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

CAMP PATTeRsoN, Feb. 4, 1862.
Mn. EDITOR:
After being obscured for two or three weeks,
almost all the time, the sun rose this morning
in beautiful sky, his appearance being well
come, indeed. With the exception of Sunday
last, this is the most beautiful day we have had
for three weeks. The snow is about five inches
deep and sufficiently soft for the soldiers to in
dnlge in the very exhilarating amusement of
'snow- w-balllng' 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 for the feet. Thinking that, per.
haps, your numerous readers would like TO hear
from the Bedford county boys, through the col
umnS OF your excellent paper, / thought l would
occupy few leisure moments in writing some
news, which if you see proper 10 give place
in your paper, you may do SO.
And now for what little news there is. III
the first place, with the exception OF one or two
cases, the boys are all well those that are sick,
are not very seriously So mostly bad colds
They are all "spilin" for fight, anxious for a
chance 10 measure swords with the rebels, and
it is With difficulty that they can be kept on
this side of the line that separates US from the
''Land of Dixie" But every thing must have
its time, and it takes great deal of time 10 e.
quip and prepare regiment of cavalry for ac-
tive service, and think Uncle Sam must be
very flush of ''Spondulicks," or else the contin-
ual heavy drafts made upon his purse would
have emptied it long before this time be that
as it may, il was thought that tomorrow there
would be another draft made on his purse, as it
was very generally reported that the pay-mas-
ter would be here to- moi row 10 hand over somp.
of the s'needful )" but it seems that we will be-
disappointed again, as the report is contradcted
this evening.
The men are very anxious for their money,
as it is very inconvenient doing without money.
Our suler 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 full yet. The re-
giment numbers about nine hundred, all told.
The Colonel is an excellent drill officer, and
a whole souled gentleman, and is very kind 10
his men. The Quarter Masters department. is
in the hands of John A. Ellison, who is also
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
manded by Capt. &. Middleton, w. w. Ander-
son being first Lieutenant. The Captain is
good drill officer. He belonged to the First
Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry, which was
in the three months service. II mistake not,
the Colonel was also in the three months SER
vice. as aid-de-camp 10 Maj, Gen. Patterson.
Our company cansists OF S3 men, and is one
of the best drilled in the regiment, if DOT the
very best. Our captain is very much beloved
by all the men. There is an Irishman in the
company who says it is an offence punishable
with DEATH TO stop cannon ball when dis
charged from :he mouth of cannon.
Our camp is situated between the Schuylkil
and Delaware rivers, on 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
tains and hills, we have an almost level coun-
try, sufficiently rolling, however, to relieve the
eye. We have what are called Sibley tents,
with stove in them, which keep us very COM
Portable through.the inclemencies OF the wealth
er. To-day we have fine sleighng, and the
lads and lasses of Philadelphia, are having
fine time of sleighing 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
,ion 10 old maids, as we have no chance Tor a
''Squeeze" down here, and we will have to
make up for lost time. We all were the recip-
tents of neat pair OF hose, knit by the fair la
Ges of Bedford, for which they received our
heart felt thanks and three rousng cheers into
the bargain. We are determined to prove true
10 them and our country, and if they (the stock
ings) keep our feet as warm as our hearts are
towards the fair donors, there will be no danger
OF our toes freezing.
II is not known when we will 90 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, it this is accep-
liable. Yours truly,
BLOODY RUN.