Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1862-01-14
ARMY LET IERS.
Correspondence Of the star 4 Chrouiele.I
From the Linn Rides.
STEAMSHIP "CossAcK,' opposite ]
Annapolis, Jan. !, le62. J

ting that we were then preparing Tor dc
rarlure. Things remained In s'ata qH1
last week, and the mex; Sunday was spent
in the same way. This time our orders
were positive. All Saturday night ard
Sunday you would have heard The sound
Of The hammer aud saw. Ii showed slIght-
ly on Saturday night, and on Sunday 1t
was pretty cold. In the forenoon Of Sunday
we were out practicius loading and firing
until our cartridges were exhausted. We
were then ordered to draw ball cartridges
and see that every man had 40 rounds,
Then about o'clock came orders TO sign
cur pay rolls, and by 8 o'clock our regi-
mcut was paid off, each man receiving
two months wages, $40. Late iu the af-
teruoon we drew three days rations, aud
the cooks were nearly all night, Sunday,
cooking them. 1t was a wild looking
uight-snowing and sleeting--camp fires
burning, pots boiling, cooks with the
wieri lock the fire light gave them, men
in the best spirits, officers busy nearly all
night making up express packages for the
man to send their money SO that you
see our Sunday was crowded full.
Monday morning saw US up briskly.
Oar camp looked very beautiful. 1t was
very beautiful before the snow, bu. this
morning it looked lovely, and we looked
over it with atfeetionate eyes. 1t was our
home for six happy weeks. We had made
friends even with the ground moles that
burrowed under our tents. Tents were
struck-d0wn went our shrub5ery. 1t was
wonderful what amount of rubbish had
collected in the short time We were there
at housekeeping. Boxes, barrels, tin cans,
indications Of the kindness of our friends,
all went into the toufres. The general
beat, the Band played Dixie, and We mar
ched, casting a look over the desolated
camp ground as we passed. The scaven-
gers were there-white and black, picking g
upthe odd ends of things left. No,hwith-
standing We threw a good many things
away, forty rounds of cartridges, and your
whole stock Of valuablcs on your b ack,
made heavy load every man looked
Ike wandering tin-shop or Jew clothing
store. 1t was so cold that the head Of the
baud drum burst across the middle.
When we got to the centre square, four
companies filed of to the right, down to
the city wharf to embark on the "Scout,'
a sailing vessel, under command 0. LtCol.
Bell, carrying with them the flags Of the
old Penusy y,vania Fourth. The Dew flag
went with our six companies. l must
mention we carry three flags, two Of the
old Fourth, one, new, presented at Harris,
burg by Gov. Curtin. . You may infer
what We mean to do, when We dare TO car
ry .ha. old Gag. | consider it q happiness,
that in line of battle those flags float d.
rectly over my own head. Six companies
were embarked on board the "Cossack"
without delay. We had not one drunken
man in the regiment, and but one man un-
accounted for. We are now ready, except
embarking the horses Of the staff We
are ahead Of any other regiment in the
brigade, though third in starting. Last
week We had brigade drill and did ad-
mirably. As We came to the field, We
were closed in mass, and wheeled in mag
uiGcent style. Closed in mass, the whole
regiment moves at once. Gen. Reno COM
p'lmehted our regimeutas having executed
the firing better than any on the field.
Our steamer, the "Cossack," was formerly
the eastern Queen" an Ocean Steamer,
about 800 feet long, and 60 wide. 1t is
very finely fitted up with berths. The Ia
dies parlor, as it was when ladies used it,
is occupied by the officers. 1t is a beau /
tiful sight on deck o-uight-moon-lit, the
dark waves dancing gaiiy-tho harbor full P
Of black hulled steamers and ships-the .
signal lights aloft-the bright light Of the
lighthouse above its white shaft, the
shores picturesque-th tOwn-opposite
The light house the British ship Imolite,
il Armstrong guns-I can't paint or pic
u-e the scene.
Tomorrow we sail may be able to
ell you where, Some weeks hence. Con-
ecture5 are useless We are all making
sbat We consider sbrewd guesses. We
endezvous at Old Point Comfort, where
be naval part Of the expedition is now
ying. The idea that we stop shor. of
Ome far southern port seems to me alb
urd. Our own Company sent home over
1900. | should have liked to describe
be scene in Annapolis on Monday, but {
begsars description. The poor shopkee- J
ers were utterly demented. Money float. /
4 around loOsely-l5 or 20 regiments 9
aid two months wages. But have not c
me to write more. J. NJ. l.. q
From Port Royal, S. C. t
FoRT SEWARD, S. c., Jan. ., 1862. II