Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-08-21

duly mindful of the importance Of the military
nan evuiiug himself Of all opportunities 10 re-
cuperate his exhausted faculties, we have, sluce
our recent halt here, abandoned ourseh 80
thoroughly to the rest gracously accorded ua,
that we feel II is duty We owe to ourselti to do
no more than is actually required, fearing tnat
by the lightest stretch OF the powers Of body or
mind, We shall be doing Ourstt manifest in
justice, end fail to inbibe all the agreeable
draughts which this much coveted relaxation, as
a source supplies. With energies Oozing out
from the melting rays Of the sun, not like Acres
courage from the finger tnds, but from every
pore, we have all sought shady retreats, pulling
of our coats, and INDUCED In delightful visions
Of ice-cream and refigVIaut drinks.
Seated under the branches OF the big oak trees
that cast dense shade about tue yard of the
"zoar" Baptist stone church, which is now oc.
cupied as u Brigade Hospital; we find that we
have real zing sense Of the pleasures Of rural
izing, and that weeks stay in oue spot has not
NJ all diminished our capacity for the proper
estimate Of comparative inactivity, aud m
appreciation of our surroundings. Though there
is nothing very inviting here, aud the town is
simply cross roads aud constituted Of the
church edifce, one story tenantless building,
with the windows aud doors all broken IN.
aud an old stone well filled up with bits Of
lumber. still it is considered by US ns very
before was desolate, and almost deserted, sprang
into life with the soldiers advent and Low the
patches of woods that bound the roads are filled
with the shelter tents, which sprouted up quickly
upon the termination of the march, and we
already feel as much ut home as if we were the
sole proprietor of all the impoverished inrms
contiguous, and sufficient number Uf the
peculiar institutions" to work them. 1t may
be that the chance to vary our diet slightly, i,
an element in this sense of domesticity, foi
though the land is not one flowing with milk and
honey, il yet produces enough to remind us tina
fruits and vegetables are IN season and that they
afe great luGnIies after an exclusive faro Of salt
pork and wheaton blocks OF adamantine hard
ness.
With such rusticalion aud its advantages over
the late marches, cur Brigade is well satisfied
and is having what soldiers term ia good time.
We can now lie down ut night without havinl
| thai ine1orablu order "the command will NOV,
al early dawn" mixing itsnl up unpleasant,
with our dreams, and nnlicipations Of hurret
breakfasts, lengthy marches aud scorchiug SUI
disturbing our sleep. RntOns are no lOnge
issued spariugly from necessity, the commssarl
ahonnds with articles Of food which Uncle San
furnished, and with occasional acquisitions whiol
are made on the neighburing farmers, f0
chckens milk, butter and vegetables, one cal
manage 10 yegetate very well soldiers ar
VIGOROUSLY good providers, and il they are il
the neighhorhood of such supplies, they cat
generally succeed in securing IL moderate share
even should they be obliged TO "draw" ih
potatoes from patch, milk the cows harves
the green corn, or pay the owuer in very we
executed confederate notes AT present the
consider the chief duties Of life are to keep up
strong picket line, and to cook often DuIn
the late campaign we knew instances Of some O
the men cooking six times in the dny. On
young fellow who had kindletl his little fire thfe
times IN the morning, to engage 10 the cuiaur
business, on being asked why he cooked 8
frequently, replied that he wanted to h
sure Of his grub for he didn't know when b
would gel chance TO eat any more,
There is such small portion of our Regimen
left, that il affords but little materiui now for
letter. The depicting process through which
has passed, has ihinned its ranks in a mann,
saddening to contemplate, when we think Of til
force ii once could muster. Oar clccti,
strength now is greatly reduced; there is not
captain on duty in the Regiment and there al
but seven Lieutenants; Sergeants command son
Of the companies, aud CORPORAL is in eonmhi
OF one Such are The fortunes Of war.
lev days ago, in accordnuea with provision
ofan order from Waf tie Department, an ord
came 10 the effect that the Regiment should
con HolidRted into Battalion OF Ave eompanie
missioned, be mustered out arrangements We
accordingly made to bring about this change
our organization, when The order was suspende
probably because the authorities deemed it be
TO strengthen, rather than weaken an organic
ton, which by its well known valor and aehev
= menis, had gained name that 1t may well
proud of, aud reputation that il by no mea
local and il is understood now that we are
have the bene6t Of the conscrption; two tqui
have already been sent on 10 bring those unwi
ing soldiers to our fold and there is prospt
, that the old "First Delaware" will have
opportunity of preserving itself as an orgauis
body, maintaining its character as Regmol
and adding fresh laurels TO those already won.
In speaking of the Brigade, we cannot rcfra
from mentioning its able commander Col III,
e. A. Smyth Of the lst Delaware. You know
+. are not much given 10 bestowing tuoges. 1
Z ;he Colonel certainly deserves commeudato
There is no man in the Brigade more Populi
and in military circles he stands deservedly hig
and well directed eifortis being made TO sect
=, MIN the position and rank Of Brigadier Genel
in acknowledgement of his military qualit
and of his services in camp aud ON the iie
His conduct on the field OF Gettysburg was
- theme Of all who were acquainted with
Q gallantry and bravery then exhibited, aud Iii,
is not nn officer or enlisted man in his Briga
- who would not rejoice at the proper recogniii
II Of his services. Yours,
b BILLY