Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1863-11-20

]
ing, is it not Bah We have moth
ing else to talk about. This was quite
an episode give you the latest
news.
We marched past him Gen. Vog-
des) in review, in column by COM
panies, quick time, and then again IN
double quick. They say" we did
very well. He was ready now
to inspect our arms, and as he
commenced with Co. b., at the same
time commenced such a rain storm
as is seldom exceeded, even in this
country. Gen. Vogdes initiates
Napoleon. Wellington, etc. am sor-
~ to have 10 inform You that the
General was wringing wet when he
reached our company lie took things
very coolly, however. He smiled and
joked. and seemed in the best possi-
bic humor. Gen. Foster was with
him, but had on his oilcloth coat. l
don believe he even offered it TO
Nogdes. Gen. Nogdes is 'short and
chunky" and rode an exceedingly
woe -begone looking horse, Gothic
horse, in fact
Everybody had become wringing
wet, we all enjoyed it hugely. Whis-
Ky was then issued to tie men. And
just here, / wish you to decide n
question of morality Cor me. We
set n ration OF whisky for fatigue
duty, and when coming off day and
nights guard. never drink mine,
but have been in the habit OF siling
ii TO some comrade who asks lor II,
who believes it does him good, and
keeps him from being sick on this
sickly Island. Now, should / 90
this or not E. If | don't, | am the
dog in the manger, am mean,
am selfish" l believe that VIC have
five men in the company who do not
drink their rations of whisky.
| hold the honorable and response
ble position of secretary and treas
urer of mess No. >, Co. ~, 18th Ind.
+ Vols. The company is divided of
into two messcs. Capt. Daniel pre-
sides over our mess, and Lieut. Ram
F ier over mess No. /. Mess No. , is
much better regulated than No. l.
We have our rules and regulations
written out. -Four councilmen and
+ chief OF mess try all cases OF yio-
lations OF the rules. For swearing
at the table during meal hours, the
fine is generally % cts, etc. There
are 81 90 in the treasury at present.
f With this money we buy potatoes,
onions. butter, and such other things
as the mess sees lit to order. We
have two barrels OF potatoes now on
hands, and are living remarkably
well for soldiers. Enough ovens have
been erected on the Island TO supply
/ the whole OF the troops here with
light bread. ;iy order of Gen. Gil.
more, ii we do not use all the fations
we are allowed 10y the Government.
the price OF such rations is paid over
in cash to the company commanders,
who eXpend itror the benefit OF their
respective companies. When we
used to draw pilot bread, not much
more than the half OF our allowance
was used. The same is the case in
regard TO rice, split peas, and many
other things.
General orders from yoedes re-
quire all soups TO Toe boiled at least
four hours. No salt meat is allowed
to he fried. it must be boiled. and very
seldom is it that we are allowed to
lry even fresh meats. One medical
officer and captain i'll each regi-
ment 90 through the several quarters
and inspect the yictuals cooked for
each meal. making report of the
same to Nogdes' headquarters. The
buglc is sounded for each meal, and
no mess is allowed TO eat before such
ctll - IL 10 SlilItAt
bidden for any one to eat or cook
ANYTHING between meal hours. The
regiment used to be very loose in its
culinary affairs previous TO this or
der, which goes on TO say that 1t is
believed the greater portion OF the
sickness prevalent on this Island is
owing to the bad management OF the
kitchen
We have lost six men from disease
since oar arrival in this Department.
: believe this is . smaller loss than
that OF any other regiment here
The ll2tn y. Y, il our b.igade, has
lost nearly 80 nen IRON disease dur
: inc the same time.
. W hat about the progress OF tho
t siege !? l scarcely know much more
thaa yourself. We hear firing every
day at the front, but not very much
We hear constant rumois, but can
place no confidence in them. Today,
for instance, | heard that somebody
else had heard that Gilmore intend
cd 70 commence the bombardmcnt
OF Charleston tomorrow. But 1
have heard this same story dozen
times before, proving TO be false
Eyerything looks TO permanent