Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-25
Letter from n wheeling Boy.
STEAMER OCEAN QUEEN,
OFF FORTRESS MONROE, Oct. %, 1861.

OFF ORTRESS hONItOEi OCL' - lOOl'
Editors LutslHgenccr The great Ameri
can armada is about to start. Under the
grim protection of the loyal guns of this
famed fortiication is collecting the fleet
which is so troubling the brains and hearts
Of the chivalry. Already from the yards
of this noble boat, as tar as eye may reach,
the forest of masts has no end. Loaded
steamers of the largest class, the Baltic,
Vanderbilt, and their compeers, are grouped
mere for the good work Decks swarmlng
with .st:ue blues" and covered with all
the paraphcrnulia of army stores, grim
rows Of teeth from the men-of-war, and
spurs bcdcckcd with our beloved flag, keep
repeating themselves in the view. Rumor
estimates that -, 900 men will be engaged
in this enterprise. As one looks on The
great hulls, black and bulky, moved with
such terrible, ohcdiemt power, his heart
must swell within him. It's big thing"
and ii is gladstone to sec it, and know that
it employed TO crush raSCality.
Our portion of the force, 1000 men,
embarked two days since at Annapolis.
Yesterday morning we started for the rem
devious, and arrived this 8 y. NJ. of II
rainy, foggy, stormy morning. Last night
the ship heavcd terribly, aud the passen-
gers were forciuly impressed by the eX-
ample of their illUStriouS predecessors.
Camp lite has been often pictured
another chapter of n soldiers experience
is now presented. Knapsacks slumg, we
were marched OH board It transport and
conveyed on board ship. Down, down we
20. into the bowels of the .eviathnn.-
Storage and second cabin are fitted up
for lis. BcrthS are ut the TWO sides, and an
aisle three feet wide; then double row
in the middle. These are six feet long, by
five feet wide wide, holding three warriors,
There are four berths, Que above another,
as in II river boat. In these temporary
scalfoldings are packed 600 men i'll our
boat. For Il vivid idea of the arrange
ment, the reader is referred to u snrdinc
box The ventilation power is pretty good.
Wind sails are cylinders of canvass, two
feet in diameter, having Il funnel shaped
mouth to catch air. Strict discipline is
observed Daily drill in the manual Of
arms, guard mounting, and military duties
are all observed. In case of an alarm of
fire, or man overheard, Il select number
have places appointed to which they re-
pair 10 assist the crew. The rest are per-
cmptoriiy ordered TO repair to their hunks.
The regular ratiOns are served twice day
three ra.ions in twn-at six \. NJ. and
three p VI. The cooking apparatus can
not supply three meals Tor Such host
AT grub time each company has 4 place i'll
which to turn out. They form two ranks,
flciug one another, then the COmmissary
and assistants pass through nmd give each
man his own. We are a noisy, orderly,
"gny and happy" set. The song and jest
pass freely. Often the fun grows "iastand
furious" and breaks up in Il frOlicsomc
tuSsle. In such moments of boyish sport,
some would doubt whether the greatness
of our position was comprchendcd. But
you know. "the bow that is always bent
&c. Our regiment is from Western Peun-
sylvunia, your own ncighbors, OF the same
stock and habits, aud of course are good
men. We are styled ''Rounlheads.' May
our boys, when they meet the gay cava-
Tiers of the Southern aristocracy, show that
they are worthy heirs of the old Cromwell
ian heroes name and fame.
To all on board the sea is NEW, and thus
far the novelty is constant pleasure Ev-
cry moment new sight is welcoDed.-
First moonlight on the waters sottenedeYen
the toughest by the mellow beauty OF the
view. "Ocr the glad waters of the dark
blue sea-" many i soldiers eye was cast,
as lie leaned over the taifrail and thought
of home and its hallowed associations.-
Then IL pretty stiff gale turned the sublime
to the ridiculous, the sentimental to the
comic. rs sea sickness seized upon US
About as much sympathy is wasted upon
the victim as il he had the tooth-nche.
One coasolati Oh remains, the laughter Is
the laughed at but too soon.
When dinner calls it is mine TO obey.