The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-01-30
Our Army correspondence.
FIFTY-FoURTH PENNA. VOLS.

Correspondence of The Alleghanian.
A most consoling event has transpired
in Camp Curtin to-day, tending somewhat
to relieve the monotony of camp-life.-
One of Uncle Sans agents has visited US,
and we are now revelling in the possession
of numerous Treasury Notes. Did you
ever witness a fox chase, and see pack
Of lean, lank hounds speeding after ''Rey-
nard," with loud howls of delight as they
closed in upon their prey? If SO you
then can form a faint idea of the scene OF
axcitementwe witnessed here when the Pay
Master made his long wished-for appear
ance among us. 1t was, indeed, amusing
to see the various means the men took to
show their delight. Some Of the most
laughable of antics were performed, not
only by the beardless soldiers, but old grey
headed men, whom one would think had
seen enough of the world to be somewhat
philosophical and sensible, joined in the
sport. 1t seemed almost impossible for
the vast majority Of the men to wait pa
tiently until their turn came to be paid.
But at length the Pay Master concluded
his labors, and all the men have been paid
up to the first day of January, 1862.
The majority of the men in our Reg
iment have sent almost all of their money
home, reserving but u small portion for
themselves No doubt this will be decided
ly gratifying to the friends at home, who
very likely need the cash.
Harrisburg is now filed with soldiers,
who are spending considerable quantity
of their cash for liquors Of various kinds,
aud, in anticipation of some of them get
ting little obstreperous, Adjutant Jen-
ninSs has detailed large force from the
good old 54th to keep down any noisy
movements. You may depend upon it
they will settle the obtrepulous in "double
quick" And, by the way, let me say
that since our Regiment became known in
this camp, we have in. ariably been called
upon by Adjutant Jennings to settle any
difficulty that has occurred. At one time,
a number of men belonging to Regiment
which has since left Camp Curtin, became
incensed at the camp Sutler, and deter
mined to tear down his building, and, in
fact, had congregated for that purpose;
but sergeant's guard of the 54th soon
settled the matter. But for a long time,
fearing there might be an out break, cur
boys stood guard over the building, and
no harm was done it. For the last three
months, our men have been nightly de-
tailed to do patrol and "picket" duty,
and, as an evidence of how we'll they at
tend TO their duties, | merely mention the
fact that no other Regiment has been call
ed upon in similar capacity since we
have been here.
Composed, as our Regiment is, of stout,
hearty mountaineers, and the vast maj ior-
ity of them possessing very fair share of
education and intelligence, our men have
not only the muscle but the will and de-
termination to execute all orders given
them they are to be trusted with the
most responsible duties. l for one feel
far more confidence il an intelligent and
educated soldiery than in that class of men
who simply perform their duty because
they know nothing else. Soldiers in ac-
tive service should be machines, but in
teIligent machines. The reasoning and
observant soldier knows that success in
war depends upon the perfect working of
each and every part Of the grand machin-
cry of which an army is composed. He
feels that he is material portion Of the
army, and that without has aid the officers
can do nothing,-that he is a co-worker
with his officers, and that it is his duty
not to command bit to obey. With the
dull, stupid soldier this is not the case
He obeys because he has been taught,
perhaps by experience, that unless he
does so he will be punished. OF the for
mer class of men the grand army Of the
North is composed, and, with such, our
able generals must eventually conquer the
dupes Of Secession, notwithstanding their
masked batteries and boasted yaIor.-
Mingled with US are the lively, chivalrous
Irishmeu, who fight nobly, bravely, in any
of her hIl. their OWN native land th. starn