Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-22

by the side Of q post, aud engaged in the very
entertaining labor of grinding coffee in large
mill attached to the post. Another one is en-
gagged in cutting and splitting wood, and another
in pokiug the fire, whilst others are cooking,
system being observed throughout. We know
now why the families 10 this section kept so
many servants. The pine wood they burn is
80 very peculiar that it required two negroes to
keep one fire going.
1t wouli amuse you to see the interest mani
Tested, whenever lady passes. 1t Is so seldom
that such occurs, that one might presume that
the land was never blessed with the presence OF
the ladies' Occasionally one is seen, when all
are on the Qui DiDe to get a look at her. Some Of
the boys have offered quarter just for the sight
OF bonnet. Another one says ne is going to
send to some OF the city photographers, au order
for lot of female faces il is his design to set
up gallery, "a dime II peep, children half price,
no admittance for coulrabands front seats re-
served for bachelors" IIs thiAks he will do II
tall business. Two young officers, who were IL
short distance in the country few days ago,
visiting at n house, happened to glance up, aud
saw just above tho mantel, beautiful painting
of IL lady's face One of them like to have
jumped from his seat, whilst the other one gaaed
aud admired. II they couldn't look upon the
original, the transcript afforded them some sa-
tisiacton, they remarked.
II is interesting to visit the company tents on
Sabbath after inspection, when all, except
those on duty, are allowed to enjoy in its fullest
sense, their dolce far nienie Most of them arc
reclining, in a lazy attitude upon the iloors de.
lormined to avail themselves of q little rest
Some are reading the Bible or other religious
books. Newspapers, periodicals and pietorials
in ONE tents are abundant. As this is the day
for letter writing with many, numbers are eu-
gagged in describing to their friends at home their
personal experiences, and the little incidents of
camp life. deep religious feeling is apparent
with many. who are at no time better pleased
than when they receive visit from the Chaplain
who cutters the tent to converse with the occu-
pants. Amid the many temptations of SOL
dirr's life, and the many pr9judicial Influences
surrounding them, they strive not only TO dis
charge their duty to their country but to their
Cod
We witnessed funeral procession the other
day. which presented some other features than
solemnity. A negro child was to he buried
About fifty Of the sable race marched by, each
man with spade or pick on his shoulder. The
hox was suspended by ropes which four of the
men were holding. There was not a woman in
the crowd; the contrabands were travelling
along with not little nonchalance 1t appear
cd, that they had started out to their customary
work, and hal agreed to execute the job of in
icrment, by way of a little recreation.
These conlrabands, of whom there are repre-
sen,ed to be eighteen hundred here, are always
n study for one who has never been accustomed
t. witnessing the manner Of life of this casa-
Whether you view them in their fishing or oyster
ing in the river or creek, in their tcnemenis
where congregated are entire families, the fe.
male members Of which, are washing outside Of
the house, with host Of little mahogany color.
ed urchins running about some of them in Il
scarlet Xouave dress; on the road with large
baskets on their head in camp with pies for
sale; ut their labor, where each is in the others
way-thele is always food for thought and often
cause for merriment They, generally, are very
respectful, and appear to think that they are
indebted to the Union forces for the liberty they
are enjoying with such peculiar zest just at
present. Some of them say they didn't run
away from their masters their masters ranawny
from them. Government is now erecting large
wooden buildings as winter quarters for this
class " population. who have made tue Fortress
their Mecca. Tent life don't appear to agree
with them well in the cold season.
From the observatory Of the Hospital we have
quite an extended view of the various points
around, to which no slight degree of interest has
attached the parapets of the Fort make it
possible to see only portions of the Rip Raps
beyond with glass Sewells Point cau be dis
ccrned aud the rebels too New Port News is
near enough TO he visible, with the masts of
the shipping along side, whilst 10 the right,
the tall chimueys of the Inflated Hampton are
seen-lowering but crumbling monuments to
record n remarkable instance OF impoient rage
and spite, in which the consequences of the blind
folly and madness which nctuated the perpetrn-
tors in such wanton destruction, only recoiled
expression, biting of the nose to spite the face
here was an exemplidcation.
We have one madame in camp-Rumor by
name, who Is never ille the stories she circu-
lates are numerous and varied all kinds of re.
ports become current, not only about the affairs
of tue country, but the destination of our Regi.
mcnt: every day, something new is started to
afford the men n subject for converae-the re- |
presented approximation of rebel camps, rebel
scouts and attempted attacks; the life would
become very tiresome if there wasn't something
to impart sensation. Nearly every day, we
have reports ofrebels firing upon our pickets
during the night; there are alarms along the
line orthe pickets almost nightly: one nieLtlast
week, quite an interchange Of shots occurred
Some of our Delaware boys were fired upon, and
they not wishing to be outdone in such little
acts of courtesy, returned the fre no damage
was done so far as could be ascertained, as the
inen were protected by the darkness of the
woods. It is supposed that it was the purpose
of the rebels to effect a pnssnge across Back
River, few miles from our camp some say
they did cross it is not known what they are
meditating; possibly an unceTemonous visit 10
our camp some dark night, when we are dream
ing about aecessiOnsts; but the Regiments
stationed here appear to think it will not take
them long to get awake sufficiently to receive
them in proper style.
The most noteworthy event thathas iranspred
here of late was the Opportune visit of Paymaster
Townsend, with that safe of his, filled with gold