Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-06-12
LETTERS FROM THE INFANTRY
Posi- NEAR RELAY HOUSE, MD
limo 7th 1851,

We are just al the Cud OF Mary land ram
storm, which has continued wthou: cessation
since Tuesday, 4th inst. After supplying
| this camp with two lots of straw upon which
the soldiers could stretch their weary limbs,
it was suddenly discovered that there was no
provision of law for supplying straw TO "sol-
ders in camp" and only those lucky bearers
of arms in their country's defence who hap
pened to be located Sin barracks" could le~
gally have straw. Our supply at the COM
nencement of this storm had become entirely
worn down, in fact our beds became one part
mud ore and half part water, and one half
| part split and hattened straw. II we had
been in comfortable barracks, well rooted, we
could have straw, but as we were soldiers IN
camp, dwellers in tents, most of which pre-
scented no barrier to the dripping of the water,
we must lie in mud, according to law. But
we are all right again, thanks to Lieut. Col.
Watson. We have been provided with very
| good boards, with which we have laid floor
| in all our tents, so that now we can bid def
ance to storms and red tape In consequence
of the rain, the regiment has not been called
out since Tuesday-guard duty, however,
has been performed as in pleasant weather,
and many soldier has stood at his post wet
to his skin Tor hours
Yesterday was the 58th anniv ersary of the
organization of the Worcester Light Infantry
We had prepared for company parade and
collation., to which we intended to invite the
regimental and company officers, and for the
| - Cn1 Watson had
consented thatwe should be relieved from duty
and have every possible privilege granted us.
But the storm upset our plans, and we con-
tented ourselves to lie in our tents in happy
meditation upon that good old time when Gov.
Lincoln and his associates conceived the idea
of the formation of the Worcester Light In
tantry.
Noticed an item in the Boston Journal,
which presume has been copied in other
papers, concerning the return of private But
terfeld, who was sick and stating the refusal
OF Col. Jones TO furnish him with funds, &c.
wish merely to say that sometimes the truth
is bad enough, and that have no sympathy
with those who, for malicious purposes, will
fabrcate stories to the injury of another. This
story speak of is false so far as Col Jones
is concerned, and some other reports l have
! seen about him sre equally false. Another
item, that "Col Jones was burnt in efigy at
the Relay House camp" deserves notice and
. explanation. Capt. peyereaux of the Salem
Zouaves, and Capt Martin, both of the 9Th
regiment, were stationed on picket duty on a
certain night upon the Harper's Ferry Rail
road. Without any authority, and without
the knowledge of their superior officers, they
left their duty and taking company OF sol
diers from the picket went out into the coun-
try upon some sort of an expedition upon their
own account. Consequently when train Of
, cars approached from Harper's Ferry, the pri
Yates on duty, without their officers, unneces
sarily, and contrary to orders, fired upon The
train of cars, the passengers narrowly and mi
raculously escaping with their lives. Boil
camps were alarmed, and, upon the return o
! the captains, Col. Jones put them under ar
rest very properly. The Salem company
vented their feelings by getting up an etfigy
E of Col. Jones, which they burnt. 1t is sufii
cient to say that every officer and private ii
our regiment, at least, approved the action o
hath can sants ease Y Ss
post of duty, and go off on private expedition
without orders, private can do the same, and
thus we would see state of INSTRUMENTATION
which would render the troops worse than use
less.
L have been on court martial for the trial of
four or five offenders One OF them fell asleep
while on picket guard duty. He was SEN
fenced to stand twenty four hours in con-
spicuous place, with board suspended about
his neck, upon which was written his name,
and the inscription, Found asleep on picket
guard duty, and court martialed, June 4,
1857 The sleepy wight was the observed
of all observers, and some thought they would
rather be shot than stand like him for the gaze
of the regiment.
Capt Pratt remains in perfect health and
sustains his reputation as well drilled and
gentlemanly officer. The regiment has very
few upon the sick list; and all of the Infantry
are well. The boys are luxurietng upon
strawberries this noon, there being a large
supply in market. Commissary Parker bought
our company twenty-five quarts for one dol
lar J.w.D.