The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-02-14
Letter from a Soldier.
CAMP PATTeRsoN, Feb. 4, 1862.


CAMp P4TTeRsoN, Feb. 4, 1862.
Ma. EDITOR
After being oJscured for two or three weeks,
almost all the time, the sun rose this morning
in a beautiful sky, his appearance being well
come, indeed With TIE exception of Sunday
last, this is the most beautiful Gay We have had
for three weeks The snow is about five inches
deep and sufficiently soft for the soldiers to in
dulge in the very exhiIarating amusement Of
"snow-b -ballIug" each other, which is about all
we can do, now, as the snow prevents US from
drilling, except in the sword exercise, and then
it is too cold Tor The feet. Thinking that, per-
haps, your numerous readers would like 10 hear
from the Bedford county boys, through the col
umns Of your excellent paper, thought would
occupy few leisure moments in writing some
news, which if yOu see proPe. to give a place
IN your paper, you may do 50.
And now for what little news there is. In
the FIRST pace, with the exception OF one or two
cases, the boys are all well; those that sick,
are not very seriously SO, mostly bad colds.
They are all sespiIin'' for fight, anxious for
chance 10 measure swords with the rebels, and
il is with difficulty that they can be kept on
this side Of the line that separates US from the
Gland of Dixie" But every thing must have
its time, and it takes great deal Of time to e.
quip aod prepare a regiment Of cavalry for ac-
tive service, and think Uncle Sam must be
very flush of ''Sponduicks," or else the contin-
ual heavy drafts made upon his purse would
have emplied it long before this time b. that
as it NAV, il was thought that tomorrow there
would be another draft made on his purse, as it
was very generally reported that the pay-nas-
10, 10 baf
of the ssneedfui - but it seems that weAvill be
disappointed again, as the report is contradicled
this evening.
The men are very anxious tor their money,
as it is very nconvenent doing without money.
Our sutler issues tickets and sells al two prices.
Our regiment is commanded by Col R, But
Ter Price, and consists Of twelve companies,
some of which are not quite foil yet. The re-
giment numbers ABOUT nine hundred, all told.
The Colonel is an excellent drill officer, and
a whoIe-souled gentleman, and is very sind TO
his men The Quarter Masters department is
in the hands of John A. Ellison, who is also
a fine man. The citizens OF Philadelphia have
presented him With an excellent sabre and sash,
the scabbard being handsomely decorated. The
officers commanding the regiment are all well
drilled and fine men. Our company is com
manded by Capt G. Middleton, w. w. Ander-
son being first Lieutenant The Captain is
good drill officer. He belonged 10 the First
Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry, which was
in The thfep months service. II mistake not,
the Colonial was also in the three months SER
vice, as aid-de-camp to Maj. Gen. Patterson.
Our company consists OF SO men, and is one
OF the best drilled in the regiment, if not the
very best Our captain is very much beloved
BY all the man. There is an Irshman in the
company who says it is al offence punishable
with death, to stop cannon ball when dis
charged from ;be mouth Of cannon.
Oar camp is situated between the SchuyIkill
and Delaware rivers, on a neck OF land called
Point Breeze, which runs 10 point where the
two rivers unite, and hence the name. We
have very pleasant camp it is within the
limits OF the city, though some distance from
the city proper. The country down here is far
different from Bedford county. Instead of noun
rains and hills, we have an almost level coun-
try, sufficiently rolling, however, to relieve the
eyes We have what are called Sibley tents,
with stove in them, which keep US very COM
Portable through the inclemeucieS Of the wealth
er. To-day we have fine seighng, and the
lads and lasses of Philadelphia, are having a
hne time OF slelghlng past our camp at 2.40
pace while we, poor soldiers, can do nothing
but look On and admire. But never mind
we'll have our fun when the war is over and
We shall have done fighting. The way We will
put things through then will be sample for
the rest of mankind. The way the girls will
have TO suffer when we get home, will be eau
ton to old maids, as We have no chance Tor a
squeeze" down here, and we will have to
make up for lost lime. We all were the recip-
tents of neat pair OF hose, knit by the fair la
dies of Bedford, for which they received our
heart fef thanks and three rousing' cheers into
the bargain. We are determined TO prove true
10 them and our country, and if they (the stock
ingsl keep our feet as warm as our hearts are
towards the fair donors, there will be no DAGGER
OF our toes freezing.
1t is not known when we will 60 down South
We are anxious to be in actual service, and
think there will be more satisfaction among the
soldiers, when that time comes, as they are dis
satisfied with this ''masterly inactivity" We
have nothing to complain of in the way of clo-
thing and food, as we have plenty OF both and
the very best that Uncle Sam can afford. But
| must close. More hereafter, il this is accep-
table, Yours truly,
BLOODY RUN.