Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-03-21
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For the Sunbury American.
letter from the Sunbury Guards.

hEn IVES TIA, hltTcn Z, looo'
DEAR WILvERr ON Saturday, February 2l,
orders were issued to Col Good relieving him of the
command at Beaufort, to be filled by Brigadier
General Saxon, Military Governor, &C., of South
Carolina and for him (Col Good) to report, with his
regiment, to Headquarters for special duty. This
was done. Our tents were pitched in field outside
of the entrenchments at Hilton Head, wells dug,
cook shantes erected, and everything in shape to
make us comfortable, when an order came for us to
'pack up' to take another ride on the "Ocean
deep and at repair to Key West. We started
on the oath of February, on board the steamer
Cosmopolitan. After pleasant and safe journey
arrived at our destination, on the 9th, at one
Pm.
To go again to Key West was something tho boys
didn't like, for in the big fight that is to come off at
Charleston, place had been assigned on board
the Ben Deford with Major General HUNTER. For
want of name, one might call the position ga body
guard" TO the Commander of the expedition. The
post that of honor, and ono that any regiment
would like to occupy, but ''wherc duty calls, It's
TO obey and there is some likelihood of tho
"nephew Of his uncle' interfering in private
arrangements, and the Gulf will be the place where
his French vessels will make their first appearance,
the boys have got over their dislike to this little
island for here they will have chance of giving
Louis Napoleon pill to swallow, more bitter than he
is now receiving in Mexico and teach him that it is
better to mind ones business than to interfere in
that of strangers.
Col Joseph Morgan is relieved of this command {;
Col T. Ii. Good to have charge of all the troops here
and at Tortugas. Four companies of our regiment,
viz A, b, c. and /, are stationed in Fort Taylor,
Key West, under Major W H. Gausler, and the other
six at Fort Jefferson, Tortugas, Lieut. Col. q. W.
Alexander, commanding. The Goth n. Y. 5. Vol,
will remain here and be quartercd in the barracks
and other places the island This post is to be
fully prepared for any emergency. Batteries are to
be erected at every available point the Towers to
have the necessary armament, i'll fact, TO be so pre-
pared that if John Bull or Monsieur Crapean wishes
to engage us with their "dogs of war, VIC wont be
placed in like fr with Major Anderson and his noble
fellows at Fort Sumter.
Much joy manifested by the inhabitants on our
arrival Flags Strcamcd across the strcets-on one
cord alone counted sixteen Of different nations, the
most conspicuous was a large American flag, having
on it the inscription Welcome i7th." Houses were
opened and the good things Of this earth, whcrewh
to comfort the inner man. were plentiGuly distributed
among the men of the different companies. 1t would
be self praise (which is not very cOmmendable) to
say We are the regiment, par e.rceiicUce, but the
people here hare n very high opinion of US, and
proved it by this ovation.
An order for all TO remove, who had relative in
the rebel army had been promulgated, and by four
o'clock they would have embarked on board steam
cr bound for Hilton Head, where they would have
been sent, under flag of truce, 10 the rebel lines
unless ordered differently by the Commander of the
10th Army Corps Our arrival stopped the banish-
mcnt of seven hundred and thirty souls, and until
treason is proved against them, here they are likely
to remain, happy in their homes, endearcd TO them
by old associations and family ties.
From Northern papers we learn great deal about
decentralization" and dissatisfaction in the Army.
1t is 10 us, and l can tell those croakers at
home that their stories all untrue and that, al
most 10 man, those composing the Army, as far as
my ohserya alton has gone, have perfect confidence in
President Lincoln, his Proclamation of Emancpa-
ton, and will join him heart and hand, in any
measure to put down this internal rebellion, and act
with him in anything that will bring an honorable
peace. There Is dissatisfaction among the soldiers
but it is caused by men IN the North who are con-
tnually preaching conservative and peace doctrines
whereby they give aid and comfort to the enemy,
and Gs long treason is allowed to bo sown broad
cast, as it is by certain party in Sunbury, such
dissatisfaction will remain, never to be forgotten
especially with the "Suubury Guards.''
The members Of our company are all well. Ra
lions that Government furnish are wholesome and
of the best kind, but thanks TO Capt. Goblin, who
acts as Treasurer Of our company funds. Sergeant
Piers, company Quartermaster, and Johnny Nunsch
'chief cook and bottle washer, live at tho head
Of the heap Our extras are ''pot-pien three times
a week, apple dumplings, with good milk, semi
occasionally, and for something to remind of days
past and gone, Sergeant Piers us with apple
rie and 9oWghHafS, made in u style that would do
credit TO moro than one | know OF, who is in the
baking business
With respects to yourself all in the Office and
friends generally, remain
Yours fraternally, II. D. ".