Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-13
LETTERS FROM THE 1NFANrRY-No. ls.

1.-THE writer of the letter of which the fol
lowing is an extract gives a graphic account
of their first day and nights experience at
EIkridge Landing, while they were under
driving rain storm, and almost without shel.
ter 1t does not differ from that already pub
ished He says in relation to their military
position
The ridge on which we are posted is some
three bundled rods long, and runs nearly
north and south across the railroad its easter
ly and northery sides sloping steeply to the
valley below, through which passes the Pataps
co river and all around us are hills as high as
ours, and l think many from the tops OF
which, especially to the eastward, batteries
could rake our entire camp. AT the base of
the hill on the east side runs the Washington
Branch Railroad, while right in front and to
the north lies the "Patapsco Bridge" SPLEEN
did stone structure, resting on huge arches The
rails on it berg at least one hundred feet above
the river, while crossing it, and curving sharp
ly to the left, bearing westward, and huggng
closely as il passes along the banks of the riv-
er, is the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, lead
ing to Wheeling, Va, and PASSING through
Harpers Ferry, which is but fifty miles from
here. To aid us in guarding this most impor-
tant place we have our own regiment OF 700
men, the New York eighth, 100 strong, and
Capt. Cooks Boston Light Artillery, with six
pieces, two of which are in camp, and are post
ed SO to rake the great stone bridge in front
of us, just before alluded to. Within twelve
miles miles of us, i'll Virginia, is a body of
armed secessionists, eighty of whom with two
pieces Of artillery marched for this camp last
Sunday, but retreaed quickly when they
found that our troops were on the ground, and
the New York eighth coming here early Sun
day A. M.
As to cur next move, it is all uncertain, but
l think twill be for Harper's Ferry. All trains
now going there or past it are examined, and
last evening Captain SIMPSONS company, who
are doing duty as guard on the bridge, seized
four carloads of provisions destined Tor that
place. BY the way, this company is the best
drilled one in the regiment, aud, from their
know ledge of the "Hardee drill, they have
been assigned the right in the regiment, and
are to he employed as ''skirmishers most
honorable yet dangerous post. Their COM
mander, Captain Sampson, is noble fellow,
thoroughly schOOled in the duties of the sol
dier, and a most courteous aud gentlemauly
man. Many of our Worcester firemen must
know him, for he was the foreman of the "Bar-
nicoat' fire company, from Boston, when our
first firemen's muster was held in Worcester.
Were he the colonel of the regiment, our men
would go into a fight with far different zeal
than they will now, but have no fears but
that they will do their duty under any leader.
Have no general news, aside from what have
now written, but will write whenever any thing
new occurs. BY tomorrow our camp will
probably be in good trim, as Gen. Butler has
just sent 10 AnnapoIis.tor United States tents, in
case ours have not arrived. Our camp rations
have just come in and we shall not lack for
good, sweet, healthy food, coffee, Sc.
d. f. P.