The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-11-14
ARMY CORRBSPOyDBNCE..
Eaprrs ISLAND, S. C.. October 2e. 1861.

gnats, nnsketocs, alligators, G0ceru,neaf-agcnts
and ''nggers." In other words, we are in the
star, pitch and turpentne state" of South Car
DINA. We left bedford tie 1st of Octo-
ber, and arrived at Harrisburg the 2nd at o.
clock, A.. M. In the morning we went up to
Camp Curtin, and there gained the first real in
formation of camp life. This, however, did
not seem to be the place for us all had long,
| ing desire to leave it, and, to the joy Of all
concerned, on the morning of the 4th, we re-
ceived the welcome orders to packupandbe be rea-
| dy to start to New York. For that short trip
by railway we were ordered to provide our
selves with 'tUo dttys ,,atiops." We arrived at
New York on Saturday night about | 2 o'clock.
Sunday afternoon we were taken to Fort Frank
lin about four miles from Brooklyn. This was
a delightful trip by "city car" The most beau
! tiful scenery was presented to our eyes, the
! whole distance. Art and nature were comb.
ned to- make the country beautiful, and not in
vain. The magnificent buildings, and spacious
yards, covered with various kinds Of trees and
shrubbery, were un mis-, akabe signs of wealth.
Horticulture seems to be the principal pur-
suit, as we saw, not gardens, but acres, planted
in cabbage. We were mixed multitude con-
ssting of recruits for the 47th, 55th and 9th
Regts. z. V. Fort Hamilton is also a beauti-
ful place. The fort is situated on Il rising piece
of ground few yards from the shore N. Y. Bay.
Opposite about two hundred yards from the
shore is Fort Lafayette, and on the opposite
shore Fort Richmond. They would be danger
Gus obstacles for an ordinary vessel of war to
attempt to pass. Wednesday 9th at a'clock,
T.. NJ, we went aboard the Steamer s'United
States" bound for Port Royal, via Beaufort s.
G. We had u rough time of it. Thursday
night it commenced blowing and raining, and
continued with occasional intermissions until
we entered port at Hilton Head, on Monday
the l3th We there got on a steamboat, AMI
went up to Beaufort. Our old fiends were all
glad to see us. This, though only represcn-
tation of its former self, is, nevertheless beau
titul place. 1t is about as large as Bedford,
but looking at it from distance, it looks more
like houses built in the woods than "a regular
laid out town; and Its size can only be ascer-
tanned by trayersing it, as the numerous trees
hide it from view. Among them, are Orange,
Fig, Glove, Live Oak, English Ash, Locust OF
the northern species, besides a number of di-
ierent kinds. the names of which are not con-
tained in my vocabulary. OF the former resi-
dents Of this place only three remain. Ono
came with the 47th Regt. from Jacksonville,
Flori la and the other two were taken prisoners
and released. There are number OF spectators
here principally from northern cities. Whatever
may have been the sentiment of the people in
other places in the South tits evident that they
were almost unanimous IN favor Of secession
here; for nothing but the conviction that they
were engaged in u just cause could have indu-
ced the whole population to leave so much
wealth, grandeur and magniticence behind. :
There may have been designing men to lead
others astray, but certain it is, that the major
ity of them considered the cause good one OF
they would never have sacrificed 50 much trea-
sure and left place Of residence that some roy
al princess might have enyied.
Alas! mistaken followers OF S,cessias polit-
cal hucksters, what misery you have entailed
upon yourselves by following the deusive phan-
tom Of "Southern rights
We remained in camp ut Beaufort, uplergo-
ing the process OF imitation, obligatory upon all
soldiers, until the 2lst. Then detail Of twcn-
ty men was ordered from our company to go in
connection with details from other companies to
picket upon '.Ladies Island" Il am puzzled to
know why this is SO called, rs all that are upon
it of the feminine gender are black as Otheiio)
and happened to be fortunate enough to be "
mong the number. j had become fired of the
monotony of camp life, and anxiously awaited
n change, which happily came at last. Yester-
day we came to this place, which is about olcv-
en- miles NORTHEAST of Beaufort. We have
good times here, nothing to do during the days
but hunt squirrels, which are very plenty, and
during the night stand guard II few hours
Whilst out upon the post, that pithy ttl1 lonely
- ct,. al. r.
quently comes up in memory.
Here, as elsewhere, we find plenty of contra-
bands. Only one man of the former residents
{white) remained here. He, a few government
agents, and the soldiers, constitute the whites up
ON the Island.
AS regards military operations here, there is
not much excitement, though there is report
that an expedition will start out in few days.
Last Sunday Captain and eight men Of the
9th Con, were taken prisoners They were
here picketing and were ordered over on the
main to survey neck of land to see if il was
favorable for picketing, and after they got from
shore they were captured bya company of cav
airy. A contraband cook who was with them,
but was brought over to-day, having concealed
himself in the marsh, says the parteis of caval-
ry consisted Of about SIS men.
Perhaps some would like to know how we
like it. Well like everything else, it has its
likes and dislikcs. But as we are becoming ac-
customed to camp life we become more contcn-
ted. And am sometimes constrained to ask,
who would not exclaim in the language Of the
spoickt?"
81 want to be soldier
And with my comrades stand,
A knapsack on my shoulder
And gun within my hand"
Though far from home and home affairs, yet
cannot forget the brave (s) "non resistants"
left behind. During the commencement Of the