The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-02-13
letter from the sssEiver Grays.''
CAMP CURTIN, Ee6y. 10, 1862.


A camp may, with propriety, be termed a
world in miniature, in which all the pha-
ses of human character are exhibited-in
which good is separated from evil-vice
from virtue-kindness from misanthropy
in word, the opposites which struggle
for mastery in the soul of man here de-
velope themselves, and are made manifest
to the casual observer. A stern necessity
arises from this state of things, that law
and order be maintained, by the punish
meut of the violator of them. There are
peculiarites which belong to the kind of
chastisement and the manner OF its infio-
ton. incarceration is the general pun
! ishment meted out to the evil doer. a
restraint upon liberty-and a temporary
deprivation of food, have been found to
work admirably, in prev enting the III
! fringement Of the established rules Of the
camp. When these fail in accomplishing
the desired end, the more summary and
| degrading sentence, "to be drummed out
Of camp" is passed upon the prisoner
There are, however, lesser indictions for
lesser crimes. The particular mode de-
pends very much upon "the inventive ge-
MUS" of the commanding officer. I have
witnessed the condemned .'driveu on foot"
over the grounds, with an empty -four
barrel upon his head have seen others
marching from point to point, under the
direction ot guard, having their KNAPP
sacks, heavily loaded, strung upon their
backs. Notwithstanding all this, we have
the evil disposed among Us, who laugh at
the 'pains and penalties" of the law.
After having viewed the whole subject, [
| have como to the conclusion, that Camp
| is not the place to secure a reformation,
nor will sojourn in it make saints out of
| sinners.
The "Silver Grays" are getting along
swimmingly. Our location has not yet
been changed, but we are in daily expee-
tation Of receiving an order to march down
street and take charge of the Arsenal and
Public Stores The difficulty in the way
is, that the company now there cannot
move until the 54th Regiment, to which
it has been attached, leave for the seat Of
war.
For the first time since the entrance Of
the "Silver Grays" into Camp Curtin,
one of our members has been an occupant
of the Hospital. A few days ago, John
Murray, a private, formerly residing in
Johnstown, was taken to the retreat for
invalids. This building is within the
Camp enclosure, and is 50 constructed and
furnished as to afford every comfort pos
sible to its afflicted inmates. For clean
illness, it cannot be surpassed. It is a
credit to those who originated it, and to
those who preside over 1t.
The Hospital is attended by skilful
physicians, among whom l must particu-
.arize Surgeon Frow, having become some
what acquainted with him. In the Doc
tor, [ can easily discern the sympathizer
with the afflicted "a heart overlooking
with the milk of human Kindness "a
hand ever ready to minister to the wants
of those seeking his protecting care =
and thorough knowledge Of his profess
sion Were all the Surgeons in the Army
like unto Surgeon Frow, there would be
less suffering and fewer victims for the
stern destroyer, Death.
But the Government has not stopped at
this, in providing for the welfare of the
sick in Camp Curtin. The benevolent
and self-sacriGcing Sisters Of Mercy have
volunteered their services to soothe the
soldiers fevered brow, to offer the cooling
draught to his parched lips, and to confer
upon him all those attentions which wo-
man alone can suggest. Our sick COM
rade is nursed by these Servants Of Him
from whom proceedeth "eyery good and
perfect gift" His confidently expected
restoration will be another exemplifica-
ton of the triumphs of charity upon
earth.
Expectation is on tip-top, in reference
to the proposed "Keystone Naval Expe-
dition." The "Harrisburs Telegraph
OF this morning has the following, which
may be considered as foreshadowing the
result of Governor Curtin's praiseworthy