Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-06-18

ray Of the Mtn-DisdppoiHtms Gun
--Seatiael sees Ghost--{7e Shoots I'll turns
out 10 be pile Of Bodrds-Bees in CdmP--
Cencert-1he Bridges---DfiAs-Imp
IN Cookery-Smday work in Camp-Afsian-
ehoiy Accident Death Of Private Montgomery
Run Over BY Train on the Bridge Esteem
in Which he t0as held-Disposiiion Of his body,
9e., &c.
...... CAMP AHDREws, Elkton, Nd Cd.
Saturday night June 10, 1861.
MIR. EDIroR;-Few have been the develop
ments Of tho week of our Camp-life here little
that is startling or strange, novel or interesting
has transpred. To the majority the time has
flown swiftly aud pleasantly by, with scarcely
anything to serve as d reminder Of the proven
bal hardships Of soldiers life, or to impart a
foretaste of the privatlons universally considered
incident to the profession Of arms. The bright
side of the canvass We have been gracously
permitted to view with emotions somewhat akin
to satisfaction, with but gentle ntimaiion that
there was more unfavorable aspect to the same
picture, which will yet present itself in its grayer
colors, with but few lustrous aud agreeable tints
and pencilings Of light to relieve the deep and
general sombre shadings. The prevalent i'm
preston is now, if this is what is commonly
called soldering, we are perfectly satisfied with
ii; and again. il we are to remain inactive some
time, we had just as lief be in that condition of
inertness here, as elsewhere. We are not diff
cult to please.
Incidents are necessarily inseparable from
camp-life, and it is to be fairly presumed that
we are favored with some such to vary the occa-
sional tedium of such existence. Some have
TRANSFERRED that are worth chronicug, it is con.
ceived. To recount them. On Wednesday night
last, our quiet little camp was thrown into a
state Of CONSERVATION; three reports were fired
in quick succession In the direction. as il ap-
peared to be, Of the Rail Road Bridge, over the
Big Elk River, guarded by u detail Of our men,
and about mile from the camp. Surprising
reasonably that our pickets there had fred them
in order to notify us of some difficulty the drum
was beat to collect the company together, gun
fired in supposed response and the command
Immediately given to fall into ranks. The pieces
were loaded expeditously, aud leaving guard
about the encampment they all started of down
the track in double-quick time, in high feather
at the anticipation of some exciting work to be
performed, and pleased at tho bare idea OF II
probable fight the way the cross ties aud cattle
guards were passed over was caution to lame
men. Within fifteen minutes after the alarm,
every man was on the bridge, with most rueful
cOuntenanee, as it appeared by moonlight, for ii
was then discovered that the guns had not been
fired there, but at some distance off; keen dis.
appointment was experienced, for they had
fondy anticipated some amiable little scenes
with secessionists, to vary the monotony of the
life they had been leading. They were sadly
chagrined that there was no foe to meet; they
returned to camp after q two miles walk, or
rather run part of ii, with expressions of
deepest regret that their march ayailed nothing,
except TO show their readiness and promptitude
when called upon.
On the same night, in the wee small hours, an
alarm gun was fred Immediately at the side of
the tents, which awakened all in hurry sans
eu'ottes, we rushed from our tents expecting to
see the enemy in some potent shape, and looking
as fierce aud formidable as n wagon load of dirk
knives, and began to institute inquiries as to tie
alarm and its occasion, as rapidly as possible,
when ons Of the sentines advanced and confess
cd that he WAS the author Of IT, In his walks
nc deserted an object; it came in a questionable
shape, like the appariton that presented itself
to Hamlet The object WAS seized suddenly with
Propulsive power, apparently In the distorted
fancy of the man who could imagine lurking
specimen OF the genus homo in the shape OF a
sooessionist, in every post, with dark and dam
gerous designs upon our little camp, the figure
OF the man doomed up; the order halt" was
given and repeated: "hah" but no response
the motive faculty of the thing was still exhibit
ed Z" ddraRce and giUe The couatersign," had not
the effect to arrest the propulsion, when Jarg
went the gun, reverberating through every tent,
and awakening every sleeper. No secessionist
fell, butt pile Of boards which had latterly been
placed along the fence, received heavy charge:
the sentinel had looked SO ntently upon this OBJ
ject, that it became suddenly endowed with life
and motion, so active was the imagina,iop,-
Maybe there wasn't slight risibe excitatiou
at the development
This afternoon, whilst our men were on tbe
qai pioe for something new, and like patient Mi.
cawber, waiting and wishing for "somethiue to
turn up" and give little flip to the course Of
affairs generally, M army of invasion formida-
BILE in numbers, and powerful in fight, came in
sight and approached the encampment ii was
colony OF secossionists who weariel of re-
strictions, and DESTROYS of separating themselves
from parental relations, had left, intending to
set up business on their own account, having
declared their Independence, hoping thereby to
improve their condition. Not to speak in nara
bles, it was swarm of bees passing along tho
camp the men ever on the alert for incidents
were attracted by them. They Immediately be-
gan to beat the drum and sheet-iron kettles. and
directly induced the bees to settle in a wheat
held within few rods Of the camp The cues
ton now with the soldier who concentrated the
forces, was "what will he do with it !" it didn't
remain difficult of solution long for like an en-
ergetc man, being carpenter, he went to work.
exicmpOrized Il hive, and succeeded in coaxine
the bees into it, and Immediately disposed of his
entire interest in the coAcsrn to one of the Gill
lens in consideration of the sum Of one dollar |
aud quarter and drink. WASN'T there little
IT the Yankee spirit about that transaction?
Tonight number of the men who had col.
ected in the porticO of the Depot in order to
irive dull care away, gotup kind of imprompu
concert. National airs, with "thC Captain with
his whiskers' were the favortes; the latter song |
doubtless calling up associations, which sweeping
rapidly through the mind, impressed it not
unlike the strains of some wild melody orieiua-
hatl
calling one back to scenes of memory endearcd. |