Smyrna times., 1861-11-07
Letter from the delaware First"
CAMP HAMILTON, Fortress Monroe, Va,
October, 25th, 1861.

/
| Dear Times On Sunday, Oct. 10Th, at
aoeut hve O'Clock, a. m, every tent at old Camp
Lockwood, New Castle CO., Del, was lowered,
and before seven we were fairly on the march
tor Newport. At the latter place we took the
cars for Baltimore, and reached that city the
same evening. From Baltimore we took the
large and commodious steamer FOniSiada for
| FORTRESS Monroe. At about eight o'clock the
Hext morning the frownIng baltlements of this
| stupendous structure was dimly discernible
through the fng, while far in the distan nee,
looming up like dark and ghastly sentnels,
rode the naval ships of Uncle Sans blockade.
The scene was both novel and imposing. Far
over The waters the white sails ofat least TWEEN.
ty men-ot'waT could be seen, proving that upon
the Chesapeake, at least, the blockade was RI.
gedly enforced. 1t was about this time that
the brst symptoms of sea sickness manifested
| ITSELF Some curious scenes were here enact.
ed, causing even now a hearty laugh whenever
the subject is broached. Apart from slight
g'ddlness, your correspondent felt as we'll as
ever.
We soon reached the pier, however, and safe.
y landed, with many cheer, upon the sacred
SOIL OF virginia. After a march of a mile and
quarter, we "pi,ched tents" upon a low,
murky piece of ground, and under q driving
ral"' par'ook ofn slight repast- Being desti-
tute OF straw, we som scattered over the ad-
Jaeent grounds in seach of weeds, which, being
obtained, We converted into pallets, whereby
to rest our weary bodies. The night Uhe re-
cord of which will never be etiaced) we were
nearly inundated. AT four the next morn =
we were ordered out to dig trenches for the es
cape OF the water, and soon we were pitch
ing IN up to our knees, in the fall of II driving
ram Just as we got through and were con.
graduating ourselves upon the victory achieved
over the waiery element, orders came 10 "sLrke
tents and remove to higher piece Of ground
Ihe mandate, however, was Obeyed with lac.
rity, aAd for the benefit of our friends Ut home
am able 10 state that at present we occupy
as enViable piece of ground as soldiers could
well boast OF, with the sea breeze flaming US
every morning as we issue from our tents
The horrors of an intestine war are mani
tested at every step. The farm- houses are Ell.
ther deserted or are occupied by our troops,
while the few civilians that remain treat YOU
with that mock clvilIly peculiar to necessity
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
and therefore the strclest orders are enioned
upon the sentinels, as we are in the heart Of
the enemy's country and liable to be attacked
al any moment. The drill is very severe, and
usually continues two hours at a time How
ever. company has as lovely a set of officers
as The service can will boast of; AID as for
learning, the Smyrna boys cannot be exceIled.
Upon the whole, we enjoy ourselves hugely.
A soldiers life is chequered one. and the
silver lining is often obscured but | believe
there is not one of US regrets the step he has
taken.
On Wednesday evening, at " dress parade"
we were reviewed by Gers. Wool and Mans.
field, the former of which eynced his gratihca.
tion BY frequent encomiums Tuesday we were
served out forty rounds Of cartridges, and or.
dered to sleep on our arms, in anticipation Of
night attack. This precauton, however, is but
to Inure US TO danger and to be ever on the
alert.
The Colonel loves his boys" and eviuces
1t in divers ways-one Of the many being the
severe penalties inflicted upon the transgress.
ers Of cleanllness-a precau,ion rendered ne.
cessary TO insure health. The-but the drum
is beating to " fall in," so must close.
Yours, truly, Dino.