Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-08-06
From our Regular Correspondent.
LETTER FROM PERRYYILLE,
LETTER No. 10
Perryville, Md,
Sunday afternoon, August 4, 1851.

perryville, Md,
Sunday afternoon, August 4, 1861.
Mn. EDlToR;-
In retrospecting the history Of
our campaigning during the season ia which We
have had the vanity to believe, that we were en-
gagged in government service, we eau arrive at
no other conclusion than that we have been en-
ioying pic mic, the chief detraction from the
pleasures OF which, consisted in the fact that it
was little too protracted for the continued mp
probation of its novelty, the original keenness
of which has been considerably blunted by an
occasional contact with rough realities which
appeared as iancies at first and by an habitua
ton to scenes aud occurrences, the essence of
which is the same.
Notwithstanding an indulgence in multitudin-
Gus croakngs and erowlings, which is prvi-
ege conceded to- or at least taken by the soldiers,
and the fact Of having made sport of our employ
ment, assuming the title of "Railroad Guards"
" Bridge Militia" cmpioyees," and styling the
Captains "Chief of Police" still the entire
affair has had 50 much the semblance Of ttte,
in some respects, that instead Of appearing in
the character of soldiers, whose business it was
to defend their country, We should in the absence
OF drills and guard duty, which have served as
souSenance that our being sent here, had some
reference to other purposes than the pursuit Of
enjoyment have seemed more like a company Of
pleasure seekers, who were trying an indepcn-
dent mode of life in which we could act with a
certain abandon, living in n frolicsome, easy
manner, as though weariel with the habits of
life to which we had been accustomed, we had
impusively determined to remove ourselves from
the hauuts Of men and women too for awhile,
and test the merits Of II change iuwhich We could
in a mare primitive style, so unshayel a month.
if necessary, and consult our own comfort gen
orally.
In addition to this partial pic mic, we have, by
a long stretch of an elastic imagination, funcied
that we have been rusticating for several weeks
at IL watering place, though not one in very great
favor with the fashionable world ltis true that
we hav'nt had much society here to add to the
festivities Of the season neither have there
been many hops, except those Of domestic
manufacture, gotten up by our men but there
has been considerable bathing aud much jovial-
ty. We have fshed and padded about in the
water, just as they do at bathing places We
have boated as is the custom have had music,
if it did proceed from drum, aud all have sang
and felt wild and joyous for the most part.
Our outdoor life has accorded with such en-
tertainmeu,s The meals have been cooked un-
der large trees, growing along the bank of the
river, md partaken OF on rustic tables on the
grass 10 equally shaded spots. In the afternoon,
\ many of them becoming sleepy, aud desiring ia
rest in ease without any special regard to the
4 dignity, start out from the post a short time
/, subsequently,, in wandering down the shore, you
H can observe n number of them in the enjoyment
\ of siesta, on earths soft and green carpet in
\ some outrageous nook, with a stone for pillow
and the cap by the side, delightful breeze with
which we are mostly favored, blowing from the
water, and moderating the heat enough to en-
courage nap. All have just been subjected to
sufficient increase to favor them into an appetite
that enabled them to do justice by the rations
Withal it has been difficult at times to per-
suade ourselves that we were not on long
continued (,le champeire, for which we brought
our guns to fire at the target merely for a little
variety. We almost forget ourselves sometimes,
and are only brought back to remembrance Of
our position, by gentle reminder of general
orders, "nO one is allowed to go more than a