The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1864-06-07
Letter from the l54th.
New CREEK STATION,
West Va. May %, 1864.


West Va. May 25, 1864.
EDITOR SENTINEL;
What would be the result if the physi-
clans in the city of Xonia had only eight
cen patients to every nine or ten hundred
iHhabitants? Itappears to me that quite a
number would be compelled to resort to
some other means Of obtaining their liE-
ing.
In a conversation with our efficient and
gentlemanly surgeon, Dr.. G. Watt, was
informed that there were only eighteen
men in the hospital, and some Of them
will soon be ready for duty.
AN ALARM.
On last Friday night, after taps, when
everybody in Camp was either in bel or
stirring up his "hcmlock" for that pur-
pose, we we're considerbly surprised to
hear Onr oficersqaietly ordering US to "fall
in" The order was -obeyed promptly
and in few moments four companies
were formed, and on the march. We
were taken to Fort Mulligan, situated on
the hill, west of our Camp, where we were
ordered to load our guns, and then were
marched to the opposite side of the Fort
where we made our beds on hoop poles,
and nice soft stones. and slept TIL. morn
ming. A scout coming in in the evening,
reported considerable force Ofrebel cav
airy advancing in that direction, which
occasioned the alarm.
New Creek Station is considerably warm
er than any other place this side Of the
warmest locality imaginable. The heat
intended for the surrounding country,
glances Of the side of the mountains and
rolls down upon US in torrents. In the
day time we are about as comfortable as
we would be, provided we we're encamp-
ed in the bottom of huge wash pan.
At night VIC have it cool and damp. True
we have plenty Of good water, but when
that is said in favor of New Creek, all is
said.
Almost the first occupation the boys
engaged in, after pitching their tents, was
to hang out their signs, donOting their
business and character of the occupants.
In one company noticed barber pole;
in another we have the "Galt Hou-c;" at
another place I am warned by notice
aDen of the Devils" Co. B is graced by
the aCourt Of Venus" "Eeli's Kitchen"
and the aIiving curiosities, " in the shape
of erwin Brothers" who are on free ex-
hibition daily. Our camp is regularly
laid out; the streets arc all named; among
them are Broadway, Main, Chcsnut, Xenia,
Avenue, &c, the latter being occupied by
Cap. Miller's company.
While at camp DennisOn, Co. B raised
a sum of money, and dispatched Lieut..
Poo.e to Cincinnati for musical instru-
ments, and now our evenings are spent
in singing and dancing, and an occasional
ssorenade. A very pleasantmOde Of Will
ing away time, and removing the dull
monotony of camp life.
There is diversity Of ruuors concern
ing the manner in which Mr.. Lincoln in
tends to use us. From oae we hear that
he proposes sendingus to Baltimore; from
another We are informed that Camp
Chase, Ohio, is to be our destination, and
from another, that General Grant intends
us to be his backing, when he takes Rich
mond. The latter think hardly Proba-
Bile. If we are to continue at this place,
the probability is, our regiment will be
scattered all over the country. Captain
King with his company has been semitic
Piedmont, 5 miles up the Baltimore 4
Ohio R, r.
For picket duty, our regiment furnish
es daily from 80 to 100 men. Almost
every man upon his return from picket has
his travels and experience to amuse. and
entertain his brother soldiers with, and
frequently some are of very amusing
character. On one occasion, good ma
turod specimen from "Fadorland, but not
very well versed in military tactics, IN
stead of the usual demand, "who comes
there p enquiries, ''Yat you come here
for?" shust holler out Bull town aud
halt three times, or else shoot hill out
of you" Numerous other funny express
sion arc often heard, but of that enough
There is considerable comment upon
that notice, published in your paper, the
first week after We left Xenia, relative to
the tapping Of the wbjsksy barrel, and the
condition Of the men on our way to camp
Donnison from Xonia. The members Of
Co. B.. l am happy to inform you, had
nothing to do with tho whiskey barrel
tapping, and as faVas 1 know, were to