Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-05-25
Correspondence Of the Democrat
Carp Curtin, Nay %, lsG


In my last promised to say something
in regard to our amuscmcnts They are
as diversified as the persons who compose
this camp. The backwoodsman Sings all
eient ballads and love ditties around his
camp fire; or wiles away the tcdium ofan
hour in relating exploits wherein he ap-
pearod as principal actor, Those from
more populous districts, have cards, dice,
etc. The more athletic amusements are
such as racing, wrestling, dancing and
tossing one another in canvass. We have
preaching generally once every evening
by Capt. MoCauloy However, I don't like
bis style, Aman that dcalsin coarse okcs
speaks lightly of the communion, tells an
other to ego to thunder y and proys that
our national difficulties may not be settled
till great battles have been fought and
thousands of lives lost, in my opinion is no
follower of "tho meek and lowly Naza-
rene" The appreciation Of his discourse
by his hearers was evidenced by coutinu-
al cheers and other bcisterous domonstra-
tions of delight. AZ ono moment three
cheers would be given for the speaker, at
another three groans for jeff. Ieyis
Again some delighted individual would ex-
claim "Bully by God""go in lemons and
the like expressions. The so.callod min,
lister in question is the father of the untor-
tunato girl who caused the Smith and
Carter tragedy.
A few evenings since number Of II,
organised 4 prayer meoti9g in our quar-
ters. At first we were somewhat II ole>ted,
and the more tervcnt grew our prayers,
louder and deeper did the curses ascend.
But finally, the bcttor nature of the men
appeared, and they either Joined Us, Or
SUNK away. twas vi affecting scene to
hear devotional exercise under the circum.
stances, and the suppressed sobs bursting
from other breasts prove that unexpected
listeners were affected. Who knows what
thoughts Of home and the past were stir
red up |: may be possible toefract great
moral reformation even here. Cur meet
ings since have been solcmn, and we find
the space too small to accommodate the
numbers.
An accident occurred in camp last week,
which for the time cast over it shade Of
gloom, a man named Mattson fro'r Cam
eron county was shot through the head by
the accidental discharge of a rife which
another man was cleaning. \ number of
the "Iron G+t2ss' seized muskets, and
rushed to his quarters thinking fracas
had ensucd among the "buck tails, but ems
ployed themselves in keeping back the
crowd after learning the true state of the
case. took my station near his body but
did not observe any signs of life after he
fell.
Among the many events in the history
of our company, I may mention The roccp,
tion of Major Anderson. A regiment, Of
which the "Iron Guards" was colour com
pany, marched from Camp Curtin to the
depot to receive the "IIoro of Sumpter, -
The members Of the Legislature, Cover
nor, and Heads of Departments also ap-
peared in procession. We found the Ma
jor to be plain, common looking man ;
and his. demoanor showed that the adula-
tion heaped upon him by the North, had
not spoiled him. His face was haggard-
looking, evidently the result of severe con-
fnement in Fort Sumpter.
Oar Company is decidedly e literary
one. So far, we send on the average over
100 letters day. Those who never wrote
before, now are posting their distant friends
on matters current here The other day,
number Of us were in the Senate during
the discussion of the bill for supplies to tho
soldiers. A few members objected to some
of the items, whoreupon our Senator, l..
S. arose and proceeded to censurc the op-
posing members, denouncing them as Sc
ecssionists. The Sergeant at arms put
him out, but he still brags of his speech in
the Senate
Senator Bound paid us q visit a few
days since, and after making brief speech
presented the Company with ten dollar
bill. We made good use of it. But the
mail is about ready to leave, and 1 must
close this hastily written letter,
Yours &c.
G. 3 BROCKWAY.