Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-07-26
BILLY.
LETTER No. 10.

Yours,

TtFEyNHet mut I
Wednesday night, July 18th.
Mr.. EDIroR;-
Just as q landsman when he
makes his first trip at sea, picks up number of
nautical phrases with which he interlards his
ordinary conversation, in order 10 assume in part
the character of an old salt at the risk Of mis-
applying terms, as we had the misfortune'of do
ing once on ship board, during an ocean voyage,
when We designated the pinnacle as the forecas-
tie, much to the merriment of the Captain and
his crew, so does the soldier, who has been in q
military organization for few weeks, talk in
the phraseology peculiar to that profession.
The man who enlists in company, soon ig-
nores portion of the language which he was
taught in his childhood. hut fills in the hiatus by
the appropriation of certain military terms,
which he considers better adapted for the ex-
preston of his ideas which are altogether diverted
from their former channel: he commences to
live a new life, and must havO a new mode of
speech. For instance, his stomach Is no longer
favored with a supply of food he lives on
"ratiOns" Glasses do not eat together, it's
along the street mot in Perryyille, for it has
never been charged with having streets, and
wish to turn a corner, il is :. file right" or :" file
left" He don't retire Mt ten o'clock, but at
TAPS" Neither does he arise at a certain hour
in the morning. but at "reyeiHe" No one re-
sides in house, for that is an obsolete term,
but in "quarters." They never walk, as there
is no such word in their vocabulary, but
march" nor do they ever 60 any faster, but
always in dOuble-quick" In their profess
sion, there is no stop, it is a halt" We have
no prisons for the punishment of offenders, but
have "guArd house" for their accommodation
We have no police about camp to maintain order
or to keep lookout for stragglers, unless We
regard ourselves generally as Railroad Police !;
"sentinels" or "guards" is the designation. No
one ever thinks of running away or taking leg
bail, he "deserts." lie don't consider that he
wears clothes, he dresses in "uniform."-
"Flank, "rear" and 'front.'" become as pat
rs the letters of the alphabei, and 80 on ad inf
naaa. By system of drilling, these various
terms are all readily acquired and employed
universally.
The men were made joyful yesterday by re-
ceiviug small portion of their poy, which cir
culated quite freely short time thereafter, until
some of them began to feel AZ though they could
sing with much spirit "Let the wide world wag
as it will, we will be free and easy still" Itwa.
interesting TO note the various means the fellow,
resorted to in order to invest portion Of III,
first pleasant fruits Of soldiering-thei first nav
1t was at HavTe de Grace where the money wa,
paid them. So soon as they had u chance tt
realise that they were the happy possessors of 4
few dollars, and were assurld Of the fact by IN,
true metallic ring Of the precious coin, off The,
started in different directions some to visit Nh,
hotels in order to ascertain the taste of emma
thing stronger than soda water; others patron
ised the barber shops. some the daguerrean
saloons, whilst some visited the eating houses
determined TO vary the Gazing for that day a
least. When they returned 10 the boat sbor
time subsequently,, some Of than came very muol
altered In appearance by the manipulations n
the barber number Of them presented them
selves with daguerreoiypes in their hands, which
they were exhibiting to their comrades. an,
directing their attention to the full dress which
Characterised the picture, with gun, belt, buckle
or short swords-all represented in the highes
style of the artist. Some came down with pack
ages OF edibes which they had laid iu for hom
consumption, whilst but few came on board will
heads heavier than pockets. especially il &Lei
money had been converted into cents. Siase
then thpe has been a system Of exchange ,toiu.
on the men paying one another any little billl
they have contracted. The postal revenue will
be considerably increased by this altered auap
eial condition, for they will all turn seribet
and use a large amount Of soolseap and no,s