The Placer herald., 1862-12-20
SACRAMENTO CORRESPONDENCE .
SACRAMENTO, December 18th, 1862.

ramble on Sunday, and brought up ut the Park.
At present this place is quite military depot,
it being occupied by two Companies Of the Third
Infantry, California Volunteers, and Captain De
Merrtt's Sacramento Rangers. In the course of
the two hours spent among the military gain
ed quite an inside view of the pleasures and dis
appointments of II soldier. To lie a soldier, as
exhibited at the Park, is not the agreeable and
polite pasime the verdant might imagine.
propose to give as plain and brief description OF
the condition Of things at this place, as they ap-
peared by general outside observation. The two
Infantry Companies occupy for sleeping and cook
ing departments, the main park building. kitch-
ems have been fitted the west line OF the build
ing, extending into the street, as is indicated by
| five or six long stove pipes, outside and above
the roof of this long building. Here the food.
plain and substantial, is prepared by the soldiers,
who are detailed into messes for the purpose.
The sleeping department. embracing the main
saloon and parlors Of the Agricultural Society,
is fitted up a la Storage, and bunk over bunk
lines each side, west and east A large stove
stands in the centre. which keeps the rooms very
warm-tOo much so. as they are not sufficiently
ventilated. Each bunk is numbered and exhibits
the initials Of the Company and name of reg-
ment. These companies are not tull. Only about
! 100, together, appearing at dress parade on this
occasion. Some are on the sick list. some doing
guard duty, and others have left for parts I'M
known. Four were sentenced to loose one months
wages, for desertion, on Sunday. The uniform
of the companies consists OF dark blue coat. and
light blue pants, with the Kossuth hat, the brim
buttoned over to the left side by a rosette. Their
arms are the Springfield Muskct, which were as
bright as new coined silver dollars The rank
and file is composed of young and middled aged
men, with large sprnkling of Irish. Their
general appearance indicated anything but con
tentment, and there seemed very little Of the
Corps d Esprit visible, which distinguishes our
volunteer military from the regulars. Every
movement indicated druggery, druggery, drug
! gerry, and | could form no other opinion than
that every man would have exchanged the mus
ket for the spade, had the choice been proffered.
The cramento Rangers, Capt. De Merritt have
| only occupied this encampment few days, as was
plain from the loose way they now mess They
are under tents. themselves, while their horses
have excellent accommodations and shelter in
! the stalls ranging through the south side of the
| Park. Their culinary department., too was of the
primitive order. Beans being cooked in
Dutch ovens. and bacon and potatoes stewed in
iron pots standing across small pits about the
| width and length of 4 grave which were eXcavat-
ed about one foot deep. When one kept his eye
confined especially to the dishes, they looked
| tempting, but the least notice drawn from thence
to the dirty looking cook, took away the appetite
in an instant. The Rangers number 81. and are
| all present excepting who is still doing Pro-
vost duty in San Francisco. They look very
rugged which in the main may be attributed to
their horseback exercise But, as with the in
tantry, there appears little military pride
! zeal left in the ranks. The fact that the com
PAW enlisted with the expectation of going into
active service in Texas. and meeting with dsap-
pointmcnt in this has contributed greatly towards
their dismal appearance Besides. it is said that
their commanding officer is not as earnest as he
might be in maintaining the fellow-feelins which
attaches officers and privates Some of the non
commissioned officers have been broken and plac
ed in the ranks through his efforts. The company
was recruited in this city b De Merritt, who was
cerv firms. and for \ short lime subsequently a
clerk in the post office; his men are all saerac
steady young mechanics and clerks The service
OF camp-life has, Judge. soltened most of their
boy
~ DEMOCRAT ORGAN.
Sacramento. as YOU have already been authoritve-
and prominent among them is that it will give
'he people OF ,he STATE the general news ulsroo-
the press of this city at present Besides there
Is room mere Tor good printer, ana the San
Sacramento, indicates sensible move. The new