The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-01-09
LEGAL and PERSONAL.
otter from the "Silver Grays.''

,or from "camp," | embrace the opportu-
n;tv of giving you brief communication,
hv wav of "opening the ball" The sur
landings are by no means the best for
;nditing a sketch descriptive of camp life,
as we'll as of the "pomp and circumstance
Of Glorious war;" Officers quarters have
not vet been provided for those of the Sill
rer G1ays, else your humble correspon-
dent. Notwithstanding his position is only
that of "high private might avail him.
eaIf of the retirement that such locality
would supply. Iwrite amid the noise and
hustle incident to general boarding tent,
in which can be distinguished the Irish
hrogue. the sweet German accent, and the
cracking Welsh, beautifully interspersed
with the euphonious English. 1t is really
q strange medley, and, if reduced to sys-
TEN by some adept in the science of
acoustics, would furnish something neO in
this age of progress and invention.
Since my arrival, the camp has been all
hustle and excitement, caused by the
marching out of the regiments command
ed by Co,onels Murray and Lewis. Since
their withdrawal, estimate the number
now here who wear Uncle Sans livery
and eat his pork and beans to be about
TWO thousand 1t is reported that another
regiment Col Wilson's) has received
marching orders. This expected depar
ture will diminish our number materially
and render Camp Curtin less place Of
interest than it has been.
But why rack the brain in summoning
words to express views Of SO little interest
70 your readers, SO long as the welfare,
the prospects. the condition and the chal-
acter Of the Silver Grays furnish theme
for the pen of your correspondent! Then
to my task.
The Silver Grays, numbering between
sixty aud seventy men, regularly mustered
into the service of the United States, are
comfortably quartered in frame barracks,
and are in the enjoyment ef all the ac-
cOmmodations that can be furnished by
the Quartermaster and Commissary of the
camp. No member Of the company came
here expecting to find a Continental or
Metropolitan Hotel open for his reception.
On the contrary, each enc knew that the
luxurles Of life belong not tc the soldiers
career. So long as the necessaries are
furnished, however, there can be no ground
for complaint Of the latter we have an
abundance, and Of the very best quality.
Ihave never eaten better bread, fresh and
salt meat, beans, rice, and other substan-
tials, nor drank better coffee, than I have
had set before me in these quarters. As
to the clothing, it is of good quality and
well made. Take it all in all, there is no
room for the exercise of the grumbler' S
occupation. All are satisfied with their
lot, and will manifest their appreciation of
the protecting care of their country by an
exhibition Of a loyal devotion to its Flag.
The Silver Grays enjoy reputation
that is rendered the brighter by contrast.
Most other companies are made up Of
young men who are playing the "Bold
Soldier Boy and Sowing wild oats" at
one and the same time. 1t is an adage as
trite as it is true, that you "cannot expect
TO find ah old head on young shoulders !"
These men, now in their halcyon days,
will sober down in the face of the enemy,
and do good service in the protection and
vindication of the Right. They possess
courage and patriotism, the necessary es-
sentials that should distinguish the soldier
of the Republic. But, without any dis
paragement to them, all will and do admit,
after taking cool and dispassionate view
of the questions at issue, and of the i'm
portancc to all future generations that this
Union be maintained in its integrity, that
the Silver Greys are just the kind Of men
from whom the younger volunteer will
take example. There is deeply rooted
sentiment of respect to age which imbues
tie human heart. It is manifest in this
camp. Officers and privates pay all def
erence to the whitened locks of many Of
the members of our company. Were old
John Burgoon to perambulate the camp
grounds, he would receive more sincere
and heartfelt salutations than would be