Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-01-13
The Delaware Regiments.

nc OCAhWd4o 2okAhOntss
Through the kindness of Rt. Rev. Bishop |
LEE Of this Diocese, We are permitted 10
publish in the Journal and Statesman, the
following interesting letter from the Rev.
b. Franklin -
Potomac Run TELEaRApn STATION
NEAR FALMOUTH, Jan, 8, 1868.
The Rt Rev. ALFRED LIRE, d. b., Whining ON.
Delaware.
RI. REV. AND DEAR SIR
| am now on my
return from the army Of the Potomac, and while
waiting for the train will inform you or what l
have done since saw you last. First you will
no doubt be glad to learn that our noble lst aud
2J Delaware Regiments are in much better con
| ditition than was feared when left home. The
sick and wounded have been sent to hospitals at
Washington, and the we'll have received supplies
in clothing. The First need pickles aud onions
to check O slightly preceptihle tendency to
seuryy; and the Second want few Hospital
stores which will endeavor to procure in Wash
ngton and have sent to them. Both regiments
we're glad to see me. The officers Of the ID
whom l had not previously known were very
Q rdial when told them was from Delaware
and the Chaplain, the Rev. Mr.. Condron of vii
mngton, was particularly attentive. | found
him an exceedingly agreeable person, He came
the next day. Sunday, to Burnsle's Ileadqunr-
Iera whore was staying with one of his staff,
aud aided me in the responses at the service we
held there
had previously found the 1st Delaware Regi-
ment after much hard riding, and many deiours
When ! rode up into the camp, | did not see u
familiar face, but Lieut. Eocles came out Of
u "hurrow," and when he saw me seized my
haud with shout Of welcome, and gave it a
> shake which might have unseated an unexperi-
, rnced horsemAn. Soon the "New Castle hOys,"
gathered round from all directions, and was
repaid in n moment for all the cost and trouble
: of the journey, by the delight it evidently gave
e the oldiers to see q familiar face at home. My
horse was taken md | was soon enjoying the
hoapitalites of the regiment ia one OF the nnn.
+ sions in 81. street. The mansion was about siS
e feet square, the floor of earth and about tive
feet below ground. The sides were logs and
dried mud, and tho top was "shelter tent
u Tie furniture consisted of centre log running
l. through the middle Of the structure about higl
n enough from the ground to make comfortabl,
seat On that as many as could sRt before th
IS nice fire place, dug at the side, in which wsr
Y blazing some nice Virginia pine wood Haviul
N taken "hard tack" luncheon and drink from
the Orderly Sergeant Challenger's canteen,
u felt quite refreshed.
/ The Rev Mr.. Murphy, the Chaplain, 300
m came in and with him | took the tour of tn
camp. It was interesting to see the skill an
: ingenuity with which the men had provided TO
D their comfort. Logs and Virginia clay mad
al nice warm walls, and q canvas roof is not TO h
\ scorned. Most of our men are more warml
" quartered than Gen Burnside himself, for be ha
I'd only a tent Of canvass above ground On
Ie "mess" had complete hut, with an exceller
- fire place and chimney, and glass front doo
- Another had built brick fire place and flue,
sr nicely and neatly as mason vt home could d
NJ it, His materials were old bricks aud Virgin
-, mud
=, On leaving the encampment the Chaplain WI
Is urgent that should spend Sunday with the
It but having promised to ofliciate at Hendquarte
"A in the morning could only be with them in Ii
afternoon. After morning service MIR. COndro
IN and myself rode over but he took me by wht
lg he called the "short cuts that he had learne
if while dodgiDg the enemy's shells in going fr0l
point TO point" | think his w0y was longS
III than the straight road for we certainly were la
ne Ia getting at camp The men turned out
se Dldsse. | never before at any military servit
had an empty camp for back ground, with Il
whole regiment standing in lines before it. I'll
OF dampness Of the ground tho lAteness Of the hou
no and the standing position of the men made
necessary for me to be brief. Mr.. Murphy ga,
out a hymn Mr.. Condron read the lesson, al
We | used prayers from the evening service. Ait,
of that preached TO the men. As to it's etfei
upon the men, God aud their own wills can onl
l. determine that; but upon myself it Was such as
ry seldom if ever, have felt They seemed to n
lie like men VINO hau Just stoOd before deaths jaw
and might before we ever met again fall 10 tigh
III or waste away with disease. No man under sue
J. circumstances, at least none whose heart Chri
p indwells, could help feeling glow of enthus
. astic sympathy for man and great thankfulne
e. to God. Under those emotions l preached
them 1t was 30 late after service that WI
ds obliged to leave at once lest should lose ~
way in returning. The officers and soldie
" hocked around to see us off. | left them wi
is what had 10 give "a blessing" and they par
I'M ed with us, with evidently pleasant thoughts
H. the visits and the services l am sorry il wi
10 not practicable 10 have religious service vii
n the % Delaware Regiment to which the Char
NJ lain invited me.
=, This letter has grown to unexpectedly lar,
dimensions. II sat your disposal in all respect
ak Very sincerely yours,
as d. FRANKLIN.