Worcester daily spy., 1861-12-21

Yesterday, about noon, while our regiment
was out on drill, the paymaster made his ap-
pearance at the camp, with his assistant.
When lie approached our lines, we who were
standing guard welcomed him by presenting
arms, and messenger was dispatched to our
colonel to say lie was here ready 10 pay us oil,
and il was not many minutes before the regl-
ment made its appearance, with more elastic
step than since they went into Camp Lincoln.
After being marched into their respective
quarters, they were called upon by their cap
tains to fall in and sign the pay rolls. In the
meantime the paymaster had taken up his
quarters at the tent of our sutler, where table
bills and bag of gold and silver which were
taken from the colonels quarters by two men'
before the admiring eyes OF a thousand sol
diers.
need not say that all our boys had learned
the way over TO our suffers quarters, where
they had freely spent their money, being sat
isfied that they received an equivalent in re-
turn. But journey 10 the sutler TO get mon
ey was new feature in camp life Company
| A. being at the right, was the first to march,
by company, to the front OF the suffers tent;
and then pass in to the table, as their captain
| (who was seated next 10 the paymaster) called
their names. Ii took just thirty five minutes
to pay them off Company L next took their
turn and the five companies of the right wing
were paid off before eight O'Clock, and the reg
iment were dismissed from all duty. The lett
wing are being paid off to-day. Our colonel
has given US day of rest, and we are happy
regiment. We are paid from the time OF en-.
listing to November LIST, month and half,
and we learn that the first five companies have
already placed in our adjutant'S hands nearly
three thousand dollars, for which he has given
them cheeks on the Mechanics Bank, Wor'
cesier, TO be sent in letters to their friends AS
the boys receive their pay and leave the pay
master at the other end OF the table, they tind
our Suter, with whom they square accounts,
TO November 1st, or in tull 10 the present
time, as they please, every thing passing off in
the most pleasant aud satisfactory manner.
Thus much for the pay master-now for the
lively scene that follows, which will show you
the difference between Massachusetts, regi-
men! and New York regiment. Whenever
regiment is to be paid off all the pedders for
miles around know of it., and are on hand by
scores, with stationery, caps, sock, watches
from five to ten dollars each, and nicknacks OF
every description. Our camp was full of
them, and the spirit of trade SO peculiar to the
Yankee, was now manifested by some of our
fellow soldiers. For instance, a private in
company A, by purchasing OF the pedlars and
trading with his comrades, made a profit Of
twelve dollars in less than twenty four hours,
while his first Investment was only twelve
doprs.
To-day commenced with the announcement
that nearly two tons of well filed boxes had
arrived in camp from our friends at home, and
they were unoaded in front Of Capt. Denny's
headquarters. In less than ten minutes more
than half of the regiment was on hand, and TO
have seen the delight ANA extreme happiness
of the boys as their names were called, and
when the package or box was placed III his
hands, to have seen his doube-quick for bis
ttut3 h4o hiiiihShNSo ~ ShhtS h'4S NpH'SAiNS
with his comrades would have amply repaid
all of those who sent anything. After break
fast the boxes were opened. Company A re-
ceiyed large portion, and we are TO have
dinner parties in nearly every tent. Our very
popular and good-natured corporal, f, a.
Morse, one of the members OF the Happy
Family" received a well filed box, and in
vited to partake with him all the members of
the "Happy Family" with three from the
Serious Family the members of each
being the same as when we were in Camp
Lincoln.
This morning orders were given that ped
ders should not be allowed to cross our lines,
| and only come to the cheat" in front of the
| guard tents, when We are permitted to go and
trade with them. AT one time your cores
pondent counted forty one peddlers with their
baskets, aud one hundred and fifty soldiers
trading with them and looking on. Most of
them spent their money for stationery, and
some Of them, never having had so much
money before, seemed nearly wild with de.
| light, and would buy something whether they
needed it or not But all is order in camp
! quite different from some Of the regiments
near us, after pay day, with one half running
away, and remaining away till they have spent
all in a drunken troic and the other half too
drunk to leave camp.
l heard one of the officers of the New York
Zouave regiment say, this morning, that
their regiments behaved so badly, after being
paid off, that they encouraged gamblers TO come
into camp and get their money from them, so
that they need not spend it Tor rum. And in
speaking of the good order of our camp, they
have all said, "Wait till you are paid off-then
see if one halt of them do not run guard and
get drunk. Our answer to that is, we came
from Worcester county not for soldiers pay,
but to serve our country.
We learned last evening that Col. Morse has
received orders from Gen. Dix to call in his
four companies from picket duty, and held the
twenty first in readiness to join the third brig
ade OF Gen. Burnside's expedition, and that
when the regiment heard the orders read, they
gave cheer on cheer, showing their delight in
being called into service. This will make the
fifth regiment from Massachusetts in this ex.
pediton, and it is but justice that she should
have her full share. Now for our dinner in
the tent Of the Happy Family" after which
will o1nsa with littit. allusinu tn, 10,