Litchfield enquirer., 1862-01-30
Camp Correspondence. FVsA Regiment Conn. Volunteers.
 CAMP Near Hancock, Md,
 Jan. 18th, 1862.


 Jan. 18th, 1862.
 DEAR ENQUIRER Much of what shall tel you in this letter, will, fear, savor somewhat O antiquity, but OUT mode of life is very antagonis tic to lctter-writing and literary pursuits general ly. You have doubtless heard ere now of tn, gallant defence of Hancock by our Regime nj against an overwhelming force of six thousand rebels. The estimates vary from these figures up to sixty thousand; but regard the lowest as the best estimate in cases like this, as the pu. pills even of soldiers eye are apt to be dilated 1 by fear The small loss of life on our side ma, l perhaps be accounted for by the fact that tht Regiment was snugly ensconced in the old caml at Frederick, ffty-three miles od, out of range of the rifles with teleseopic sights of which VI hear so much nova days. Your correspondent was still farther out of range, being in thu l threatened Capital of our Nation-that Capital which We all love so much, having once all but deapaired of It's saf.ty. There, like all othel good and loyal American citizens, he attended the New Years Reception, and grasped the brawny Presidential hand, and stared at Mrs. L., and was hurried on into the famous East Room, where was assembled a motlier throng than your correspondent ever beheld before, at ball, levee or reception, impressng one at every step with the thought that he was under 8 truly democratic form of government. Without even the form of card of invitation, without the slightest distinction of rank birth or social DO sition, all were permitted one day to meet face to face, and shake hands as if on terms of equal ity with the highest official of our nation. Anc there in the next room, stood the Chief Magis trate, unguarded by single soldier of the myri ads that obey his mandates in these dark times of sedition and conspiracy, unshioded by the projections which Oriental and European na tions throw around their monarchs in the most tranquil periods. Your correspondent then se- cured a position from which he could look down in safety on the crowd striving and laboring to enter in at the front door of the White House, and amused himself greatly at the sutferngs and trials of the multitude, and the general destruc- ton of personal property, especially of silk hats, bonnets, crinoline and cpaulettcs. He pitied likewise the ladies subjected to high pressure,
 Dropping the third person, and not pursuing 8 strict chronological order in my narration, on the day before New Years, visited the Fourth at thelr Camp on Arlington Heights, and found them in high health and excellent spirits. Their barracks in Fort Richardson were just compile ted. and in the evening they were thrown open for a New Years Eve banquet, which the officers of the Regiment gave to their friends in the neighboring Regiments You would have thought. from the taste with which the hall was decorated with flowers and evergreens, and flu. minated with various colored lights, that halfthe ladies in Litchfeld had lent their skillfnl hands to the work. The night passed away pleasantly in mirth, music and song. To us voluntary ex- lies from home and its pleasures, such occasions as these are bright eposhs i'll our history, and f tbo of stu plaa Dtlu u,;th the memory of long campaign and tedious march.
 Returning to Frederick, found the Regiment encamped on the old ground, and was certain this time that they were in winter quarters. But alas for humaB- fallibility. No sooner had we become fairly settled, than orders came to pre- pare to march, and one cold, snowy morning, between the hours of three and four, We found ourselves breasting the wind and sleet, and wa ding through snow and slush, with our faces turned Hancockward, it being our lot to be driv- en like shuttle-cock from place to place, or rather of late, to vibrate like pendulum be- tween two fixed point-according to some in scrutable generalship. will slur over the de- ous one, only mentioning, that the first night, the whole Regiment quartered in the Female Seminary in Hagerstown, (be not too jealous, Oh knight of the quill; the young ladies were home on furlough.) s4r
 The next night found us exchanging learning for religion, and sleeping ~e had, fear, often before, in q church-the third in two large barns, a granary, and hen roost, having de- serted both learning and religion for agriculture. Your correspondent wonders if there be any un- tried novelty in the sleeping liue but believes he has tested all varieties. There are about three thousand troops here. "A!l quiet ou the Pc tomac." D.
 P. S.-A good story isgoing the rounds. A fond mothsr writing to her warlike son who has just been promoted to the responsible And hon. orable position of corporal in one of our com psnies, closeda letter with, "For Gods sake, Jimmy, be kind to the poor privatesr'