Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-20
FROM THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT,
CAMP KALoRAMA, WASHINGTON, ID. c.,
Auuust rs 1851

August 10, lool'
Dear SPy:-Having got fairly settled after
our journey from Camp Scott and the happy
associations of home; IA spot made doubly
dear by absence from its sacred relations,) l
take my pen to give you word upon our trip
and position. We reached New York about
IL A. NJ. on the 9th Here the regular ar
engagements were interrupted by the fourteenth
regiment occupying the only place provided
for troops on transit. The committee offered
to provide as soon as possible for our accom-
mediation, but as it would have been near
p. NJ before they would be ready, Col. Devens
determined to avoid the long wearlsome march
through the city, and served out ration of
bread and cold ham to the men on the wharf.
They had a keen appetite, and i'll the hour OF
abundance they provided for the exigencies
of the future.
We left New York about P NJ. for Amboy,
which we reached about p NJ, when after
expanding an hour in the transfer from the
boat to the cars, we started for Philadelphia
city ever TO be remembered with the deep
est gratitude by the whole body OF troops
that have passed through it during the war.
We arrived there about A. NJ. on the 10th,
and Notwithstanding the fact that the four
teenth regiment had only preceded us some
two hours, we found everything ready for
good warm substantial breakfast, and arrange
ments made, so that whole company could
enjoy, at one time the luxury of good wash.
We found there men and women who had
been toiling all night-not for material returns,
but out OF pure charity. In speaking to some
of them about their sacrifice, they replied that
theirs would not compare with ours, and their
whole spirit revealed love of our common
country, true, deep and abiding. We marched
from one depot TO the other, leaving for Balti-
more about IL A. NJ, which place was reached
about 65 P. NJ. After the regiment debarked,
the line was formed, and the men loaded with
ball cartridge, so as to be ready for any of the
peculiar emergencies so common to that To-
cality-we remembered that Massachusetts
blood had been wantonly shed, and firm pur-
pose moved every soul from the heart OF the
old commonwealth. But Il peaceful policy
prevailed, and we marched through Baltimore,
villa. hundreds Of us had been aching to do
since the memorable 18th.
The march through the city was wearisome
in the extreme, the weather being oppressive.
On arriving at the point of departure, full
supply of provisions was distributed, soft
bread, ham, and cheese, with an abundant sup
ply OF iced water, SO that canteens could be
filled 10 carry away. After considerable delay
and some trouble we started at about twelve,
reaching Washington at about six A. NJ. on
Sunday morning. Our destination having
been changed at baltimore.
We were quattered in three different build
ings in the city during Sunday, and shortly
after arriving an abundant supply of proyis
sions were distributed. To save the men,
Col. Devens had their knapsacks sent out in
teams, and kept them in during the heat of
tie day, sending out detachment in the
afternoon TO pitch the tents But a severe
rain came on, and it was deemed best for the
men to remain in their present quarters, so
that our departure was deferred until Monday
morning, when we took up the line Of march
and arrived safely at Camp Kalorama.
&. Here you have fair statement Of the facts.
That it was tedious and wearisome journey
no one can question. That the men did not
have their meals at regular and stated times
no one will gainsay land who going such a
journey singly and alone does y But that
anybody actually suffered as indicated in some
statements, we can hardly credit, Nine regi.
ments suffer more in that respect where one
suffers less 1 think the boys will live to APP
preciate the efforts OF the quartermaster for
their comfort ere our present campaign shall
close. More anon. GRAFTON.