Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-23
LETTERS FROM THE RI eLEs-No.e
HEADQUARTERS 81 BAT RIFLES, M.V,M.)
FoRr MoHENRY, BALTIMORE MD, :
NAV 18th 1861

they formed part yet our ranks are not di.
because Capt. Dodd's Rifle company
of Boston were attached to Major Devcns'
panies which constitute the battalion, with
but few exceptions, are now all uniform. The
appearance of our corps is exhibited to the
best advantage at dress parade" which takes
place almost every evening. Before "drcss
parade, every one is brushing himself up"
a little, and you can see every available place
occupied Ivy group of soldiers securing and
polishing their equipments, and putting the
"shine" to their boots, and not seldom TO see
stockings that are perping into the universe
through the windows which time and crcum
stances have dug through the cover ofthe pedal
extremiiies. Since Companies b and c have
received their new uniforms, our battalion
stands, as far as outside appearances is con-
cerned, second TO none. Our rifles, when
mounted with sabres, have a muIderous APP.
pcarance.
Looking at the sharp point of my sabre
gtterng in the sun, | think often wha'
great calamity it is for mankind that
in the development Of its civilization not sell
dom arises the unmistakab.e necessity OF fight
ing and killing. But it seems to be i'll the
order of tie universe that Il continual struggle
. must be going on in organic and inorganic
nature, and if the blessings Of universal edu-
cation should ever put an end to our ingenious
system of numbering one another, l think that
Conflict I en- al. in a moral spusCl wOuu not
cease, but only the method of it, and | hope it
never will cease, for there would be no virtue
where no contest is. The sn.called "uon-re
sistants" wish to reform and civlize the world
by universal education without shedding of
blood. so every one wishes, but the mon
resistants" forget in the arguments that there
must be first, liberty of speech throughout
the world, before they can educate, there
must be channels through which they can
operate in behalf of social political, and NOR
al reforms | am convinced that barbarism
itself would not close its doors TO the peaceful
messengers of civilization. Knowing, from
history, that barbarsm can not bear to be
questioned, there is no other alternative letl
but to overthrow its power by means of war
if we comprehend our mission as men. War
is therefore not means OF education some
quite illogically assert, it only makes educa-
ton possible.
Among the many guests from Worcester
who visited our quarters here, Major Hall,
who arrived yesterday afternoon at o'clock
was the most welcome, not that the others
bo hrOu
many boxes OF things that were needed The
ladies of Worcester, as l see by the papers,
have zealously worked to contribute their
mite to the comfort of the soldiers. for which
they have deserved our sincerest thanks, and
which are herewith returned TO them, with
| the assurance that we shall strive to show
ourselves worthy of such kind attention The
| boxes that contain our clothes are not I'M
packed yet, while tie trunks that contained
dozens of bundles for the different members
of the battalion, are already distributed.
You ought to have seen the smiles that
brighten d their counenances when the con-
tents of the bundles revealed themselves al
I snc wrappers. many a heart was gladdened
by the various remember me-" while others
who stood around the box of ST. Claus, in
anxious expectation Of the things that might
fall 10 their loi, went to sleep in disappoint.
ment. l was also one of the iavortes of ST.
| Claus, as he handed me box that contained
very desirable and well selected articles My
| thanks to him. Some of us day are still
under the influence of the first impression
which the articles caused on the mind or
stomach Of the various recipients. So l saw
Sergeant Bugbee at dinner time, with Il beef
tongue, which was sent to him by somebody
that must understand his preferences very
well, pace TIL room with much satisfaction
and / listened to the enumeration of his expe-
riences in the line of beef and pork.
SUNDAY, May 10.
The usual monotony Of Sunday which is
still more felt in garrison life, was interrupted
to day. In the morning the articles of war
were read to-us, aud after it we were marched
from our quarters on the parade ground,
where we were sworn into the service of the
United States by staff officer Of the same,
our service beginning from April 18th. Alter
this ceremony was over, our much beloved
| Captain Sprague made some very impressive
remarks to lis men, stating that he knew his
men would follow him wherever he was com.
petent to lead, and that they would strive TO
uphold the banner Of this glorious Union,
without waiting for all the fornalilies of the
law of the United States, whit h requires that
the militia of the states called into the service
shall take the oath OI allpuianca HE ranares
were responded to by hearty applause. In
the afternoon many of our men attended pub
lie worship inside the walls OF the Fort, while
others either paraded tile grounds in pleasant
conversation, Or spent their time in reading
and writing.
All at once, a report reached our quarters
that one of our men, William Starr, who was
lately appointed sergeant, had been arrested
by order OF Gen Cadwalader, and that he was
kept prisoner at his headquarters This news
created great sensation among us OF the
battalion, and after proper inquiry found the
following in relation to the matter: Sergeant
Starr, with five of our men, was walking
along the street, when one said: "There is
Marshal Kane coming along with Gen. Cad.
walader." Whereupon Starr replied, within
the hearing of the General: "Al respect to
the General, but none to Mr.. Kane" The
General, taking notice of this, immediately
asked the squad who OF them had expressed
the above Starr did not hesitate moment
before. The General then had him arrested