Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-29
GNOttester Dailp Spp

correspondence OF the worcester spy.
The Banks ExpeditiOn-The 42d Regf-
ment-GenerOus H0sPitaIIty--DeIays
ana DtsappOintments.
On BOARD PROPELLER CHARLES OseooD,l
OFF SANDY HOOK, Dec. 8, 1862
Our regiment were all on board transports,
Wednesday night, and the boats came to an
Choir in the stream short distance from the
peir. We are now disposed of as follows :
Companies E (from Worcester) and X (from
Barre), are on board this boat; companies B,
(from Leicester) and on the Quincy; C
and II on the Shetucket and G, l and d on
the Saxon. The latter is the largest and
probably the best boat, though all are very
good ones, and have been fitted especially for
the service in which they are now engaged.
The Charles Osgood is about twelve years
old, and has just been thoroughly repaired
and reitted, and is in excellent order for her
voyage. When we first came on board there
were many rumors ahoat affecting her sea-
worthiness, but Capt. Geer, who is in COM
mand of her. has the utmost confidence in her
ability to carry much greater load than she
now has, and we all have perfect confidence
in his statements. With but two companies
on board we are very comfortably situated,
much more SO than any of us dared hope.
ALI have hunks in which to sleep, though we
are of course, slowed away closely. Three
sleep in each bunk and the hunks are Just
forty inches wide, which gives IL 1-3 inches
for each man. But everything else being IA
vorable we can get along with our sleeping
accommodations very comfortably.
The health of all on board is generally
good. Several have colds contracted on
board the first night in the stream, and two
or three are under the care of DR.. Wood
hospital steward, who is on board We con-
slider ourselves fortunate in having him as
signed to this boat, as the men have more
confidence in his skill, than they could have
in stranger. DIR. Wood is from Hardwick
and enlisted in the Barre company as a pri-
yate, from which position he was deservedly
promoted to his present position. Our ra-
tons, which are much better than we had at
Union Course, are cooked on board by COM
pany cooks. Lieut.. Harding of company X
is detached as commissary on this boat, and
Corp. L. II. White of company x is detached
by Lieut.. IL. commissary sergeant, who is
also assisted by IL. L. Putnam OF company E..
upon the upper deck with astonishing steadi-
ness, and a great deal of water manages to
work down between decks and wet a large
number of us. The matches are not closed
tight for we can get no fresh air except
through them, and we had rather have some
water than no air.
In behalf of the regiment, and of the Wor-
cester County companies particularly, your
= correspondent desires to thank those PERSONAL
ly unknown friends in Brooklyn, who so gem
erousy and nobly provided for hundreds of
us while we renamed in this city waiting to
embark. Hundreds, wholly unknown to
them, were invited INTO private houses, as
they passed along the streets and were treat
ed in the kindest manner. The best of food
and rooms were placed at the soldiers dispos-
al, and they were invited to make themselves
entirely free with anything the houses afford
ed. Hundreds were thus provided with lodg-
ings in some of the finest private residences
in the city, and none but what had the oppor-
tunity to have all the food they desired. | am
glad that this generosity was not abused in
any instance that can learn. | cannot pre-
tend to give a list of all who thus SO nobly
provided for Massachusetts soldiers. l have
the names of three whom can make public,
and we all hope they may be remembered by
our friends at home and if the opportunity is
presented we hope their kindness may be re-
ciprocated. They are noble hearted men and
women. Mr.. VIM. Gilmore of 277 Hicks St.
opened his house freely to all who chose to
come in. He Is a native of New York, and
had no incentive to his generosity but pure
patriotism and genuine benevolence. He
keeps large livery stable and if any of our
friends ever visit that city we trust they may
not forget him. Geo. Lincoln, Esq, post
master Of the city, and native of Hardwick,
also gathered together all he could find and
provided for them the best his elegant man
sion afforded. Bathing rooms were opened
and all left his house refreshed and reinvigor-
ated. Mrs. VIM. Thorn, 81 Atlantic street,
opened her house to all the Massachusetts
boys and her hospitality was freely partalzen
Of Like many others she was guided solely
by her open hearted benevolence. There are
others equally as deserving of our thanks but
l cannot give their names. Our regiment will
remember its stay in Brooklyn with feelings
of the liveliest pleasure.