Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-26
Gbe aaig Spy dQusr aatonesOap Mlurning gub g. 1882

management, which packed human beings
even worse than cattle ought to be packed !;
but there was nothing to do but make the best
of it, and so the men laid down on the water
1t was only by main force that all the officers
secured state rooms. The woody headed
steward didn't intend to open them, but after
one or two doors had been smashed in, he
thought better of it, and concluded best to
show little attention to his guests.
1t was three o'clock Saturday morning be-
fore our boat started, owing to a dense fog
which had settled over the sound, and it was
about ten o'clock when we reached Williams
burg, N. Y, where we were to land. No or
ders for proceeding having been received,
Col. Burrill went over to New York for fur
Their directions, but Gen. Banks was not to be
found, and so we remained on board until five
CLOCK P. NJ, when the good folks of Williams
burg, or somebody else, had prepared a ra-
ton of coffee, bread and cheese, which we
devoured rapidly and with excellent appe-
tites. A march of eight miles with knapsacks
followed, to the camp. We started from
Williamsburg at 6 O'clock and soon after we
had accomplished the eight miles-a feat
which we consider good one, considering
our greenness. A lunch and a bivouac under
a long range of horse sheds followed. The
night was cold one, and the boys had to lie
close in order to keep decently comfortable
This Sunday morning we marched to our
camp and pitched tents.
We are located on piece of rising ground
which is nearly west of the famous Union
trotting course, and separated from it only by
the Brooklyn and Jamaica railroad, while on
the east, about mile distant is the equally
celebrated Centreville trotting park Both
parks are now full of troops destined for Gen.
Banks expedition, while thousands of New
England's gallant boys are scattered around
the entire section. There are probably not
less than 10000 soldiers in camp hereabouts
The 42d, 50th, and sd Massachusetts, and
l6lst New York regiments all arrived yester-
day, and all in the afternoon, making the
scene martial as well as busy one.
We have been busy all the time, getting
things comfortable for our stay here. We
don't expect to remain long, for the transports
are said to be nearly ready for our embarka.
ton, and the general opinion seems to be that
we shall depart this week, certain, and prob
ably within few days. We are ready and
willing to go. This country is too cold for a
comfortable tent life, even with six of us in
each tent, set up edgewise, as we are obliged
to live. We are slowed away so thick, that
when one turns over, all are obliged to. All
must go together.
With nothing but fast trotters with which to
gain livelihood, you can imagine the general
character of the inhabitants in this section
Whiskey shops, and big hotels with enormous
stable accommodations, abound. Dutchmen
also abound. So do pedlers; likewise fast
men. Ladies don't. Hardly one that an
swers the description has been seen. But
such is soldiers life. and we are getting to
be veterans very fast, only those knapsacks
do make ones shoulders ache immensely.
| Well, here we are, and we want to hear
from home hugely. The genial and ever well
come face of T. W. Wellington, Esq, has
already greeted us, and more of such visitors
would be cordially received. Letters and pa
pers cannot be sent too freely. Direct them
to ''Union Course, Jamaica, Long Island, 8
with the letter of the company and the number
of the regiment, and we shall get the desired
articles. If anybody visits us, let them take
the Jamaica cars at Brooklyn, New York, and
for ten cents they will be left at the camp.
Hoping to write again from this place, and
in less haste, l remain, yours. E.