Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-12-19
From Capt. Tancyhili's Company.
CAMP DENNrsoY, Dec. 10, 1861


FRIENDS EsrILL.-On the morning of We'd
nesday the 9th ultimo. we received orders to
cook three days ratons and be ready to march
Mt half past one, L. NJ. Great was the Joy on
receipt of the orders, and great, too, was the
stir; but everything went on quietly, and by
the time appointed everything was in readi-
ness, tents struck and shipped and the rcgi-
ment on the march, Atseven O'Clock the cars
left W Wooster amid the cheers Of hundreds.
Many, perhaps, gave their last farewell to kin
dred and friends. But let us hope not. Our
Colonel was highly pleased with the alacrity
and gen eral department of the men, and re-
marked that he had never seen camp broken
up so unicllly, and in such good order. About
noon the next day Camp DenniSon was an
nouuced to be at hand; then commenced IL
general hustle; every man slung his knapsack;
some were hunting their hoverSacks, which
contained their next meal OF bread and cold
beef, and others rushing irantcaliy to get the
first peep at Camp Dcnnison, the great ihsti-
tuition of which we had all heard 50 much. At
last we were graticd with sight of its low
grounds aud dirty looking occupants, but 10y
no means pleased with to the general appear
ance of things. When the cars stopped rain
commenced to fall and 10 ok where you would
mud was to be seen laying around loose with
numberle,s pools OF Water iuterspeIsed for
variety. W hen the boys saw tents pitched in
mud puddles they were dismaycd, and wished
themselves back at Camp Tlllin. Immediately
some were SO unfortunate as to be appointed
Officers of the Guard. | bucklcl ON my
"sgueaker," tucked my pants inside my boots,
my fingers in my cars, shut my mouth and
went forth to sink or swim. | had not gone
far It'll found it was sink. After trotting
arou I'D through the mud like Il rooster with
sore toes | found where our quarters were
located. They were unfinished; the carpen-
ters were at work; they had completed neither
doors, windows nor hunks, and the root was
unsealed. When the boys got into them they
thought tents would be preferable were it not
for the protection from the mud the floor al
forded. All hands soon got to work liking
up, and by dark we had one hall OF the build
ing cleaned up, good fires built in boxes
filled with mud, and tents stretched across
the doors, making it comparatively comtOrta-
Bile; but even this comfort was denied to me.
AS Officer of the Guard had to b. out in all
the rain and mud, to place and take charge of
the guard. ] had fire at No. and u bench
to rest my weary limbs on, about two o'clock
in the morning. Amid drcnchinS shower
fell into gentle slumbor, and dreamed that
dwelt, not in .malble halls" but in halls OF
mud; looking through window | discovered
in the distance Il fleet OF vessels all beautifully
constructed Of mud, performing battalion
drill. On closer inspection | found that the
vessels weIe floating in stream oiiquid mud,
and the sailcrs made OF pune article OF con
gealed mud. At this moment beautiful fairy 3,
with enticng sniles, invited me 10 follow her
and partake Of feast; Gust what devoutly
wished for about that time;) looking around
me found pair of wings, most cunningy
and curiousy made ofmud; with theiI aid 1
followed my guide over rivers and mountains
of mud. At last we arrived at cur destination,
an immense palace. / entered Il spacious hall,
and ,beheld banquet which at that particular
time would have conqueied-even the 10th
Regiment. But my heart sank within me
when found that the tempting array OF food
was all vile concoctions OF nlud-grey, brown,
yellow, blue, lalock; mud OF all colors and
varieties; gorgeous and proiuso; in the form
of everything that is tempting to sight, scent
and taste. ] turned TO my fair guide to chidc
her for practicing the deception. She bade
me hold my peace. ''Listen, young soldier,
ssid she, s'you have been living in world
of ofdeception, where an optical deusion max es
the lilly white, the rose to glow in the noon
day sun, and causes the brilliancy Of a fail
maiden's eye to smile like May mornings
assure you there is nothing real in the worlc
from whence you came; but here it is other
wise, Help yourself literally Of what is before
you." / plunged carver into fine turkey
called in the bill of fare, 'I'urkey ata Mud6us,
and after procuring supply L proceeded tC
pour on it a solution called Gravy ala CatSup d.
Mudibus. About this time ielt jerk whlcl
suddenly cut short my dream of mud. Oh
waking, Onagine my astonishment,) tount
myself submerged in the vertable mud whicl
aboundeth so plentiully in and about CAM
Dennisop-the carclessness OF the Sergeant o
the Guard, who stumbled over me, caused m,
sudden transition from land OF blssiul mud
dy dreams to the soft realities OF TINS 'cussed
muddy place. Take my dream, friend Estlll
as a reality, and even then you can form 6u
an Insignificant idea of what camp Denniso
was when We landed here. Since we hay
been here matters have changed. The weathe
has been favorable, our barracks are finished
and we have two good stoves with plenty c
wood. At presnt the boys are contented an
enjoy themselves very much. In fact we ar
doing fully aswel as could be expected. W
have drawn our oyercoats. which are vastl
superior to those furnished in the three month
service. Nothing is now wanted to complet
our equipment but our muskets. These W
hope to receive at an early day.
Yours Truly.