New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-29
LETTER TO HIS MOTHER
FROM A YOUNG OFFICER or THE TENTH REGI-


FROM YOUNG OFFICER or THE TENTH REGI-
MENT NETWORK VOLUNTEERS.
CAMP HAMILTON, FORTRESS MoSROE,(
June 90 1861. (
Ny Own DARLING MOTHER: When | returned
weary and from picket duty, forgot all my
troubles in reading packet of thirteen letters, many
of them old ones, which had jast received. had,
until then felt really burt At the negectul silence az
parertly maintained by the family; for now that an
90 far away from home feel terribly depressed when
silence reblos the distance Absence binds the lies
OF home around the heart that we do not know unul
then how close they are.
This lste., darling mother address to YOU for you
are You should be- fret in my heart and thought;
but mean dear father and the Children to take THE as
III part for tnem for cannot, however much could
wish it, wIite C. them al.
When last wro,e we were preparing to 90 out as an
advance picket toward Back River. When 4 short
distance out on the road, ;be regiment was halted and
divided uto four equal parts divisions. was made
conuandaut of tie irst divi0D, aud ordered 10 take
my TO Fox Hill on back River, some eight miles,
md establish picket j accordingly uarthed there,
and after dspOsng Of my found myself in The fol-
lowing positions VAS stationed on tie high road
runbipg into Hampton, and parallel WIN Bach hNer
at that point. Between me aud the River lay dolse
WOOD, ;raversed by several large cowatbs, and one
carriage road. Along, OH the opposite side OF Back
River and Just below pickels WAS Secession
camp OF Cavalry and RiGemen. AS we were tour
lllleS from our nearest t1fhcI, ara hS ODt
could bring the whole Secession force upon us, our
position was not very secure.
After resting my force, / received polite invitation
TO dine with the owner OF me mansion not lar ds-
taut. ] found myself at the house, aud was in
troduced to the first Nirginian household / have
tered. Tie host fine old gentleman, showed me 10
large bedroom on the ground hOor 10 wash aud brush
NY eli. Tie furniture WA old in make and fashion,
high back chairs, tall iourposter, curious wu5hsand
oval mirror, poithed Oaken floor, &c. My hair ls cut
close, bat the luxury Of opportunity to make renl
toilet was TOO good 10 he lost; l stood before the
glass long my ysui y would permit and Went
.aroueh the ininicry Of beau. Brushing off come
dust, passed through wide cool bali, 10 dD,ng-
on tbe same door, and TAI down TO the first civil
lied meal have mad, and the rs. nCar's4i.R food
have eaten since / lelt Newly ork. How like to
think OF it Coffee bacon !-hoecakes !-shoItcake
vegetables berries and cream
A little negroes, grinnipg from to car ct the
hossiier" stood sweeping long feather brush over
the table. A demure old "auntie waited on table
looking curious her natural gravity would permit
Looking through the back door could long range
Of low oubuildngs with funny little darkies tumbng
around, and lazy looking older ones summing themselves
with careless Look of impudent independence that
must be seen to be appreciated. The whole picture,
with its surroundings, beautiful felt as
bev,ildeIed, when l realized my strange position, es
the little old with the short pe,icoats read OF
in the story hook Ny sword and sol hanging down
at my Safeguards at the entrance, enemies not far be-
yond and THE strangely beautiful OF nature and
domestic quiet 10 the midst of all. The total absence
Of femsle form was the shade the picture, that
spoke at once OF war in all its horrors close to the
LearihstoDe. AS looked at my host, alone, where his
family should have been around hin, as l remarked
the stiffness Of the large house, and heard paler of
childrens feet, owifey smile, met fair words
Of welcome from maiden lips, felt sick atheaft
\ timent Won cannot imagine. My thsugbs reverted TO
/ my own happy home, snd as looked at the fine old
man before me think he read my feelings.
/ 81 was forced to send my wife and family away"
he said $50 yon l can only welcome you 10
bachelor home"
4 Those few words spoke volumes.
After dinner, returned TO my headquarters tie
rosd-a small square school-house, bare end empty.
| The men had brought t1eir rations with them, aud
the officers bought their dinner at email negro house.
then took two men with 10 recOnuoiter, and
| whether Secession neighbors lay ia a position
| where they could be adyantageou5ly attacked. A
good dash at them, | thought, would rare the
spirits Of the men, and give me chance had long
looked for crossing through fields of grain, aud
passing deserted looking faru-housea, struck ID CD
River, above pickets and the Rebel camp. the
only bridge that crossed il for distance. IL
a crazy, narrow fOotbrldge, 20 shaky that ten men
could not in safety. Proceeding cautiously over
we went up the stream, but found might abandon
al plan Of attack o. ing to the inpo, sibiliiy Of
sale retreat over the rlver, IN case We found lrgc
force opposed.
As did not like TO inrude upon my former hosts
and had money to buy meal went supperlefs
and after sesing every man at bis post, wrapped my
cloak around me, and laid down under tree. | had
too great a responsibility my shoulders to Sleep
and got up toward daybreas to see most magnificent
sunrise. Ny reasons of the night before held good;
breakissted q day break picturesque Fcebe aud
drink If brook water. More romantic than nour-
isbing! .-.--. man uVuu'
is.iBg!
During the day we arrested two SCI ession Spies
ard ut ia the afternoon took up home ward march,
Tie Gun wes Intensely rot AID suffered terribly
from H. AT sludOWn we reached tue camp, and |
made good meal after 30 hours fat, on crackers apd
coffee The pork Re, is very lat and salt that
can get up appetite for l.. Ii was ~ .. before
could take up pen 10 write this scrawl. So you may
imagine bow tired am.
have given this picture Of ny dOngs not because
they are Of any consequence, but because il Will give
vol some idea Of the lie lead here. My letters
must sound very sgotistcu but can scarcely make
them otherwise aud give any As
stand we are very safely encamped, and have 80
r,igh.-al. rns that were 50 hara,sing to US We
pect from hour TO hour, order to march on Great
Bethel But we kept much in the dark, that IL
is impossible TO tell from one moment TO another what
VIII be done.
Please dear mother send me n pound or Of saler
etus 50 that ! can make something digeslioe OF ny
-four.
/ snail write again tomorrow. Ever, doar father
and mother Your devoted Son, ?.
GEN. PILLOW PROCIAIMS ALL NORTHERN
PROPERTY CONEISCATED.
The Memphis Bulletin of Saturday contains the fol-
lowing
GENERAL ORDERS so. %.
HEADQUARTEBs ARMY TEEyYssET,
MENPHIs June 81 1861
All merchants brokers, and other persons owing al
IeQiance to The State OF Tonueseee and a banks the
State having OH cepost balances on hands balances
of specie bills Of exchange, notes, or other funds or
causes In action for collection and belonging TO the
q lN laxKl M lle