The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-05-01
5amp Curtin.


/, was our inteation some days ago to
offer few remarks on the loose and appa
rent reckless ard careless manner in which
things are conducted al Camp Curtin but
fearing that any structures Of the kind would
be attributed 10 political bias by people
abroad, we have waited until com paihi
and censnre would come from some other
quartet This we fad in the letter of the
intelligent correspondent OF the North Anier
ican dated at this place on Thursday, from
which we extract the following :-Patrjoi
ana Union
This miscellaneous, disorderly condition
of things brings me to point where the
| sharp criticism of the public press can
alone remedy an accumuiating and crying
evil. The discipline of the sodiery is not
nearly severe enough. Too many strangers
are admiuedto the camp ground. Women of
all classes in life are admitted without even
The iormality of a pass from a military Off
Ger. Passes are granted Promiscuously 10
their friends of officers OF inferior grade
Thus there is total want o. system The
result is that squads of men get out every
night into the town and drink, and are ex-
posed 10 every chance for the contraction OF
diseases, which not only render Them unfit
/ for duty but in many instances destroy tbs
! force and vigor of the constitution, and
! bring them premalurely TO the grave.
understand from visitor 10 the camp at
| York, where there are now more than 4, 200
men concentrated the same case OF access
and exit prevails there.
| Not only will such indulgence prevent
any rigidily. and therefore, excellence OF
I drill, but it will rendto make the soldiery
| Idle, isless, careless, unambtIous OF any
achievement beyond the mere momentary
pleasures of the hour. This is The fault of
the general commanding; he has abun-
dant power not only 10 control but 10 check
these evils most effectualiy.
| Again, the debris of meats, bread and
vegetables thrown away from the rude Ia.
bles of the sodiery, are exposed upon an
| open LOT 10 the fierce hot raps OF the sun
The work of decomposition at once begins,
noxious exhalatons arise, malaria is rapid
| ly engendered, and fatal diseases break out.
| The conditions of camp life, even with the
most rigid attention TO hygiene, are never
favorable to health. But If such causes are
! added 10 The want oil sufficient abluiion OF
the person TO promote a healthy condition
of the skin, if uhclean uudercloihes are
worn for many days consecutively, and an
unusual amount OF exercise taken under
scorching sun, there is hundred per cent.
chance in favor OF the procreation and dis
/ seminalion oil all kinds of disease peculiar
10 this form of life. Nothing but the high,
airy location of the camp. swept as ii Is by
the bracng breezes from tie mountains,
will prevent the fulfilmeat OF a fofewafning
as sad as this is.
Let but midsummer bs reached, when
these bteezes shall have lost their oxygeni-
/ zed inspiration, and disease aud death, in
every form, will overiake those who came
hiihef 10 die, if al all, at Ihe cannons mouth
and the bayonet, amid the blazing glory ol
the battle field and 10 waste lie away in a
loaihsoine and sickeuibg hospital. 1t is
the right, as il is eminen,ly the duty of The
public press, to compel the proper enforce
ment oil discipline, and proper attention to
hygienc regulations.
Nav YoRK, April 29.--The steamer BdHit
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