Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-04
From the FOrty-second.


Your correspondent has been indulging in
most unusual luxury for supper, viz: Il slice
of bread and Jutte7-and so he feels like
writing a few lines for the Spy, paper which
is welcomed with joy away down here in
Louisiana. We have nothing exciting here.
We are not troubled with rebels, nor with ru-
mors of battles. We lay ourselves down at
at night with our knapsacks for pillows, and
sleep away the hours till morning, without
dreaming, even, of danger. But during the
day we are constantly busy in preparing for
any emergency by close drilling. In the
morning we have dress parade, then follows
battalion drill until noon. AT half past one
there is a daily inspection of qualities at two,
company drills until half past three, then
guard mounting This, together with the or
binary and necessary daily work of Il soldier,
such as cleaning guns, equipments, &c, keeps
us busy most of the time. In the course of
three months we shall be prepared to make Il
credtable appearance at general review.
With our smooth-bore musketS we shall also
be apt to f-ightea the rebels somewhat, if we
get near enough to them. But if they hap
pen to have good rifles, which is usually the
case, they will probably pick us all off before
we get near enough But as our boys phil
osophically remark sit is all for the Union"
The arrival of the Shetucket, an event
which you have probably noticed, was hailed
with immense enthusiasm by the regiment. A
passage of forty-tlCO days had prepared them
to ENJOY camp life as heartily as their prede-
cessors. The well-known face of Maj. Stiles,
Raae tie eas q Of f IFS hing It biz AfQNml Az INV
life, and cheer upon cheer went up from the
battalion as the last ones of the regiment filed
| past it. The greetings were most cordial on
all sides. But we have been united but a
short time, tor Cos. G and ii have gone up
the river about three miles under COM
mand of the engineers department, for the
purpose of taking charge of the erection Of a
parapet to be constructed from the river to
lake Ponchartrain. The work has been in
progress for some tIme but is now to be push
ed forward to completion as fast as possible,
and for this purpose some three thousand ne
groes are to be sent up there Immediately, Il
large number of whom are already on the
spot. There are indications now that the re-
mainder of the companies will soon be sepa-
rated, though it is not at all improbable that
the entire battalion may be ordered to New
Orleans to serve as patrol guard. Capt Da-
Wis of Co. X and Lieut.. Powers of Co. + have
already been detailed on provost duty in that
city, which gives color to the supposition that
we may all go there. The boys do not seem
to object to the idea, and expect pretty COM
Portable life. We have been ordered to be
supplied at once with complete outfit, con-
sisting of two pairs of drawers, two shirts,
two pairs stockings, and two pairs of pants,
the latter order being indicative OF duty where
respectable appearance is requisite.
Quite Il little stir was created in company
Els quarters, Thursday, caused by the arrest
of your correspondent by Captain Cogswell,
officer Of the day, by order of the Colonel,
supposed to be for the offence of writing the
communication from Philadelphia, while the
Charles Osgood was at that port, and which
was published, think, in the Spy of January
I'd; said communication referred to Etwhisky
ration which was dealt out to the men, as
was thought at the time, to quiet the clamur,
and which has given umbrage to some of the
officers. Your correspondent is therefore re-
lieyed from all camp duty, and has the privil-
eye of the company street. There being no
confinement connected with the arrest, and
no disgrace attached to the act, whatever NAV
be the result, | am not disposed to lose my
spirits over the affair. As there have been
several arrests to-day, another non-commis-
stoned officer in the lot, court martial may
be convened for the purpose of bringing the |
cases to a speedy trial. | shall endeavor to
give the result, if Il correspondent is allowed |
to write the truth.
Three companies of the fftieth Massachu.
sets regiment arrived here yesterday, on IL
barque, from Hilton Head. The regiment
in which is the Emmett Guards-is stationed |
at Baton Rouge, and these companies are to |
report there. Other regiments arrived at the |
same time, but what they we're |. have been |
unable to learn. They are going up the river.
Our regiment is now without either state or
national colors, the color company having |
been taken prisoners. Without coors to raj |
ly around, a regiment is almost without a
head, and being in this condition, it has been
suggested by many the officers of the regi |
ment included in the number, that perhaps |
the friends of company +, which is near the
color company, might do the handsome thing, |
by presenting Il set of coors to the splendid |
company which Leicester, Brookfeld and |
Spencer have united in sending into the field. |
1t would inspire their hearts with a new zeal |
and the cause in which they are engaged, and
the act would show that they were remember
ed at home. As there can be no expectation |
that the state will provide second stand of |
colors, this seems to be the only method left |
by which to procure them.
IA The climate is beginning to tell upon the
regiment large number are reported upon
the sick list daily, mostly from complaints in
cident to so great a change in our life. Diar-
rhea, dysentery, and rheumatism, prevail very
extensively, but it is cause of rejoicing that
we have no serious cases as yet. Not a death
has occurred in the regiment since its organ
lzatlon IN September last, which speaks vol
umes for its excellent sanitary regulation.
Owing to the illness of DIR. Hitchcock, assist
ant surgeon, DIR. Wood, the efficient hospital
steward, has entire charge of the hospital ar
and he has his hands full. And
that reminds me to relate Il little sketch of red
tapeism (though it may not be according to
During the recent cold snap here, it was