New-York daily tribune., 1861-06-08
LOCAL MILITARY MATTERS.
THE STATEN ISLAND CAyUs.


One who has no time or inclination for vsit TO the
seat of war may learn something Of tho realities of the
soldiers ife and realize the fact that we are war,
by visit TO the camps at Staten Island. They are
pleasant realities however, and not the hardshps the
peaceful lie in camp, and not the dangers in the ield
and probably happier communities are to be found
anywhere Just now than the solde in Camp Scott,
Camp Arthur, and Camp Washington.
L Camp Washington is the busy hum Of preparation
for departure, and the there unusually hilarious
with the hope Of q speedy removal TO buster scenes.
Men are constantly crowJng in at the Cornmiesara'
Department and coming out in few moments after,
with their srms full of uniform and acconterments,
probably unconscious, and, perhaps, happily co. that
the coat and trowses into which their kind mother the
ate about to put them will hardly bold together
week. The outside coat however, the undercoIhipg,
the cap and the shoes are all good articles 20 that they
will not lie quite naked week from tomorrow. The
ladies of Ststen Island getting haveocss ready for
them ALL and they expected their mnskets last evening
The ruuor is that Florida to be their destination and
that they start on Tuesday.
At Camp Arthur-so called from Gen. Arthur, the
Assistant Qurternsster.G eneral Of the State and
compliment he well deserves for the diligence efcien
cy, and intelligence with which he discharges the du
Uts OF us OWN oluCf, anu Vlt'h """' VI
diligence, efficiency, and intelligence in others-at
Camp Arthur Col. Kerrgans Regiment is a. yet in the
germ. He is getting together good body of men, and
they are be- inning 10 into good condition. via
or will be struck here and at the other Camps tie
difference in the appearance Of the comers IN The
regiments the raw recruits, and those who have been
some time under discipline Much is owing TO
| regular habits, to fresh and wholesome air, but
In 10
| provided for them in these two Camps by the
contractors. In this respect there is no complaint in
| Camps Washington and Arthur, where as yet they
have not been put upon rstions. They have coffee
twice day, and as much IA they wish; bread at each
| meal without stint; meat three times a day, or at
night, occasionally, some good substitute, such as
| stewed apples and prunes, and once week fish
ehowder instead. This chowder eat of yesterday,
and found excellent. But this food good and sati'-
factory as it is costs the State lees than 10 cens-we
believe IS cents-a man, though previous contract
had been given at one dollar man, which General
Arthur very properly persisted in anpulling.
Gen Sickless brigade is also getting ON well. He
reports about 1000 men on the ground, and 400 tents.
Among his troops are some companies from the country
of fine looking felows, who came in their own uni
forms and are already well drilled. Raw recruits
coming in constantly, and constantly kept going
through their PAGES The clothing department here as
yet but scany supplied but as the camp is unde' the
care of the Uni ed States all these things will be speed
| iy rghted. Here the men are put npon ratons and
| taught 10 do their cooking. Sometimes they
grunble more, however, probably, because they 90
not know how take of food than because there
snt enough Of it. As yet thtre no sickness among
the men, except from such diseases as they brought
with them, but thee is reason 10 fear that there VIII
be later in the season the district is known 70 be
one where there analogue. The land ought to be
drained and that Immediately else it would be bet
ter 10 remove the troops elsewhere beautiful as the To-
cation IL, and admirably adapted to parade.