The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-07-29

CAMP NEAR CHAMBERsBURG. Pa,

FRIEND, Nc: Perchance some of our
Potter friends would be pleased to know
the whereabouts Of the late army yolun-
teers from Potter.
First, we all regret that we had not
men enough to hold company organ
igation, and are therefore enlisted In diff
ferent Regiments. There were 81 men,
the minimum number for company but
We came in three squads, and for some
reason few of the number failed to re-
port themselves at Camp Curtin at the
appointed time. We held an election Of
officers hoping to fill up. But there were
too many companies trying to Eli up, and
the bounties offered by Infantry was a
strong argument to men who were not yet
mustered in. The Cavalry had a double
advantage, for they not only offered boun-
ty, but the idea of transforming onss-self
into pack-horse upon muddy roads, for
the Infantry is but little less il hot days,
fails to entrap the comfort loving soul
and is not apt in catching the aspirations
of youthful minds when Cagalry with
complete equippage is constantly galiop-
ing past. Hence our numbers grew less
rather than greater. -,. ..r e....f Fl
With US you will regret this, yet be
not hassy in casting reflections upon the
men in camp. We had to borrow cups,
spoons, etc, every meal, and bad was be-
coming worse. In this dilemma it seemed
that We could render our country greater
service and still be credited to Potter
county, by ''squading" in companies then
under marching orders. This we did on
Thursday the 9th inst, and the same day
were put aboard a train bound for Ship
pensburg We are in the 37th Reg't P.
V. NJ, Is, mostly from the north part of
the county, are in Co. K 10 from Whar-
ton; 2 from COudersport, and the sub
scriber, from Sweden, are in Co G, of
Williamsport, under Capt. T. Bennett; !;
ii are in Co. Z, 47th Reg't. Others are
enlisted, but do not know where.
That some failed to report themselves
is serious misfortune, but | have not
seen them, and they may have good rea-
sons for their course
Greencastle, July Is. The above was
Interrupted by an order to march. Yes.
terday morning We started for Gettysburg
but were stopped 90 the way by orders to
report at this place. We turned our
course and arrived here at s o'clock PM.
We started at about 7 o'clok a. NJ. The
march was tiresome and many "fell out"
One poor fellow lay on a board pile by the
road side suffering intensely, as we passed,
attended by his fellows. We bear that
he died soon after.
Our tent chum, NJ. S. Thompson, was
slightly indisposed, and as the march was
making rather too heavy drafts upon his
muscle, We left him in the care of kind
old lad dy to come on at his leisure. Con-
sequently Ed. Lyman and myself bunked
alone last night for the first time, and for
the first time we in company with thou
sands of others were witness to a camp
joke. T. e. we went to bed on dry land and
walked up in the water. One result of
this is that many of the men are huddling
around the fires, but in such position
that they arc peculiarly unlikely to iDjure
their eyes by the said fire.
Our ears are often saluted by the boom
ing of cannon, reminding US that we may
render the old Keystone important SER
vice before returning home. There are
about 10000 militia encamped here, most
of whom, unless ordered away, will have
tents before night. ....
The kind ladies of Cbambesrburg
placed pals and tubs of cool water upon
convenient places for the use of the pas
sing soldiers The benevolence and pat.
riotism of the fair ones still unexhausted,
they came to the side walks with many a
dish Of dainties and subs!antials One
old copperhead removed tie chain from
his pump when a few Regiments camped
near him. Chicken soups abounded next
day My chum, Ed. reminds me that
waking up with wet back is far from
being his first or most serious camp joke. |
Rations &C., are issued regularly, and
we have no fault to End save that we have
muskets instead of rifles to shoot with.
IL u