Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-12-05
Letter from FIrat Delaware Regiment.
LETTER No. "a.
CANT NEAr FALMOUTH, Va,
MONDAY NIgur. Nov ID. ls61

bAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA
MONDAY NIGHr, Nov %, 1862,
Friend EcKEL:
During our military service,
often has the thought insinuattd itself tlnl there
was rare vein of poetry running through the
campaigning life, cropping out in irregular spots,
and the minds of which little attention could
deyelope to the satisfaction of the Investigator.
Poetry is seen in the "pomp and circumstance, II
and streak Of it goes straight through nearly
every march aud halt
The poetic aspect is derived from the "mar-
shalng hosts" from the moving columns Of
men treading the enemy's country from bright
bayouets which shine from some narrow pass, as
the sturdy bearers press on FROM the ''grim dogs
of war which travel aloug, really to indulge iu
their terrifj bark; from hrigades Of cavalry
with firmly seated riders, prancing horses AMI
cankng sabres. Aud is there not room for i'm
agination, for emotion, an exalted state Of feel
ing and is there not the true essence Of poetry
itself in large military enctmpment by night
Does not one feel moved to overlook the scene pre-
sented Behold the thousand dimly lighted
teuts covering hill slopes and valleys as far as
the eye can reach The many fires everywhere
intersperzed, looking like bright spots on dark
surface, with the blue smoke curling upwards Ia
the stGrlt heavens, disclose the moving forms Of
men to animate the picture. and by tho blaze,
illuminate it, impartiDg richer glow The hum
Of voices is heard from all sides songs. laugh
ter. merriment and general discussions mingle
eoufu=edly together and lead one to the belief
that soldiers are not unhappy men, but that they
have enough philosophy or patriotism or feel the
Inspirations of the romantic scene sufficiently Ii
make them content.
We experience an air of poetry--and some
times chilly one.-in sleeping on the ground
with no tent but the vault Of heaven over us. will
our feet 10 the FIRE in looking upon the group.
OF men sitting upon logs by tie night ires--u
pciuresqueness which charms the eyes. po-
etc sensation, not running to versifeation.
Springs up in the bosom in bebolding the con.
stanily changing scenes OF march; the shifting
landscapes OF hllanl dale, wooden tracts farm.
ing land and waste4 with their streams, Pastoral
views and wild spots. Aud in fine, there is even
the habiliment of poetry investing Government
crackers, it you, by courtesy, besiow upon them
the silret brerches designation of "Zouaye
pies = but strip them of that dress, and give
them the bare name Of 81 hard tack" there is n
hard reality about them that is made sensible 10
bad teeth and him of ericurean taste.
Such is one phase Of campaigning We wont
say anything about the other phase--the reality
We wont allude to the truth OF long marches, in D..
element weather, disagreeable proximity with
the rebs to the effect of fat pork and hard brend
upon the gastronomic powers to the deprivation
of mnce and pumpkin pies, which tradition SAYS
used to be produced at this season of the year
and of sausages and buckwheat cakes which cold
weather reminds us Of.
A few days of comparative inaction here
stirred only by some picketing aud inspections,
with tue scenes presented by the encampment
of a large body of soldiers, originated the sue
gestions; but Tomorrow, there is probability
we will resume a more active course. Certain
preparations have been completed. and orders
have been received that the men pro vide them
selves with two days rations and sixty rounds Of
cartridges. This is On index of something has
reference to some military plans to be executed.
BILLY.