Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-29
From the Finy-FIrst Regiment.

CAMP SPRAGUE, NEwBERN, Jan. 10, 1868.
As | am soldier in the 5lst regiment Mas
sachusetts volunteers, Co. f, and receive
your much valued paper, should for the
pleasure and benefit of my friends at home,
like to address them through your columns.
Companies + and b of the 5lst are now out
about three miles from the city of Newbern
on picket duty, at the junction of the railroad
leading to Kinston and Neuse road, at which
most we have been since the 4th inst. We
have here very pleasant camp ground, stu
ated in clearing made in the pine woods OF
small growth, and SO dense that it Is with
much difficulty that man on horseback can
make Roadway among the trees The coun-
try around is fiat and low, and we are mostly
surrounded by swamps. This being the case,
the water we obtain here is bad-the drain
inga of these swamps, and much impregnated
with decayed vegetable matter or other pUi-
sonous substance, which gives the water a
dark red color and a disagreeable taste. We
make as little use of it as drink as possible
except when made into tea and coffee.
The boys not on picket duty drill about two
hours each half day, and the two companies
perform sort of miniature dress parade at
the close of each day. Each platoon serves
as a company, Capt. Baldwin of company f,
who commands here, usually acting as col
onel, non-commissioned officers as captains,
&C.. and thus passes off this military per-
Torrance in pleasing manner to both officers
and privates. We have small city of log
shanties and cabins, some of which we have
block has four rooms, each room &C :ommo-
dating eight individuals. Each apartment has
good chimney and fireplace, and night finds
them filled with pitch-pine wood and blazing
fires, round which are seated the soldier in
mates, with occasional visitors, passing the
evening in reading, writing, merry jokes, and
many good stories.
Yet the thought of home occasionally comes
across their minds and brings with it a sad
dened sigh. Just now our mail cart comes
in loaded with boxes from dear friends in
Massachusetts, with many goodies to the
soldier boys in Cos and f. One could but
laugh with those fortunate ones who seemed
oyerjoyed as they opened their boxes, con-
tanning many bundles of niceties, and letter
telling the good son or husband what was
sent, and about the folks at home Yet we
were among those who wore long faces at
having received nothing, and necessarily
must remain in the condition of the " fifth
| calf"
But our joy has of late been turned into
/ sorrow and mourning for the loss of two of
Co.. F's boys. Parsons of Worcester and
Macomber of Oakham, died very suddenly,
| sick but day or two, and soon after being
taken sick seemingly unconscious Of all that
passed. 1t is supposed they had drank freely
OF this poisonous water since being here.
| They had labored hard in the erection of the
log tenements. particularly Mr.. Parsons, who
had the management of the above mentioned
block called by his name . Parsons Block, -
he building the chimnies entire with his own
hands and no small piece of work, the last
this brave soldier ever did. Their disease
was termed by some malarious fever, caused
by drinking bad or poisonous water.
The brigade to which the 5lst regiment
belongs has now gone on an expedition with
the companies OF the 5lst not doing picket
duty. All ask where, and echo answers
"where." We know not how long we may
remain at this post, but we hope to be more
serviceable to our country in another position.
|