Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-01-03
Army Correspondence. Delaware Gazette
CAMP KEYS, RONNEY, Va,
December 15th 1851

respondent 10 furnish you the same 1t is tn
there is wonderful amount of material, sue
as it is, to be gathered from our every da
history, but it Is an undertaking too respons
ble for ne TO reduce them to articles of co
respondence. But we have been busy in gatl
ering such items Of interest as the sequel
this article may develop.
Our stay in this place has been continual
marked with great perplexity of opinion
One day it is firmly believed that this is to b
our 1einteT-qHarterS Gnother day the receive
opinion is that we will advance upon the enc
my, or that we viii be attacked soon, and unit
quite recently our destiny has been wonderful
y mistiiied. And do not pretend TO kno1
any more to-day than yesterday, but ever
movement indicates to me that we will lay a
this point some time yet
When we take survey of all the Uniol
forces spread all over the seat of war, our flitl
10 the certainty of success Strengthens to tn,
satisfaction of demonstration. and we aptici
pate return by next June, at any rate Bu
The seeming inactivity of the Great Army OF
the Potomac" and the threatened interleranc,
oI "JOhnRy Bull, causes our faith in tn,
speedy suppression of Rebellion to wane-bu,
a seated loyalty in the patriotic hearts of oul
boys nerves them for a continued prosecution
OF the war. We are in for tie war; lift closes
within three years, good, but if it is required
we are for double that period.
1t would do your readers good to know tina,
the boys have settled down with determine
tlon to do honor to their homes and the cause
in which they are engaged. am not certain
but nearly all of MS would have accepted the
privilege of going home to spend the holi-
days, but few ii any manifest any anxiety to
go home on any other occasion, and the many
whom L have conversed with feel like going in
for another year.
Perhaps your readers would like to know
how we spend our Christmas. suppose on
the main it is here as it is in Ohio in times of
peace. Each one selects bis own method OF
enjoyment There is a military restraint
thrown upon the passions Of inordinate men
which forbidS that rude, unnatural method
which many of our friends suppose TO be COM
mon IN war. mvst say that owing to the
class of men in army, that our amusements
are in wonderful degree moral. 1 do not
mean by this to approve of wickedness in anv
shape, but in the ca e before us it is much more
favorable than many might conclude. But to
the qestion. We have given up all idea of
getting home for the holidays, so we have con-
cluded TO have good time of it ANYHOW
Que OF our mess Oh fOraging expedition the
other day, bought turkey, aud we hired
lady to dress aud cook it, and all we wanted to
complete an old fashioned Christmas Dinner
was ''Ihe gals we left behind us" and many
were the sighs towards home, and loud. hong
peals of laughter that arose from our fcstaJ
board when the merry jokes went round."-
There are seven or eight days yet before US
w hat will be their history no ono knows; but
Can assist you IN forming very good idea
just reflect that the holidays come only once
a year, and that the golden light Of payday
still reflects upon us, and that turkeys, honey,
and the like are TO be had, and from these
items you can form as correct an idea as your
must be allowed the privilege to correct
a false impression that could be gathered from
what has just been said, namely, that the Gov
does not supply US with sufficient
Iood- We fare sumptuously every day. and
it could be said that we are dressed in "PurpIe
and fine Satinett-" Our food includes the fol-
lowing items: Beef or pork. bread, (good light
bread Or their equivalent in pilot bread), coffee,
sugar, rice or beans potatoes, onions, plolasses,
vinegar, salt and soap, of course, and by the
way, very indisI ensabe item.
All the boys are completely clothed, with
'aps, blouses, or dress coats, pants and boots
from home). or bootees from Tie Government,
besides an abundance of under-clothing and
blankets. Our old Bell tents have been ex-
changed for good quality of the Sibiey tent.
These tents accomOdate from fifteen TO twenty
men, their construction is simple, and in per
ect keeping with the laws of health. They
IRE of conical shape, nearly twenty feet at
he base, and about sixteen feet high, support
ID in the centre by an upright pole. resting
'n castings four feet in length. At the top is
IN opening for the escape Of impure air or
'moke. We wanted but one thing to render !
IS comfortable, and that was stove, and this |
$ strangely provided us in the shape of a fun
lel upside down, an nperature at the bottom !
or the admission of fuel. 1t is wonderful how
hose strangely constructed stoves draw
" hen seated around one of them we cannot
eel our wants. With very little pains we can
it out our homes 50 that but one article is |
wanting. [ must, for modestys sake allow
our readers to guess what that article isl
These long winter nights are favorable to
udy and mental improvement, and in many |
Instances are appreciated and improved. We
ave reading, only one day behind the times, |
he Wheeling Inteligencer," and Daily Com |
nercials are common papers among us
Algebra, English and German are
tuded with profit, and last, though not least,
n the enlightenment and refinement of camp
ile is the Ministry OF Gods Word The Chap |
aims of The 4th and 9th, Drs. Warner and S. L. |
TOuree, have taken possession of the Church |
ormerly occupied by the Presbyterian Pas
or. Public services every Sabbath at 10 a. |
a., and sacraments or Conference meetings at
p. m.
Your correspondent has enjoyed many inter
sting interviews with the pious of the Regi- /
lent, and am satisfied that there are many /
tho entered the army as church members who
ill come out without serious damage to their |
hristian characters. And ! wish to say that I
ur Cbaplains are awakening to the response !
iity of their charge. Let no one conclude |
hat chapliancy in the army is an enviable
osition. Far from it. And none need the
ymyathy and prayers of the Church at home
Ike these ambassadors of Christ.
A few of our boys are at home on furlough, |
nd others are going tomorrow. You win
oubtlcss learn all the particulars of the camp
rom them. Dan. q. STRONG.
The New York Evening Post says that no
neesiness need be felt in regard to detcien-