The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-01-15

after them (the geese, not the men When
they saw something in the field that they
could use to better advantage in the Com
pany. So off they started, and In few
moments porker was lying on the ground
with both fore shoulders broken. j was
soon cut up aud strung on our bayone's
all ready to carry to our home, pro tenn,
and have a better meal than the Govern
ment furnished US with, for fresh meat of
our own killing we had not had, especially
pork. We marched back to the camp
and found our huts all taken by the Com
panies detailed the first day, Sunday. We
split up among the other Companies, and
when night came some of US laid by the
fire till morning, when we started out on
picket again as the Colonel said he could
depend on us more than he could on the
other Companies, some of whom he utter
ly refused to allow either to scout or 90
out as pickets. As we had bulls nice
warm huts of our own on our posts, we
were eager to 90, as we could do nothing
in camp. Christmas was beautiful day.
The sky was clear and it was as warm as
a June day. We felt in good spirits,
though we wished we could be where we
could have nice Christmas dinner, and
we thought how our friends would feel
did they know where and how We spent
the day We thought of the sleigh-rides
we would have had, Of the happy parties
on Christmas Eve. We thought, yes, We
fattered ourselves We would be missed by
some one somewhere, and then we deter
mined to prove ourselves worthy of that
remembrance. We expected an attack
that day, and we thought as they had
compelled US to lose our Christmas dinner
and other attendant comforts, that they
would pay dear for it. But the day passed
and nothing more than volley or two Oh
our right, a mile or so from Us which put
US on our taps for little while, and an
alarm of "cagalry" some time in the night,
though nothing came in sight to us.
We were relieved by the New York
57th Regiment about IL o'clock Thurs
day morning, and started for home which
we reached, nearly used Up, about 3 O.
clock p NJ Since then we have done
nothing Of any consequence except receiv-
ing our pay. We were paid for the first
half month (from the time we left home
to the 3lst Of October). The next time
we receive pay it will be for two months,
which will make US pretty flush fer lit
tie while, though some of our boys will
spend it as soon as they getit Some who
received nearly eight dollars had spent all
but one or two dollars before night of the
same day they were paid. We were paid
with FIVE dollar Treasury notes and the
change in silver. They are making out
the pay-rolls for our second payment now,
SO our next payday is not far off.
We have great deal OF sickness in our
Company, as some Of the boys are so care
less Of themselves (and the majority of
our sickness is the result Of carelessness,) }
as to get a bad cold and do nothing for it
till it gets so bad that they are taken with
a severe fit of sickness, or cough their
throats sore and then have to 90 to the
Hospital, perhaps to be laid up for long
time. There has been one death at the
Hospital, Almeron G. Burdick, and that
could net be prevented as he had made
up his mind TO die when he went there,
though the doctor falsely held out hopes
to US of his recovery till within an hour
or two Of his death He is missed in the
Company, and his loss is felt by all the
boys. He was very quiet, but made
friends wherever he went.
We move from this place tomorrow.
though our destination no one Knows
Some say we will go to the hill on our
right, while some think we will leave the d.
vision, Owe know our Colonel wishes to-
and in that case we will 90 further The
reason why he wishes to leave is because
we are the only Pennsylvania Regiment
in the Division. [ have great deal more
to write but fear I shall exceed the space
which might be filed with more valuable
matter. BUTTY.