Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-18
FROM THE SECOND MASSACHUSETTS REeI-
MENT
CANToNMEYT Hicks, near Fredesick,
February 10, 1872.

February 10, 1872
Though not, technically speaking, in winter
quarters, we are for the present fastened here.
Our camp is situated on a gentle slope I'm the
midst of lovely grove of oak, chestnut, and
maple, and an occasional beautiful sassafras
tree. When we entered the place was tam
ged mass of underbrush, scarcely penetrabIe
by the line of the regiment. But a few hours
lebor of the vigorous hands of the second
made it as handsome and neat grove as ever
tempted picnic party; while the tented vii.
lage which had mysteriousIy arisen in its
midst seemed the work OF fairy hands
The other regiments Of the division have
built houses of logs and boards, to
resist the rigor of winter. But the Massachu-
sets End, though they have had nothing but
tents, have endured the coolest weather with
out suffering, and show a sick list smaller
than that of any other regiment under Gen.
Banks. The mud is our only troub e-mud
which more than any rebel arms, prevent our
forward to Winchester"
Climbing hill on which is the head. quar-
tiers of Gen. Albercombie, splendid land
scape is before us. At its base winds the sill
yer thread of the Monocacy. Embedded in
hills, like Worcester, is the city of Frederic.
The neat white houses are set OF in fine con-
trast by the dark back ground of the Blue
Ridge, stretched far away to the Potomac.
Frederic, though a city of nearly the sizs of
Worcester, presents all The contrasts of New
England and a southern city. Its apparent
neatness when seen from distance fades from
view as we approach its dirty streets and al
leys. Mr.. Cough could find no stronger ar
gument than to place this city, with its rum
shop at every corner, beside our own noble
city in the Heart of the Commonwealth the
high moral tone of the citizens OF the latter
against the ignorance and want of refinement
in the former its smart, independent mechan-
les against the lazy, oily contrabands; its res
licences and workshops against the novels
steaming with rum and misery.
The Jesuits have an efiectual pied a terre in
this city. The cathedral is equal in magnii-
cence and beauty 10 any in Boston. The re-
tinement of taste and the appreciation of the
the beautiful in art, which is so general among
the Jesuits, is brilliantly exemplfed. Opposite
the church is a seminary of learning. under the
charge Of the sisters OF visitation. While re-
ceiving the patronage OF the south this insti.
tuition showed full catalogue. But the pre-
sent troubles have reduced its numbers to a
mere nucleus. At right angles with the
church and monastery is a school for JesuitS.
A part of the building is occupied by the no
vitiates, part by those who have passed the
long ordeal, and small part is devoted to ed
ucational purposes They have moderate,
but by no means extensive library
There are ancient barracks in the southern
portion OF the city, now occupied as hospital
for our troops. The hospital is under the care
Of DR.. Stone, assistant surgeon of the second
Massachusetts regiment. The ladies of Fred
erick are very kind doing all in their power
to alleviate the tedium of the poor fellows
languishing on sick beds, so far from home
and the care of friends. Many brave soldier
is moved to tears as fair hand Smooths for
him his rough ouche or brings some article of
creature comfort.
The barracks were erected by Gen. Brad0ck's
army about the year 1853, the memorable year
of his defeat. In fact the turnpike which
runs past our brigade from Frederick to Bal.
timore is a portion of the road built by this ill.
fated general. lie must have marched directly
by this spot when he set out on that expedi.
ton which by his rash neglect had so disas-
trous a termination.
The health Of this regiment is good-unus
ualIy good considering the amount of duty
they have had to perform. There have been
but fifteen deaths in the regiment since its or
ganization in May last. Few regiments can
show so small mortality list. EMP.