Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-11-28
QNoreestet 9a1Ip Spg.


Lctter From Rev. Horace james.
CAMP Hicks, NEAR ANYApoLis,
Nov. II, 1861
Visiting the Sick-DistrJming Books anoag the
Sodiers-A Regimentai Library--Piayer Meet.
'ngs and Predch'ng-Pr9taniy-AnolAer Ser
mon at the Academy-Evening Prayer Meeting
around a Camp Fire Tattoo" and Flaps"
SUNDAY IN CAMP.
Dear Friends Il have already sent YOU
letter from this place, and dated it Camp
Burnside" In this was little too fast, be.
ing misIed by the fact of a New York regi
ment being encamped near us (the 51st) un-
der that name. But our commanding officers
have chosen to call our camp after the late gov
ernor of this state, in compliment Of his Union
sentiments We like the name of Burnside
better, but it is of little consequence
We have just finished our first Sunday in
camp away from home Ii has been very DIFF
terent from any l ever spent before, but still
one Of great interest, and ever to be rcmen.
bered. Perhaps | could not give anything of
more interest to your readers just now, than
to describe the day with its various services
and transactions. The drum beat the morning
call, or revcile, ut six O'Clock. Dressing, and
various personal matters occupied us till break
fast time, at half past seven. That being over
l visited the hospital tents as is my daily Gus
tom, conversed encouragingly with each pa
tent, aud offered prayer in each tent, in the
hearing Of seven Or eight persons who are at
present under medical care. Distribution OF
little soldiers books Throughout all the COM
panes OF the regiment, occupied the next two
hours They were furnished me by the Tract
Society and Sabbath School Society at Boston
and by several Sabbath schools in Worcester
County | am sure the eyes Of those children
would have glistened with satisfaction, il they
could lave seen the Gvdity with which the
books were taken, and the pleasure with
which they were perused This being over
we began to put III circulation our regimentut
library, which consists OF l25 volumes Of Sc
iected books, adapted to the kind OF lie We
lead. Having previously numbered and cat
alOgued them, they were laid out upon camp
bedstead, and all invited to come and select
according 10 their taste. They continued do
ing so until half or two thirds Of the books
were loaned cut to soldiers in the different
companies. The library will serve noble
purpose. and be read over and over again as
long as We are in the field. On the Sabbath
after the Inspection OF arms and equipments,
at eight o'clock, the men have the time wholly
at their own disposal. until tie dress parade,
at five O'Clock p. VI. They are glad Of some
thing to read during these weary hours, and
through some cne's providence matter should
he furnished them every Sabbath, otherwise
much liue will inevitably he spent in card
playing or perhaps i'll gambling.
Thus was spent the forenoon, varied with
tent prayel-meetiags, aud attempts at Bible
class Instruction at several different points,
unlil dinner al Twelve O'Clock. The public
services Of our regiment ARE arranged TO take
place at two O'Clock p. NJ, Accordingly at
quarter to two the drum bpHl The call 10
church, our church, all have, and all we
want--Une vast as the heavens, with dome
more glorious than st. Peters, and trescoed
with skill exceeding any mediavalar The
pulpit was Il small box, which stood the
i.rerolrvr, with small Bible in his hand, but
no parchment; before him, in solid column
the men OF the regiment, hs lett Tie band
at his right a regimental choir, With Dad
nuns Army Melodies III heir hand, and be.
hind HIM the ded and staff Ulcers; thus ar
ranged and gathered in our grand old chuicl,
sreiy nia., tIesent, and 40 enc sqaeakirg iato
his pew alter time, the sun shining clearly in
the sky, and the mid air breathing quietly
around, the services commenced.