Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-15
Corro.pondonce Of the whls.
TENT LIFE.
uu " II.
CAMP PIcKEss, June III, 1861.

(IuMEER III
CAMP PrcKEss, June IL, 1861.
To the Editor Of the Wig;
The sun is hanging low in the West; his declining
beams are throwing cleaning golden Hood oil light
over hilltop and plain. Our encampment seems all alive
with groups Of happy sodery scattered far and wide over
the broad bosom of the beautiful fields which spread
themselves around the duties OF the day are over
the stirring notes of "Pop goes the Weasel are leading
the last regiment company by company, at double quick
time, to their quarters, which dot the sopng sides OF
neghboring eminence But we would dwell more at
length on the scenes and surroundings of our own i'm
mediate encampment.
Our tents pitched on both sides OF what may be
called our Main street. running from east to west in
beautifully green field of uIuriant clover At the west
end are the Captains head-quarters-in the immediate
rear OF which our coored friend and commssarat, las
Porte Crsyon has t Carter Braxton, of whom we hope
to have TO say in future notes, regns supreme
beneath the rude shelter of capboard Kitchen whence
oftenmes issue smoking viands and pipinghot coffee
Immediately to the right the parsonage beneath whose
potess protection your correspondent abdes-over the
door of which is the following beautiful and appropriate
Scripture quotation; "Quit you like men; be strong
He would here express his heartfelt thanks to the ladies'
Of St. James Church. Richmond for the seli-sacrhcing
spirit which prompted them make, at the expense Of
80 much labor the tents furnished the Howzer Batta
on as also for the notices from the Sacred Scriptures
with which they are ornamented, hoping they may be
the means of moving the arm and strengthening the
hear. Of many Howtzer to quit himself like man in
the strife and struggle Of that which are now
about entering.
M. ia hoya iuaf lad Inv
our encampment, to whom We cannot but pay the de-
served tribute of saying have given up more for
the sake Of our beloved State ard surely merit our
sympathy more than that body Of daring who liz
orally "have not where to lay their heads"
But to resume our narrative. Our men are engaged
as soldiers generally are after the fatigue of wearsome
days drilling enjoying what the Italians appropriately
call "a sweet do.nothing" longing about on the straw
floors of their tents reading the papers of this morning.
smoking, sleeping, and the like Some are busy discus
sing the proprey of this that move in this afternoons
drill others lauding the gallant conduct OF our alb
sent men under Major Randolph while quite goodly
number gathered about their plank table discussing
strong Rio coffee which of is drunk in tin cups
without cream, and time-honored shipbiscuit. We
would not have you believe these constitute our bill Of
'the American" and "the Exchange" such being the
names by which soldiers eased to call their places
of messing frequently furnished with golden butter
choice pieces Of veal and lamb, and many chicken has
had occasion to lament presence in the community.
A number of our men are engaged in testing the skill
of their horses in Jumping, and the wild shouts which
rend the air unlucky horseman fails to clear tie
mark bear evidence the joyous happiness of soldiers
life.
The deepening darkness warns me that it ia time to
draw my letter close, scarcely discern the
ines on my paper.
long train of fifty mountain wagons heavily laden
with provisions is just winding its crooked way
the field in which we encamped.
Nu