Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-01-16
Letter from First Delaware Regiment
LETTER no. SO.
CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, Va, l
Friday NIGHT, Jan. 2l, 1868. I

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, Va,
Friday NIGHT, Jan, u, 1868
FRIEND EcKEL;
IL was New Years night; dull
ness reigned supreme in camp; from log-hut
chinked with mud, from wedge and wall tent.
came no sound of mirth and merriment the
smoke from the squatty chimneys of sticks,
stones, brick or turf, curlel lnzily upwards the
sentinel paced mechanically 10 aud fro; the
moon diliused her benms over the cnnvnss cover
ed Wagons, stumps, pine brush and wood piles ;
officers and men sat in Ottoman style around
their primitive looking lire places, and thought
what queer place to welcome the New Year in I
The Commander high in authority over Reg
ments OF men, sat on cracked box in his tent,
smoking pipe, with his aids about him the
ire crnckled III the earGhen hearth the candle
burned on the improvlsed table he was musing (;
the endearments of home arose in his mind, with
a reminder that the fortune Of war stood rrinly
between him aud their enjoyments, he thought
OF the decease Of the old yenr anl m0rasei, aud
OF the advent OF the new which found us Bedouin
like, dwelling in tents, nwny almost from civil-
zati0n, a1d IN front ot the enemy he pictured to
hmself the geniality Of the day in the civil circle,
aud inally cone uded that it was meet and pro
per that MT least un attempt should be made
even under adverse circumstances to give the
New Year friendly grasp of the hand. bid il n
hearty welcome, with the expressed hope thut,
in it's progress, 1t might bring success to our
arms, aud peace TO our long distracted country.
Accordingly addressing his staff he tells them
the pckets have beeu strengthened aud all NOS
sibility of surprise by night attack guarded
against, and that it is deemed necessary to in
slitute some military cercmouias ia honor of the
year which has just been born 20 ~, for he has
faith to believe that in its growth it will advance
our cause. canse victory to peatch npon our
ballet pierced banners, mud revolution To cease
then advise them to gird On their armor, make IA
rapid decent upon the neighboring camps aud
bring in certain officers who might assist him in
his object; putting an thor swords and carrying
with them II columbiad In the shape of two
gallon demijohn, they started of on their raid.
We were quietly seated in tent with several
others, when oil OF II sudden, VS. heard the drag
giug of swords, and then the hurried remark.
"here they are" posting themselves in front,
they demanded our surrender seeing the for
midahle weapons, we nll gave in and suffered our
selves TO be regarded as pris0ners IL like descent
was made upon three other camps, where a be-
fitting reception wat to be given To the occasion
Ushered in the presence Of the august Com
inander, we looked around to find that the most
prominent object in the room was big water
bucket from which the steam. Hs Of warm water
was rising; this vessel was hanked by a number
OF lemons, while Il bottle stood in the rear, and
some glasses occupied n position in front all OF
which Major was employed in the decoclion
of something which is usually denominated
"Punch." The Aids now made their report to
the effect that they had implicitly followed his
directions; that they admired his strategy; had
made IN advance upon four camps, in dashing
style aud had brought of representatives from
each, without, losing man or firing the colum
biad Once. The gallant commander, in looking
around the assembage was well pcased with the
haul, for it embraced three Lieut. Colonies,
Majors the same number, Adiutants two, a brace
of Surgeons aud several Captains a General
was soon added to the list.
A motion was now made that Col. -. should be
called to the chair, here another double breasted
coat arose, protesting that no one should take the
chair, (which by the way, was piece Of fction)
while he himself was Obliged to sit on a keg
Notwithstanding these interruptions the meeting
was organised, and all exerted themselves to
make the socialties of the evening complete
the dscomforis Of position, the attendants Of war
were pushed aside, and their place taken by an
enjoyment ministered to by a chatty and soeiable
Toasts were in order one "to our absent
was drank in silence; Immediately
every mind reverted to the late field of Freder-