Smyrna times., 1861-12-19
SCELLAN NEOUS.
Written for the Smyrna Times
Letter from Camp Hamilton.
CAMP HAMILTON, Fortress Monroe, Va,
1OGI

CAMP HAMILTON, Fortress Monroe, Va,
December IL, 1861.
Dear Times:-Whh guard duty, picket
duty and a severe illness, your correspondent
has been prevented from writing you for some
time. If you will excuse the prOcrastination,
he will endeavor to be more faithful in future.
We have now every assurance of staying
here all winter, and the prospect is anything but
iauering We had hope. strengthened from
time, to time that we would rendezvous al Port
Royal; out the fiat has gone forth, and we must
sUccumb. 'Tls bleak here-the wind how;s
dFeadfully, and the white, heavy frosts of ear's
morn warn US that Winter has taken his abode
among US. Nevertheless, with all his eecen-
trio frlvolities, we fhd the old fellow clever in
many respects; and, take him altogether, he is
not so cold hearted as many would suppose
We have picket duty in abundance to per-
form, and some how or other the " boys" rather
like it, There is only one thing that mars the
pleasure, and that is the cowardce OF the f. F.
VS.. If they would only sneak up to our boys
and get shot once in a while, it would amelIo.
rate the monotony that otherwise clings round
us. Still we cannot blame them for their In.
ordinate love of life, can we!
The truth need no longer be disguised, that
there is great deal of sickness prevailing now
in the regImeHt. Even since we have been paid
otithe Doctor has had his hands full The most
of these cases sprang from excessive eating of
dilicacles. The cases are not dangerous, still
they tend to weaken the numerical strength OF
the regiment, and make it harder upon those
that are well.
We have devotional singing and praying in
one or more OF the tents every night, and, as
"VOiee after voice catches up the strain"
the effect is really inspiring. Some of these
prayers would really do credit to old soiourn-
ers within the House of God, and are given
with that sincerity of purpose that knows no
hypocrlcy.
Our friends really think of US, and none more
so than the Editor of the Times Indeed dear
sir, your little packages are received by US with
every demonstration of delight, and we take
this opportunity of returning to you soldier,
thanks.
After next payday, which will be on lhc
first OF January, furlough of ten days dura
tion, will be given out, and one or two from
the respective companies given leave to visi
their friends, and the opportunity will be avail
ed by many.
A park of artillery has just passed our camp
and stopped about two hundred yards in tron
of U.s. They are probably destined TO figure a
Yorktown.
Company c, which is composed almost ex
clHslvey Of Irish, had regular " free fight
the other evening. II appears that some
their friends (!) had claSdesunely sent then
some choice brandIes, gin, &c, and feeling tn
greatness oi their position, they began "peli
ing" each other right and left, 10 the detrmen
OF their optics, and the terror OF their nasal oil
, gans. Licutenants, sargeants and private
were soon participating in the melee, aud for
time the scene was quite anmating. Afte
much trouble the rlngleaders were secured an
sent to the guard house, where they will prol
ably remain until The effects Of their poia lion
, have worked of. Yours, truly,
DIDO.