The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-05-29
stray Leaves from Camp-No. 4.
CASroNNKNT ANDERSON,
~ n n NJ rCcf


Grand Rapids, MAJ 81, 1851,
I'M CRAvArH Dear Sir: An occasional
ote from Camp may not be uninteresting to your
esders. The public have already been informed
# our trip hither, but they can imagine but
title Of camp life without some aid in the shape /
# pen pictures.
Can,onment Anderson is located on the Kent
COUNTY Fair Grounds, three miles from the De-
DO, Of the Milwaukee r. K. Forty acres are In |
closed with high close board fence. The |
ground is slightly rolling and covered with oak
yrubs About ten acres occupied by the
more have been cleared and lev
eled for a parade grOund-th. remainder = nezr-
" in state of nature fine race track seven
eish.hs of mile long and six rods ride, furnish
es excellent grounds for camp drill Two, three
or four times around this track on double quick
step Ia short rum before breakfast, sharpens our
appetite and gives us a relish for food that other
wise might 60 untasted.
The men are quartered in Floral Hall, bull
ding semi circular in shape and about l20 feet
long, Is wide and 30 high-in this, about 700
men find lodging The building is two stories,
and on each floor are two tiers of bucks, ship
style-four. and in ease Of necessity. FIVE Men
10 each man is furnished BY the State. while
many Of the men, as in case of the Lansing boys,
have been furnished through the industry and
patriotism of the ladies, with a quilt or extra
blanket Without these our men would have
suffered very mut during the recent cold wealth
er. A temorary building, or shed, for it has nei-
Their floor nor sides, about 200 feet long by is
wide constitutes the boarding hail. Three tables
the whole length of this seats the entire regi
ment. The table furniture, which By some nigh,
be considered scant, is all that is necessary, con
sists of a tin plate, cup, and knife and fork. The
bill Of fare is not exactly what you might expect
at the lansing House, still it is more and better
than We expected to get in camp life. For break
fast We have coffee, sugar, beef steak. boiled or
fried potatoes, bread and butter For dinner we
have an indescribable soup, boiled beef and pota
toes, beans, bread, butter ani water. Supper is
varied BY tea, sugar, cold beef, fried potatoes,
bread and butter Much complaint, and justly
too, was made few DAYS since about the victuals
being cold and not "a neat as We might prefer It,.
This has been remeded to some extent. The
officers of the regiment showed their inclination
TO beiriend the men under their care in all cases
by the prompt manner in which they inquired in
to the cause of the complaints. and the mean:
| thew took to remedy them.
On Thursday and Friday last we were regular
" mustered into service by General Whittelsy
Al some future time will give you the names
of those who were rejected on account of a dis
ease fortunately called by the Surgeon, "a laci
of back bone" Others We're found to take thei
places however, and our ranks full. Mr.
Ellsworth, from the Muskegon country, who re
sisted the first excitement OF volunteering, hear
| ing that some companies were to be disbande,
for want of men to fill their ranks, left his plac
and came on foot sixty miles to join the regimen,
Such men will make true soldiers. He jone,
the Williams Rifles.
Our company all enjoy good health excep
Nicholas WEIGH, who has had the lung fever. Blu
is better.
Yesterday forenoon an accident occurred tina
cast gloom over the whole camp. The regi
ment was marched to the river to battle; Will
A. Hammond, a cousin of B. F. Hammond an
member of the Boston Light Guard was seize
with cramp, and in the midst of his comrade
sunk in twelve feet of water. Consideration
seized the whole of them and they fed to III
shore leaving him to his fate. Allen s. Shattuck
Of the Rifles. though at some rods distance rush
ed to him, and though unsuccessful, certainly de
rves credit for the effort made to rescue hin
He was the only person that made an effort
The body was recovered after a delay of fort
minutes, by Mr.. George Garner, of the Muske
gon Rangers. Unsuccessful efforts were made
under the direction of Lieut.. Jeflerds NJ D., of tn
Rifles, at resuscitation. Six hundred men wen
out in the morning full OF hilarity and joy, an
returned few hours later in gloom and sorrow
It was surprising what change the presence Q
death wrought Mr. Ham nond was from 81
Johns. He was universally liked by those VIII
knew hm-his remains will be sent home undo
a proper military escort.
Religious services were held in the Afternoon
by the newly appointed Chaplain. He will b
popular il he always studies the comfort Of tn
soldiers as well as he did this time-that is b
preaching brief sermons. 1t is not pleasant t
stand immovable for an hour.
Tomorrow We receive our uniforms. 1t
thought We will receive marching orders the lat
ter part of this week-all are anxious to receiy
the command. 1t is now clearly ascertaned tina
Virginia will be our destination. The thanks q
the company are due to the Daily Eagle and tn
Enquirer, of Grand Rapids, and to the RepuJli
can, and D. NJ. Bagley, of Lansing, for papers
All letters ana papers should be marked Com
pany G." We have been changed from 4. 1
few more men of the right kind can obtain ad
mission to our company.
Truly yours,
Senator Douglas.