Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-01-26
ROCKY MOUNT. N. c., Jan. 10.


Mr.. EDuoR:-Thinking that short
mlsslve might be of interest to some of
your numerous readers, especially to those
WHO have friends in the 56th N. G. T., I
take occasion t. give them few items as
to our whereabouts, aud the condition of
our noble and worthy soldiers.
Up to the 4th inst, our regiment spent
the last two months at, and 10 the yiciaitv
OF franklin Depot, Va, the latter part of
"hieh time Gen. Roger A. Pryor took
command of the various regiments on the
Blackwater, which were not regularly
brigaded. 10 consequence of our small
force at that point, our guard duty at out
posts was worry heavy, the men having 10
stand two days and nights in succession.
On the 3rd inst, we received orders to
''pack up" ready to move next morning
at day light. All were filled with anxiety
to know IN what direction We would u, We,
and what was to be done. Many prcdic-
ted that an advance on Suffolk was inten-
ded, while others thought only foraging
expedition was to be made. Early next
morning (the 4th) our regiment was forms
ed and marched to the Depot a train was
there ready to receive US, baggage aud
men were soon aboard, and the engines
whistle announced that North Carolina
was our destination All hearts seemed
to De filled with gladness at the thought
of reaching once more our good old native
State. We arrived at Rocky Mount,
which rs forty miles from Weldon, and
about the same distance from Goldsboro',
at 5 o'clock p. M, pitched our tents, and
still remain waiting further orders. Both
officers and men seem to be greatly cha
grined, that they were not taken at once TO
meet the vile myrmidons who are accumu-
lating on our coast to devastate the prop
erty of innocent and peaceabe citizens.
!, The health Of our regiment is excellent,
and am happy to say that it cannot be
attributed to the good effect that whiskey
Is said, by some, to have among soldiers,
for they have been unable, Tor some
: mouths past, to procure even enough to
a0et one end Of their aohistle.-
Since our arrival here, regiments have
: been coming in almost daily, but probably
it would not be prudent to say anything
respecting our force at this point; suffice
it to say, that within very few days our
strength will be quite sufficient to meet
any demonstration that Gen. Foster, or an
other General of bis creed may see proper
e to make In this direction. [ have every
/ reason to believe, that when an opportuni-
e ty offers, the 56th will do credit to ITSELF
r and the State from which it halls. AL
}. though our men have been badly treated
d by some of the officials in the Quarter
l. masters Department, l believe they are
d yet awake to their duty and interest, and
l. are willing to forego all the comforts OF
s. home, if they are supplied with the neces-
1t sary clothing to keep them comfortable
u while undergoing the hardships of camp
IL life. Some of our companies have no
e received more than thirty pairs of shoes
from the Quartermaster's Department aue
they have been In service eight months
thus leaving many entirely shoeless. Anc
they have been SO for several weeks, spit
ting the snow and mud on the march
m and those who have them have been for,n-
of nate enough to get them from home. Th
y. fair sex at home, ever full of devotion t
to our cause, have exhibited extraordinar
q patriotism in providing for the wants .
CT those in the feld. May they never b
:. found lecreant to their task while the ty-
' le rants heel is found ready to oppress US
~ The same mi ht be said in regard to th
no pay of the men, but | am not fault-fndin
'e and | forbear at present. 1t is evidcn
>, that the fault lies in some one, but i
~ ~ whom can't say. | humbly hope tia
: our Quartermasters will use little NOR
:. .. energy IN procuring the necessary sup
: : plies for our troops; it would have cheer
= ing effect on the men, an would max
- them feel that some interest was taken
a. ~ their welfare and comfort.
~ Feeling thankful to God for the man
y. glorious victories that He has given l
- - during the past year, humbly invoke FL
fnI blessings on our army in the year 1856
= - and may it bring forth more glorioos r,
- suits than that which is now reckoned
+ the calendar of the past. Ta
90 s MILTON,
10 ~ a~f Coz, 56th N. G. T.