristic salatory motion,
, whilst others run around, apparently much ex-
i cited, hating occasionally to indulge in one
sharp, piercing shout, and then start hurric1y
4 oil again in his crcuitous route. All clap their
. hands and join in the chorus until new life ap-
a pears to be infused into them. Tho scene 10
II many particulars, strikingly resembles those
/, witnessed nj camp meetings, when the African
u gets his dormant religious feelings aroused and
l. and gives forche expression to them in his Owr
e peculiar way, when there is not u note Of dscord
a in the singing simple though ii may be, to CRATE
harshly on the eaT. At the tap of the drum, the
: music suddenly ceases the personatinq
10 the ambulating enthusiasts come to Il halt tber
n oil rush for their respective tented ahOdce, uud
no quietuie is again restored.
/ The citizens are now beginning to reward oui
J." men for their uniformly gcntlemany demeanoi
towards the inhabitants of the town. Yesterda,
10 another dinner was prepared and sent to the
n Camp to regalc the soldiers; pies, pickles, peas
cherries and beer by the bucket full, were place.
ie upon the table, and eXpediiiously disposed Of a
y the expense of one family, whose Union senti-
ments are strong, and inctc to such acts o
kindness. Soldiers generally arc not very un
. grateful they are IN appreciaiive body of men
- are not unmnliu Of evidences Of good will
n but show By their actions aud conversation
Ill that gratitude is not stranger to the heart
Il To render slight return, by way of acknOw
4 ledgment, last night, in body, they proceeds
TO the residence OF the Indy who hal shown then
OF so mnny favors, aud gave very excellent sere
made: having some good singers in the compan
they were enabled to conduct it with some it'll
credit.
To-day M intimation was received that n
ali supper need be prepared on the ground; that th
,- Union ladies' would that that meal was forth
If coming This citizens had the large ware hOus
If near the camp clenred up, and put in order 70
~ the occasion Benches and tables were put uT
Of and at four O'clock baskets-yes, one cart loa
nm of provsions-were deposited in the building
mo- The ladies' soon presented themselves, and bega
Nv The work cloths were spread, plates, cup
M knives, forks were adjusted, and the auppt
80 placed upon the table, and such a supper 70
Ia abundance md variety, it could not be surpasse
~ down this way There were fresh meats
we various kinds, pies, cakes bread, butter, pickle
If sauces, vegetables, coffee, tea aud ICED milk.
m was well gotten up, mud for style would has
ia been a credit to frs. class city hotel. III
,ro men seated themselves, and waited upon by Il
nm ladies, Of whom there was large number u Il
la house enjoyed the destruction of the yiands.-
They felt US though they were in civilized Ii
inv again, when they were pliyiledged 10 cat wi
I'D knives und forks, drink from cupg, and take
~ menl from table covered with cloth
ant doubtless revived IL home feeling in the bosom
nf some in the recollection of certain home con
ta forts. and developed gratitude towards the XII
and patriotic ladies' here, who had afforded the
nm opportunity for the revival of such feeling
But The supper, like all things else, must ha
an end aud the men after testing their dyspe
tic powers to their utmost, arose and march
out Of the house in good Order after hav
NJ EXPRESSED themselves in cheers, for the ladies'
tate Elkton. A large amount of provisions was st
,er- left so much TINT some of the men were alarl
a.. ed lest they would not be permitted to rem0
wv here long enough TO consume them, and aGcor
rue ingly some of them proposed that Applicant
day should be made to head quarters for an exta
the sion Of time, in order that they might prevent
-. many delicacies and substantials from spoilii
su'n There were almost enough provisions prepar
to feed the First Delaware Regiment Compn
ont, q, will live well for the next few days.
l,n lay Al qpn ne M n IN
~, friends here, who feel some little interest
$50" them. At all events they have shown a liv
mb, interest, for they have bestowed many iavo
form which enttle them to be warmly remember
Ii the men were such as to think more of
49,, qualification of their appettes, than their d.
'.'' TO their country, they would regret to leave
the place for they have found kind hearted pGoI
ch- and many of them.
the After the supper was over, number of {
ladies visited our camp, II ID needless to 81
rous that we entertained them to the best of
tate ability, showing them style Of housckeepi
the aud giving them synopsis of camp-life, al
die which appeared to interest them.
Thus will it be seen that the soldiers lif,
LOT not one made up exclusively Of hardshps O
and INVITATIONS. without any pleasant redeeming f
ord lures belonging to it, or episodes OF an agreeal
encouraging nature, to enlyen the time, to MSS
in filling in ones history with diversity Of eli
end ~ q nn;n, new eras ne IN tbe colendo,
on of existence If any one is impressed with
vest belief that tho profession is devoid utterly of
Doint resources of enjoyment because forsooth, 81
. a course OF action is connected with camp,
lOpt- ia sufficiently impossible with sympathy
lend commisserate in the tenderness OF their he
gun the condition Of the poor soldier, that one lat
49, | unler an erroneous conviction, which if it d