Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-05


n the occasion 20 be in the town, collecting
imber from the buildings, with which to floor o
heir tents Wagons were in readiness on the ,
ther shore to convey Il to the camp. We
sitci ell with some little interest the process #
afting old shutters, flooring and doors across
he creek, all Of which the soldiers regarded Us
rOphes. One nan had a treasure in the shape
ii IN old stove which he had found in his ca
poratious among the ruins. lie had by some
means got il across the plank, aud placed it ON
n lame wheelbNrow, which he was prcpellipg
over the bridge.
We passed into the tOWu, aud uhst picture
presented itself Where ouce a beautiful village |
stoor, ouly rufus remained. Chimnss aud
heap Of rubbish marked the -its u houses; ;
walls tumLIug crumbling, were on all sides
piles Of biick aud mortar, in some places blocked
the streets once shaded by ornamental trees
Burnt aud blackeued tiinbers we're lying nregu-
larry about; the brick buildings were rooHess,
with Iightless windows like eyes Oxpressioncsr.
Weeds were thriving in yards aud gardens no
longer enclosed. There was al universal air OF
ruin; every house in the town proper bore the
marks Of the torch; but one inhabitaut remained
and that an old lady; she lived in the suburbs.
How sadieniug the sight!
We sought the old Episcopal Church, and
found it had not escaped the ineendiary.-
Nothing but tue bare walls remaining. It is
said to have been the oldest church in the state.
1t is built in the form Of q cross aud the tombs
around it attest its antiquity. Against one side
OF the yard wall is a stroug barricade upon
which were walking the guards, temporarily
placed there to watch while tue detachment OF
soldiers were hurrying from ruin TO ruin in
search for old stoves, or any other articles that
might have escaped the fire. Horse shoes, anvils,
oyster rakes and old iron indicated the siie of a
blacksmith shop. and melted glass and n sign
just cgible on smoked wnll, EhowedsN Drug
gisi's stand. How dreary Wiihal did the place
look how painful the emotions What field
for moralising. Here was iorehe chapter OIL
the horrors Of war. The soldiers we're quickly
passing through the streets with axe in hand
with which to remove the wood work from III,
houses, were emerging from door ways ant
exploring premises. One could be seen with
section Of stove pipe in his arms, another with
an iron CRATE, and others with pile Of boards
which they were conveying TO the waters edge
not having the fear of rebel scouts before thei
eyes. Some few had iron bars in their hands
and seeing us coming, would in spirit of plea
santry, bring them to ga shoulder or "i
present arms" as a sslutation, all of which vi
acknowledged with touch Of the visor and
hearty laugh.
We extended our perambulation through th
entire town, and during il, our attention va
attracted 10y some Magnolia roses growing upoi
an arbor. We entered the garden, and at III
risk of a fall we clambered upon the lattice, an
succeeded in robbing the vine Of some of it
choicest buds. This incited US to fresh e1plora
tions for some of Flora's treasures. From
morahaing we became roetieal; We eease
musing upon the mutations of time, and Iehecte
upon the circumstance that roses still boome
in gardens wild with weeds; that their purity
freshness, fragrance we're preserved, where al
aspect Of gloom prevailed that amid all th
devastation apparent, these bright production
of nature, with tints go beautiful and so loye
had unfolded themselves. 1t was relief" !
sunbeam in a winters day"-it was an oasis il
deserts it checred by tue contrast, y grea
portion vf the afternoon was thus spent. W
returned to camp with our 4oar,aiys # unfottu
nate lIaupton--s boquet which We priced nc
slightly.
The weather having become a little solder, il
: the order Of the seasons. has stimulated til
inventive genius of all of us, as to the discover
Of some means by which We can keep warn
Il without relying exclusively upon the powers
nature inherent in us, for the attainment Of ID
. end. BY tue side of some of the tents now ma
ID be seen a barrel, from which smoke is seen to
~ irsuing. Where does it GENE fromY We
I'd many are the devices a soldier resorts to- in ord
le to obtain a little comfort. A hole is dug to Il
OF depth Of foot in the middle of the tent and
bricked up this communicates with the out
air aud by two trenches dug under the walls
tAe tent, one of which passes 10 the side, /
VI other to the rear, These are also lined vi
cA brick, board placed over them and dirt pack
'er on. One of these underground Hues is for
Wy draft to fan the fire, the other for the exit of
'e. smoke, the barrel for the chimney. fie is n
"u made in the pit. M iron lid or plate placed o,
''e it, and the heat is thus generated, much to
comfort of toes that will obsiinately persist
eu getting a little cold. happened to be passi
nv a tent the other day, where one of the sod
N had adjusted the last brick and had built
',n fire in the pit and as the fire began to blaze
ny anxious to test the success or the eIperime
| ha oil NJ nj In aht1 L..
and see il the smoke is coming out at the barre
lN' Jack ian and sure enough the smyke was cnil
=, over ii very gracefully. They were both
proud rs was Fulton when lie saw his stean
move of. But many of us have scarcely ex
rienced the heat of lire since We left wilmiI
ton. The cool nights somstimes cause c
w stoves to be held in grateful remembrance for
It" heat they use to impart; but the being sold
means getting accustomed 10 many things.
,E. The mental query sometimes suggests its
wont il he fashionable for people to dWsllin tt
after the war is over? Win not every Que
come so much in love with the mode of Il
with its widness and iis exciIemeuts, tha
will be impossible to be content in those habi
ara lions called houses that some live ins Th
~ are many advantages one can live cheap
,,v and for modest men who don't like to oceu
,b. much room in the world, it is we'll adapts
The tents don't cost much, and besides they do
,ce need white-w0shing, acrubbiug and sWeepi
ba, oil of which, IT is believed, sre denominations
mo the sight of man.
as Now it would be difficult to paint the scene
Witnessed e,nght on this field dotted with tel
the " I" ~ ha''o"e'lS H'e' one ol tue rel
,he sylvania Regiments is having jolly time la
honfircs have baen hniit I'M oil ahout H. air ca,