Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-14
FROM ROANOKE ISLAND.
On BOARD STEAMER New York,
L.. AI-....i.,.r Enh D. lSiI.

ders on the Island, to all the captains, were to
have three days cooked rations, and be in
readiness 10 go on board early Monday morn
ing. Morning came, but with it orders to
remain on shore, us the expedition had been
given up, aud quite early, our captain, (who,
by the way, remained on the Island over
ni.ht) came TO The steamer with orders for
us to pack up at once, so as TO be ready at a
moments notice to go on board the Pilot Boy,
when she came alongside. But no sooner
than Capt. Picket had got on board, sudden
gale came up, and it blew so hard that we
were obliged to remain on board, it being i'm.
possible tor any boat to get to US, and it con.
tlnued all day and night, and more than
hundred times was heard, "What must it be
at old Hattcras 2" so wildly are these stormy
scenes impressed upon US. The object Of this
letter is to give you few pleasing incidents
of a soldiers life, occurring on board steamer
New York
After the prisoners had lett the boat, meu1-
bers of Company A visited their old quarters,
which had for nearly week been occupied by
the rebel prisoners, to ascertain in what con-
diIion they had left them, and in one of the
state rooms, formerly occupied by Billings,
Aborn, Hartshorn, Lyon, Ward, and your cor
respondent, we found, written upon the paint.
ed wa J. the following Gard, copy of which
we send you tor publication, that our friends
may see in what estimation we are held by our
enemies =
1--WE, the non commissioned officers of Co.
X, eighth regiment North Carolina state
troops, return our sincere thanks to Co. A,
twenty-fiith regiment Massachusetts volun-
| teers, tor the many marks OF kindness from
| them to our company, and lift ever lies in our
| power We will return the same.
LSlgned SERGEANT JOSEPH E. IDE,
For the Company.
Alter leaving the prisoners Co. a had full
swing, being tile only company on board, and
as the coonel's cook had gone to the island
leaving his kitchen in charge OF commissary
| Watkins, who knows how fully a soldier will
| appreciate kindness, and could our friends at
home have seen how much few OF US enjoyed
favor which he granted it would in some
degree give them realizing sense OF a sol
dier's life. a sailboat, well filed with nice
I J "
priUateS laid in tor a share. And let me de-
scribe 10 you our supper, for which We are,
and ever shall be, under obligations 10 com.
missary Watkins, as he kindly offered us the
use of our colonePs Kitchen, with table and
dishes. Our company consisted OF corporal
Gates, privates Billings, Hartshorn, Lion, and
Earle, with Mr.. Watkins, our invited guest
private Billings acting as our cook, he being
Ri adept at that business-and such a supper
we have not before since we left home.
Fresh shad, soft bread, good coffee, with pen.
~ OF sugar, with officers mugs 10 drink it out
OF, and plated spoons and forks, and, more
strange than all a table to sit at Long shall
we remember MIR. Watkins and cur supper on
board the steamer New York, in our colonel's
kitchen, On the 23J OF February, 1862.
Night before last orders were read at dress
parade by all the regiments or the island,
very complimentary 10 the Massachusetts
twenty fifth and TO The Connecticut tenth regi-
memts-a copy OF which you shalt nave with
this letter--which not but he CRAFTY ing
TO all OF our friends at home. The wounded
in our regiment are AL getting along as well
as could lie expected. Several OF them had
turoughs, and are ON their way home, and
others will have them as soon as they are able
TO leave. Corporal Brooks and Private Bart
lett of our company will both have lurloughs,
and we all hope that they will be able to go
soon, as they can be made so much more
comfortable at home, where they can have
the closest attention of their friends. Yankee
enterprise has already shown itself ON the
heathenish island of Roanoke, by the erection
Of telegraph lines from General Burnsides
headquarters to all Of the camps. Thus ad-
vances civilization with the onward stride OF
the northern army. TIE