The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-04-10
Letter fro.n tire silver Grays.''
CAMP Curtin, 4PrI ,, 1862.
Correspondence Of The Aneghanian.

y
little or no change In the routine Of events
in camp, each day being counterpart of
its predecessor and "A precursor OF that
which Is to follow. As I have already
informed you, this military post IS now a
regularly established depot for recruits,
who are first assembled here, and then
distributed to their respective commands.
There is, as a consequence, no fxedness
of hunters, the recruiting officers IN dif-
ferent portions of the State sending in
large numbers daily, and there being q
regular depletion going on, in the way of
forwarding the recruits to the Regiments
in the field
Under the direction of Capt. Dodge,
the Superintendent of the recruiting ser
vice in Pennsylvania, the quarters for the
men have undergone complete overhaul
ing. These have been thoroughly reno
waited and improved. Distinct apart
ments have been arranged for cooking,
eating and sleeping, which separation has
conduced much tp the comfort Of LIE in
camp. The gentlemanly Superintendent
has likewise made provisions for having
all the othcerS connected with the post,
quartered within the camp. Buildings
are being erected Tor their accommoda-
ton. In a few days, each officer viii
have his own little home or "snuggery,"
in which he may practice in the domes-
tic accomplishment conn ected with house
keeping, without tcaT Of being annoyed or
treated to a curtain lecture Tor any and
every violation of strict propriety. l
have 10 doubt that our mess will De dis
tinguished a. the mess Of the camp-no-
ted toI the neatness Of its apartments, and
the hospitality of It's members. That you
may be safe IN endorsing this assertion,
suppose you "couie along" by way OF
visit, and then judge for yourself.
The new order of things here has been
fJllowed by new associations \ mum
Der Of officers who had been detailed for
the recruiting service in Philadelphia and
elsewhere, have been ordered to this
camp. \ more agreeable, open-hearted
outs spoken, and chivalrous body of gen
tlemen can not be found anywhere. My
brief acquaintance has already attached
me to them, one and all L will very
much regret our separation, when the
time shall have arrived COR saying aclicU
The last week has been one Of mingled
rejoicing and OrTowing-rcjoicng at the
contemplation OF the distinguished vicio-
~ achieved 10y the Federal army at WIN
chester-scrrowiny for the death OF the
noble, heroic martyrs for Liberty, whose
blood attested their devotion to their
country aud its flag When the news
. g
Shields command with the rebel forces
under jackson. the most intense anxiety
was manifested to hear of the result
Quickly upon the heels Cf the first reports,
came the news of victory aud death. The
intelligence OF the participation Of the
gallant Sith in the hottest of the fight,
was accompanied by the sad announce
nent that It's valiant Colonel had fallen
upon the field or battle. How can [ de-
scribe to you the gloom and evidence Of
desolation of heart which at once seized
upon the community, in which the hero
and martyr had been known from his
oyhood Old and young gave vent TO
the feelings OF deep sorrow that came up
from their he art of heartS-the sympathy,
" hose depth, like the streams current is
known by lis stiffness, WAS whispered into
the ear Of the Mother and the Sisters
The Representatives of the People-the
Executive OF the State-the Heads of
Departmebts-thosew who had been COM
panious of the deceased in the halcyon
days OF youth, We'd. with each other in
giving testimony to their appreciation of
the worth, virtue, and patriotism o: him
whose corpse spoke his love tor his coun-
try and his devotion to the Union.
But why mourn . death, such was
that of WILLIAM GRAY MURRAY? ? 1t
was such an one as he himself would have
chosen. Had he not been prevented by
circumstances over which he had no con-
trol, he would have drawn his sword in
the defence Of the "Stars Il Stripes" at
tie very outset ot this war against rebel
lion Death freed the sword to his iron
grasp, and death has glorifed it in vic
tory. What was life to such man when
duty beck0ned onward" There is every
evidence that he reckoned its value at
less figure, than that which he had set up
on the performance Of his Obligations to the
land OF his birth. lie gave it up as 2
willing. sacrifice upon the altar Of Liberty.
When in the agonies of dissolution when
his noble soul was about leaving the ten