Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-10-11
FROM CAMP ANDREWS.
Correspondents of the Journal and Statesman,
LETTER No. /.
HEADQUARTERS. LIST DEL. VoLuNrEERs, I
Camp AHdrepS, near Neie Castle,
Wednesday night. Oct. 0. 1861. ]

HEADQUARTERS, LIST DEL. VULUNrHRRs,
CdmP AndregS, near Neip Castle,
Wednesday night, Oct. 0, 1861.
FRIEap EcKEL;
Not with n grand salam which pro
mises much, do we seek TO renew our acquaint
anee with your readers, but with simple and
unpteending bow, which menus that in a modest |
style we will endeavor to make ourself agreeable |
whilst chatting with them. Our Intercourse
with the friends of tue Journal during the three
months campaign in which we were a particl-
pant, proved so exceedingly pleasant TO us, that
we are warranted In anticipating an equal
amount of pleasure from an indulgence in new
series of letters descriptive Of o life in camp So.
having invested largely in stationery in order to
the maintenance Of friendly communion, Ivy
that "sent language uttered only to the eye
u letter-you may be prepared, as of yore, for
an epstOlary intietion, semi-occasonal on
otteuer just MS the peculiar cacoethes for such
| pastimes sezes us. So much for an introluc
ton,
We are now rusticat'ng in beautiful woods
Ia retreat which it.iyely Imagination might in
habit with sylvan deities, if it did not compre.
henl the fact that the almost incessant noise
from drum and fife would frighten them nwny,
liking quietude as they are supposed to do. The
spot looks as though il were formed for un en-
campment, and for the first Delaware Regiment;
the ground being Of such conformation that we
are not in imminent danger of inundations, the
grove sloplng down to a valley through which
courses little stream, which, ii we were poet
ien, we would designate as brook, n riyulet,
or by some other like pleasant name; but not
feeling much in that mood we shall huve to be
matter-of fact enough to call il ditch it sup
plies us, notwithstanding its unronnntic desig
nation, with very good drinking water. ln the
distance the eye is refreshed with sight oil the
broad Delaware.
We have succeeded in getting up picnic on
IL grand scale here the tents have been with
much system pitched, the grounds have been
thoroughly cleared, and every one has labored
! to make himself as comfortable us possible II
the orderings under canvass; yet the lowering
weather, the falling leaf, "sere and yellow,
and the tints Of the foliage eyidencing COO
! nights and autumnal days, remind us that VI
j have not selected very propitious season 70
sylvan enjoyments, if that was our object WI
cannot be favored with the presence of wood
nymphs, fawns and satyrs, at such time, fo
they require sunshine aud genial days but tn
e camp is occasionally honored with presence
o more tangible in the shape Of other diviniiie
"a who may be regarded as special guardian angel
to the soldier
ID Exclusive of the drills aud other duties consG
81 quent upon military encanpment, one may oil
.: serve much that is entertaining. Camp life
attractive, even if the bare idea of resideno
IN tents, during the cold seusou causes an il
ID voluntary shiver to pass through the frame; tn
es piiyatOns, the loss Of customary comforts, III
n disagreeable experiences cannot dytst it of il
charms it is IA source from which sufficient en-
joyment can be extracted to satisfy any reason
rs able person.
to 1t is u weird.like place at night-the tree
W stand up in ones path like some monster, tn
appearance Of which is just partially reveac
rs by the moon slightly obscured by passing cloud
IT, the slumbeiing fires scattered about the groun'
at occasionally famed by Il sudden gust momentl
,d rily CLEAN the Katydids from every tree sonn
their notes. every tent IL but visible from th
Ut lights within; about the guard tents at the ell
is trance, the forms Of men wrapped up in the
white blankets are seen up, n the ground.
Until 'taps," the evening is passed in IL varei
of ways the music from most excellent ban
IL resounds through the grove the building whic
Ell is situated in the centre Of the wood is made Il
" theatre of religious assemblage, where oil
Methodist hymns are sung with much spirit
squads of meu who consider themselves oui
- sders get up II little singing on their own nc
~ count and between thsm all, noise enoug
70 aboun1s.
- During the past few nights, we have bee
- made duly sensible that some little GOVERN
- - was required to render us comfortable; as veI
= tilaton is one Of the cardinal principles OF tel
20 life, an increased number of blankets was four
" necessary. All would awake in the mornint
., feeling as though they would like to underg
t some warming process The beginning of yot
correspondents experience at this camp wa
ia very inRuspicious, as it regarded sleeping h
/, had purchased cot which soon manifesto
. strong symptoms of weak joints when he sough
/ his couch or rather cot of clchectic condition
2, he did it with some misgivings as to its abilit
ID TO sustain him. He slept quite soundy unit
~ about midnight when a crash was heard an
felt TOO, for he found himself recumbent upo
y the ground, aud the cot pile Of ruins thus Ii
ll remained until morning, occasionally rcaehin
1t out his hands to ascertain what was tie dept
4 Of water at his side, as it was stormng consider
ably at the time, and the water persstently de
IS termined to run down hill. He was not cheatet
II ont of his sleep, if he did have to seek it unde
!. difficulties; but he thought that manufacturing
cots was not that cabinet makers forte.
Affairs are progressing very finely here now
discipline is being enforced and oil are learning
II their duties There is dress parade everl
:, evening, after which the officers repair to Johi
m Morrison hotel where bountiful repast il
: good style awaits them, serving to make all VIII
IS are parakers thereof well satisfied with
d soldiers life, SO far as the subsistence depart
q ment j. concerned.
Yours, BILLY.