The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-04-05
Correspondence.
Correspondence of The Cecil Wig
LETTER FROM NEWPORT NEWS.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. Mar. 2S, 'G2.

NEWPORT News, Va, Mar. IS, 'G2.
DEAR EDITOR This is the third attempt
to provide your columns with some items
of interest about the veal and woe of two
Cocil companies. who now tread the sacred
soil of the Old Dominion, but, as | under
stand my former communications did not
reach you, hope that these lines NAV find
their way to the eyes Of those Of you readers
who have friends in our midst.
Our arrival here two days after the Mer-
rmac had made her appearance, was in
every way cheerful one for us, notwith-
standing that We had to exchange the com
Portable barracks of Camp Hoffman for
chilly tents without stoves and without
floors. We were at once brigaded under
General Mansfield, together with several
New York, Massachusetts and In1it+na
regiments, and our Brigade belongs to the
Division of Gen. Wool. Our Camp is very
rrettily situated between the beech and the
skirts OF picturesque pincgrove, and the
inclined masts of the unhappy Cumberland
are within rifle shot of it. The Congress
lays about half mile further below in the
river, and shows nothing more of its exis-
tence than the black charrcd edge of its
burned deck, on level with the water at
ebbtide. We found in our campground
several pieces of shells, which the Merr.
mac had sent hither, perhaps in anticipa,
ton of our arrival. and some of the boys
collect freely, relies of the last combat and
ct the different ruins of houses. ships, ETC.,
around us. We had bard work the first few
days to get along on Il level in drill and
field service with those regiments which had
been seven to ten months, here, but we are
acknowledged fine regiment, not only in
appearance, but in every branch of the
\yI hal m a. r,,I h,l lot
to assimilaie already with the wcathcrwurn
and threadbarc garments of our ncighbors.
and smooth, fair collntcnances change into
bcardy chns and sunburnt compleNions.-
Some OF our boys were a little bomcsck at
first when they chcwcd the ancient biscuits,
and found the sacred soil of Virginia as
wet, muddy. and when dry, as hard, as that
of old Maryland. But sunrise with the
warbling OF the songStcrS in the trees dis
PEELED all blues, and there is now no one
in the regiment who is not anxious to give a
good report of himself when we shall have
an opportunity to show orr love to the Union
by more than marching and drilling.
The climate here is very changcable. -
We have many rains, but short ones, with
warm days and cool nights. Hence we had
the first two weeks great many colds, and
other slight indispositons but the general
'caith 'nioiS us Is SoOl ana our comfort
increasing, as we have learned that once
more it lays i'll our hands to improve nature
and government supplies, as long we are
as willing to make use of spade and
axe. Our hospital arrangement arc, how
ever, insufficient, and if the generosity of
your Union ladies is not exhausted by their
free contributions to the Eastern Shore,
they may be persuaded that some of the
bounty of their good hearts, will find here
perhaps less worthy, but not less needy or
less grateful receivers. A small supply of
The Wing would also be thankfully received
as our boys do not cease to take an interest
in their home affairs, even if their native
county should cease to take an interest in
them.
We have heard that there are many reports
circulated concerning our regiment, not
very complimentary for it, but we do not
condcscend to enter into any answer of
them, as facts always speak for themselves
and we suppose that you know as well as
we, who has an interest to rcviIe the Mary.
land regiments as much as possible. Good
bye. Give the love of all Cecil boys of 9TH
Maryland regiment to their friends, and
send us i'll return soon some county news.
J; i x