Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-01-09
Lettcr from thc Sunbury Guards.
KEY WEST, Fla, Dec 81, 1868


KEY WEST, Fla, Dec. 81, 1868.
DEAR WnvEitr.
A keen northcr has been blowing for
the last two weeks, and brings with it Il
cold snap, sufficient to make those of the
'manor born" HUNT up their ovcrcoats and
shawls, and SO cold was it that the dear
creatures were no where tn be seen so the
suppostion is they were seeking the heat of
friendly fire in an clubhouse kitchen. (You
are aware that the private buildings are
without chimncys or any convenicnces for
fire. Indeed our own men felt the change
severely, so much SO, that the great coats OF.
Uncle Sam were worn by the guard, and
any quantity of them were to be seen as one
passed through the streets of the town. In
the Sergeants room, where | am now quar-
tered, which is at the Barracks, where |
squeak the ife," we have fire night and
day, and assure you it is very comfortable.
Some thirty of our regiment have been on
the main land for the last month. cutting
spiles, wood, &C., to be used for different
purposes in this command. The BOYS were
very much pleased with their trip, and their
hardy looks, on their return, proved that
the "hewing Of wood" was of no injury to
the hcail or good appearance of the "bowld
| soldier boy They met many Indians while
there, and among them was the celebrated
| Chief, Tiger Tai, who. when asked his age,
replied, fifty Colds" meaning that many
winters The party traded with the Indians,
and by that means had q u supply OF fresh
pork, venson, fish, &c.
The present season is the earEiral of the
citizens OF this city. They have been en-
joying themselves during the holidays with
balls, parties and masquerIldes, in fact, their
festivities have not been confined to what
We, at hone, usually celebrate, viz the time
beginning with Christmas and ending with
New Year, but commenced ii week before
hand Their masqueralcs are similar To
our old fashioned Bell snickcs, only they
have the fun to themseves--do no. throw
apples, cakes, or nuts to the children for
regular scramble, but march through the
streets, headed by q negro and Dago Span
iard) with fiddle and guitar and after salts
tying their ambition in making themselves
ridiculous, retire to some private house.
where young ladies have already assembled,
and end the evening with performances on
the "heel and toe"
In the way of rarities, the people here
have been more fortunate this year than
that of lust a few days before Christmas
| vessel arrived from New York, and on it
was good lot,ot turkeys, potatoes. turnips,
! onions, &c. Inis was quite treat to them
and well did all PARTIES 60 in wten they
were put up at auction but right smart did
they pay for the whistle. Turkeys brought
the snug price of from five to six dollars n
piece, and other articles in proportion-the
turkeys were Of the size that have often
bought of an Augusta farmer for fifty or
seventy-tiyc cents. Every family that could
raise the amount purchased one for a Christ
mas dinner l was amused in one case
where u woman paid sir dollars for q Gobler.
! and in eA,f an hour sent to store tor
bit and iSbalf eighteen cents) worth of
potatoes IS sing ten for that amount, show
ing that Whatever priyaiions she had to put
up With, turkey had to grace the Christ
mas table
The Engineer Department are busy on
the works OF Fort Taylor, the Towers and
fortlhcations that are now being erected ON
this Island, In doing so, large amount of
labor is required, which is mostly done by
men brought from the northern ciiies-men
of such character as those who resisted the
dpit, were engaged in the riot Of New York
and Billy Wilson's Zouayes. II seems before
leaving New York, or on their way down,
they said they would rule Key West, help
themselves to what they needed and hays
high time generally as long as their sojourn
lasted, the presenee Of the 4Tth 10 the con.
trary, Notwithstanding. They tried the
game aud got ~orsted. Two Of the party
attacked gentleman, abused negroes IN
his emplSs. stoned his house and threatened
their ~ - eluding that Of the gen,leman's
lady, ~ neat day they wefe identified,
and fi,~heiF god beAasioHr were sentenced
10 undergo an imprisonment of six months
At hard labor, In Fort JeiIefson, Torlugas,
without pay.
The boys are all well and IN good spirits
With respects 10 those Ia the 0iles gLd
liisnds geHerally, ! Tsmala
iosrA frsssIslly H. d w