Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-11-26
AOrtester Daily Spy.
Letter from The e5th regiment.
NEWPORT News, VA, Nov. 2,

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, Nov. 70.
Dear Friend Baldwin- Major C. G. AT.
wood is at present commanding the 25th regi-
ment, inasmuch as Col. Pickett is command
ing the sub-district of Pamlico, and Lieut.. Col.
Moulton is on leave of absence at home. Col.
Pickett is expected here this week. Newport
News is pleasant spot for an army. AT pres
ent there are only the 23d, 25th and the 9th
Massachusetts, and 9th New York regiments
here, under command of Brig. Gen. Hickman
formerly colonel of the 9th New York. Our
camp is opposite to where the old Minnesota,
and the Roanoke, and some other vessels of
minor size are anchored, awaiting to see what
may come from above (but not from heaven).
About two stones throw from us we observe
the wreck of the CoDgress-the victim of the
Merrimack. She has gone to the deep; but
her bow peeps still from below over the sur
face OF the placid James river to be monu-
ment of Internal outrage perpetrated by
parricidal hand. In days past she contributed
her share to the dignity and greatness of an
united country, and she has certainly not
Se"oOu " eAlSV VI INC MINUS Vi the patriots,
though in a different sense. She will take as
deep revenge as she is sunk, am convinced
of that. There will be resurrection of her
and her consorts, at time l hope not far dis
tant, and then await the wailing and crashing
of teeth Ha! ha!
The twenty-fifth regiment has a splendid
camp. We have what is called in military
parlance, ga" or 'wedge" tents. These
tents are raised three feet above the ground
upon II stOckade constructed from pine shin
giles, which are bought by the different COM
manders from the industrious colored people
around here, and paid for out of the respec-
tive company funds. Company funds are
raised by the savings of a surplus of rations
not used. The benefit of such savings is
great, as the money value is paid by the gov
eminent in cash, and as such cash can be used
for the purchase of articles not furnished by
the government. The officers of our regi-
ment have, indeed, made very judicious use of
such savings for the benefit of the men, as
well as regards health as comfort, as far as |
know.
The 18th army corps in general, and among
them the 18th Massachusetts volunteer infan-
try in especial, regret the loss of Maj. Gen.
j. &. Foster, who is superseded by Gen.
Butler. Fosters old brigade, to which the
18th belonged, had unbounded confidence in
his qualifications as a general He is born a
soldier, and he would waste his energies to de-
vote his attention to any other avocation of
life. 1t is hoped he may receive another i'm
portant command, and then call for the 25th
We will be there ''doubIe quick" These re-
marks should not be construed as if we would
not do our duty under any general, but as
long as we have preferences, l think have a
right to express at least mine. We are under
marching orders, to be ready at moments
notice, with three days ratons in our una.
voidable haversacks, which are filled with del
icaces of salt beef and crackers. little an
ecdote about crackers may be in place here.
While on outpost duty at the Gully" near
Newbern, | went one day into deserted
house, formerly occupied by Union pickets
On the wall in one of the diapidated rooms a
Union soldier had drawn an American flag in
charcoal, in the center of which he had
'cracker," around which could be read the
following inscription =
Soldiers delight,
One square meal day"
| thought this worth repeating; you know
our hard "tack" is in square form.