Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-09-05
Letter from thc sunbury Guards.
KEY WEsr, Fla, August 20. 1863.

KEr WEsr, Fla, August 20, 1868.
DEAR WmvERT ;--Thanksgiving, or the
day set apart by the President for prayer
| and to return thanks to Him who has the
control of battles, was properly observed by
the Army aud Navy at this place. The
proclamation of the President was read
from the pulpits OF the different churchss on
the Sunday evening previous, and invitation
extended to all who wished to participate
in the services on that occasion. General
Woodbury. issue circular requesting all
of his command to observe the day in q
becoming manner and to attend Divine
service at their usual places of worship
He ordered that all drills and policing
should be dispensed with, so that the men
were at liberty to spend the day as their
feelings best dictated. The invitation of
the Clergy was accepted, and the Military,
by companies attended church. Company
G, headed by Captain Goblin and Lieutenant
Oyster, marched to the Episcopal church,
where an eloquent discourse was delivered
by the Rev. DR.. Hcrrick, but owing to the
great crowd many were compelled to retire.
thus losing an intellectual treat that would
have benefited them more than the mere
listening to common sermon. The Revcr-
end gentleman of this church has been very
kind to our regiment in reserving seats tor
their accommodation. One act of his speaks
for itself, viz: on our arrival here he adj
dressed note to the Colonel of the 41th,
inviting the officers and men to attend the
services at st. Marks church, and mentioned
particularly that the seats were free.
On the Saturday following Thanksgiving
a Yacht race came off on the waters between
Sand Key Light House and Key West
Some thirty boats were entered. Boats of
all kinds, from Captains gig to thirty or
forty ton schooner. The wind was fnc and
splendid day they had for the purpose
Each boat had flag that it might be known,
and as they moved off, the fleet made a
grand display. From the ramparts of Fort
Taylor the sight was magnificent, for from
that point one had a full view, and an op-
portunity Afforded of following the different
parties, with the eye, until they gained the
turning point and their return to the start
ing ground. 4 steam tug followed the party,
having on board ladies, the committee and
guests, who had jolly time of it, and an
opportunity of tripping the light, fantastic
toe to the fine music of the 41th Band
lead by that excellent musician, Prof. Bush.
Quartcrmaster Locks schooner "Nonparicl"
won the raccout distancing all its comreti-
tors OF that fact / was certain, for how
else could it be, when its name belongs to
the 'art, prcservative of all arts"-printing.
Last Wednesday brought two-thirtls of
the three years" of the "Sunhury Guards
to Il close, when Lieut. Rccs surprised the
boys, agreeably. ay giving them an enter
tainmunt. In this the Lieut., took the start
Of the other officers of the company. lut us
all joined in devouring the good things
furnished. every one was in a good humof
and satisfied, 10 matter who was the caterer
for the occasion. Company { is blessed
with good otlcCrs-mCn who do, as they
wish t. be done by. This little celebration
had good effect, for if there was any mis-
understanding. previously, it is now settled.
and no better conducted or well regulated
family, where good feeling are exhibited.
can Ire found among the soldiers of Uncle
Sam. Our company is slightly cnvied on
account of their good grab but for this the
boys should not be blamed, for Goblin, who
has charge of the company savings, is CON
tinually hunting the market for the best il
affords, and Sergeant Piers and johnny
| Noonsch serve it up in their best style, prov
| ing To others that soldiers can, if they good
cooks, live as well as any ''other man."
The nomination OF Governor Curtin for
"e-clcciior was well received, and if they
! had the rjyht to vote there would be no ieal
vi tuc ucAl Clllcl AiSlSlTdlc III IcllusN wanna
being II copperhead. The decision of Judge
WoodwNrd, depriving the soldier Of vote
| is looked upon as II bride for not rc-enl:st
ing and indeed it is, for does it not give
the bounty of the right of suffrage to every
electOr who stays at home! The voting
men of the Attn Regiment, Pennsylvania
! Volunteers, are as Il unit for the reelection
! of Andrew q. Curtin.
| Blockade running is nearly played out
and is confined to Mobile and Wilmington
| y. G. Very few vessels of this sort are
brought into this port at present, owing tc
| the strict watch that is kept on the above
named places; however, Il day or two ago
| the L. 5. Steamer De Soto brought in two
very large river steamers laden with cotton
| The cotton is being transferred to other
! vessels and will soon be sent North, where
| it will be put in market Tor sale.
| One of the houses belonging to the Engi
ncer Department was entirely destroyed b!
fire on last Thursday. 1t was occupied h!
the laborers rs a sleeping apartment How
| the lire originated is unknown, but it il
supposed to have caught from tobacco pip'
of one of the men, or from spark of tht
| locomotive that is used in hauling matcria
for the outside works ut Fort Taylor. Th'
boys are all very well and in fine spirits, onl.
II Httie more active life. and occasona
brush with the enemy, they think, woulc
give them better appetite and enable then
to enjoy the rations Furnished 10y GovcIn
ment. With respect to friends, all in TIN
office, yourself and family, l remain, yours
Fraternally, H. ID. w.