Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-12-15

lttackeQ Wnen ana WIeT0 we may.
Yours in Southern bonds,
8esa Bath Reg N. c. T.
s CARP NEAR PETEEsBUEG, .YA,l
december 4th, l6G5.
Mr. EDIroR: All is quiet" cried a sol.
dier the other day, who had just returned
from the lines of the Rappahannock-'Al
is quiet along the lines" This may be en-
phatically said in reference to the 26th n. e..
We have not heard the oft repeated orders
from Headquarters, You will hold yourselves
in readiness to marcn within ten minutes
in some time. The. stir, hustle
and confusion, caused by such orders, has
not been witnessed in so long that we begin
to feel somewhat domesticated at Camp
French. Our officers have been IN the habit
of issuing so many marching orders, that
the men were disposed to regard them as a
part of the regular drill, unknown however
to Gen. Hardee. | think that it would be
a very important addition TO military tao
tics for it would learn the men TO get ready
to move quick, which is a very important
consideration IN case of emergency. But,
however this may be, it is quite relieving to
get such orders sometimes. for the novelty
of the thing. 1t is surprising to see how
fast business preparatory to marching is dis
patched.
Tent-hold furniture, enough for a small
family, is soon thrown together in one con.
fused mass, but in as small a compass as cir
cumstances will allow. Guns are rubbed
bright, and equipments arranged; haver-
sacks, that have been lying upon the ground
since the last march, are resurrected, and
tiled coplously with the staple of life. All
things made ready, the perplexing inquiry
is heard from almost every one, when do
you reckon we are going ?" The invariable
answer In our Regiment is Il don't know.
but l will be satisfied any where South of the
James" By the way, this is the universal
sentiment among the soldiers. All those
who have trod the soil of Northern Va, are.
to use their own expression, Sufficiently
amused"
But am not following up my original de-
sign in writing this communication, which
was to speak OF the regiments present posi-
ton, and also of its condition in a temporal
and spiritual sense about which many of
its friends, [ doubt not, would like to learn
something. Well, if any friend would like
to know our present position, let him come
to Petersburg-face towards the north. and
wend his way along the City Point road for
one and a half miles, then turn square to the
right, and trudge along the road towards
Prince George e.. H., for two miles and al
most before he knows it, his ears will be
greeted by the soft, sweet strains of music
swelling up from the 26th regimental band. On
MS way out from Petersburg, he will see
| some sign OF the rebels, called detences, about
which 1t may not be prudent to speak loud.
: but must whisper softly, lest father Abrab.sn
: snail hear of it, and try to correct his errine
: children.
! The temporal condition Of the regiment is
much better than it was a month ago. MANY
OF our men were then out of shoes and their
clothing much tattered. | would AXE this
occasion to say, for the comfort of their
friends, That they bore suI, under these pri-
Vations like men. With such fortitude did
: tney endure them that tsey did not even
{ seem to be depressed in spi.i its. They sang.
q danced and played as they lidi in better DAYS
! But am proud to state that they are now II
a much better condition All have shoes
ana tneir wardrobe has beensreplenished to
considerable extent. -.
we need a great many blankets bed-cloth
ing oelng exceedingly scarce, in consequenc,
Vi havlng lost SO much on marches. | think
upon the whole, our regiment is about !.
IS ven PROVIDED Tor as a majority of regiment
g 1y oai s't any Lnlng Sdid1r toe va
rlous army CORES, osidents ahalif + IL :. nt
uai conditlo1 81 sye Various co..A1ands +.
Which they This indicates an indu
. ference on L.: CT wti2h is certainly de
a. plorable. r. ~. .nifest itself
y lives and esq ga :at we sneatop
write. The plous S.. mot heln i
ing the sentiment I'M - les which il.
IT. ces on paper, as well a. ess. words whn.n +
,,r utters. ta !"
sPiouss parents who havs sons in the REQ;
:" ments viii be pleased TO learn that they bsy
as the gospel preached to them every Sa5batl
a | take great pleasure in being able to Sta,
mat there is a large number of youno me
i. here who have not yielded totbe temptatlor
OF camp, but maintain a consistent cbristia
c character. Noble youths L. One can easil
I'm see, BY. marking their daily intercourse wi,
ID. their comrades, that their influence will |
!. felt IN society when they return home as we
as 1t is here. Considering the disadvantag,
en- which we labor under here, in reference
sse the means of grace, | think | may safe
N say that We are doing as well as scould
~ expected. Pious fathers and mothers /
pray tor your unconverte,l sons with US, an
his God grant that they may all return to. Va
or With the religion Of God established in the
lie J hearts. S. S. MOORE
''e i sz1sah Chaplain esth Rec. n. Co