Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-05-27
9onrual anu Atattaman
Friday Morning. May s7, 1864.
From Gen. Lockwood's Brigade, Army
of the Potomac.
BnlLg PLAIN. MnY ~. 1864


BELLE PLAIN, May %, 1864
MR. EDITOR: As Gen. Lockwood and his
staff are Delawareans, aud aH the 81 Delaware
Regiment form part of his command, it will
doubtless be interesting to your numerous read.
ers to hear occasionally from that portion of the
Potomac Army, intend therefore, with your
permission, through the medium of the Journal,
to keep our friends posted in regard to our
movements, ns often | may fnd opportunity
This brigade was partly organized in Alexan-
dria during last week, aud great spirit and euer-
gy was manifested in all the details connected
with its organization. Capt. @. II. Gallagher a
Wilmingtonian, aud Brigade Quarter Muster,
seeps to be in II dozen places at one time, his
qualifications for his important office, his deter
mination to secure every thing necessary for the
comfort Of the men, and his gentlemanly aud
courteous conduct to those with whom he comes
in contact, were truly astonishing and admired
by all.
Alexandria is quite lively town, and now
wholly for the Union. The writer Of this boarded
at the house where the laHented Ellsworth was
murdered. That spot attracts the attention of all
strangers aud the bAnnsters Of the stairs at the
place where the deed was done ia nearly all cut
away by visitors taking chips. One thing OBJ
served IN Alexandria was, that we did not see q
drunken man during our stay IN the place. The
Military Governor has prohibited the sale of
intoxicating liquor, and the effect is truly de-
lighttul, the streets were swarming with soldiers
and other citizens, but no rows, no quarrellinR
no drunkenness but all were quiet and orderly
glass of the mischief maker could not be got
as heayy penalty would certainly be inflicted
on any one who would sell it. similar law
would do vast amount of good in some other
cities, especially one which the writer loves
well, but which stands in need of q Military
Prohibition Law.
We left Alexandria on the morning of the
2lst, the Third Delaware as they marched
through the streets, attracting marked attention
for their olennly, manly and solderly appear
ance. We felt proud of being a Delawarean.
Our noble General is very popular with the
troops, in fact both officers aud men have full
confidence in him AZ being an able and brave
commander, aud be assured, that when this bri-
gade is brought l" face TO face " with the foe,
they will give good account of themselves -
The young officers of the staff are nlso noble
fellows, and seem "eager for the fray" In
their intercourse with the Company officers and
with the meU, they are already securing the es-
TEEN and love of oil under them Capt. Massey,
A. A, G., Lieut.. Mullikin, A. D. O., and Lieut..
Clayton, A., nre soldiers of the right stamp.
and from what we know of them we can foretell
that their conduct on the battle field will be
such as to make Delaware proud to claim them
as her sons.
The officers and men of the Sd Delaware
with one or two exceptions of slight indispOsi-
tious-are all well, and iu good spirits The Off
cers-withUut any exccption-are decidedly well
qualified and attentive TO their duties To make
the men as comfortable as the circumstances will
admit of, seems 10 be the object of all, and the
consequence il, that the men and officers are
attached 10 each other, and are in the very best
condition for regiment to be in as they APP
proach battle field. Look out therefore for
the 3D. Delaware That regiment villas soon
as they have an opportunty-make their mark
in the great conflict now going on for tho Union
and Liberty. Our intercourse with some of
those we were acquainted with in Wilmington,
is pleasant and agreeable.
As We draw near to the scene of the great
struggle, il is truly encouraging for the men to
witness the manly bravery, the serious yet
cheerful courage exhibited by those young off
GERS, Lients. Butler, Green, Preston, &C., &C.,
in fact oil the Oiiicers-for we name those be-
cause we were personally acquainted with them
are just such men MS we would like to go with,
shoulder to shoulder" TO meet and overthrow
the dreadful enemy of our country. While thus
speaking of the officers, we must not neglect
to mention that active officer and real gentleman,
Lieut.. Townsend, the efficient Regimental Q. M.
lie is beloved by all, for who could do else, but
love him who knows him.
Our Congressman, N. b. Smithers, paid us a
flying visit, while we were aboard Of the steam
er, and just about to leave Alexandria He
came to that town for the purposyof visiting the
hospitals to hunt up wounded Delawareans, and
do what he could for their comfort Thus. while
other Cprgressmen-Our Senators for instdnce-
were spending their holiday Saturday, in ad-
minislering TO their own personal qualification,
our patriotic and philanthropc Smithers was
busily engaged in doing good 10 our brave suf-
iering Delaware soldiers. We hope Mr. Editor,
that your readers will "make note of that.
We arrived here on Saturday evening, and
were at once brought face 10 face with some of
the dreadful realities of war. All along tho hill
sides aud the banks Of the river we see soldiers
and tents, and wagons aud all the material of
war; as far as the eye can reach, in fact there
seems TO be no end to il but the most affecting
sight was over 100 wagons just arrived from
Fredericksburg with the wounded of the late
battles. The writer went on board the vessel
where the poor fellows were being carried on
stretchers, and oh, such sight; it will never be
forgotten. The Sanitary Commission, (God bless
the noble philnnthropists who proposed the great
enterprise, aud the great people who so prompt
ly responded to their call, were there, men and
women, yes, women, noble women were there
in the midst of that misery, soothing the suffer-
ing, welting their parched lips, bathing their
painful Wounds cheering them with words of
affection and kindness. These women are truly
ministeriDg spirits, angels in human form, and
their agency in doing good in this great war is
beyond all calculation. We would respectfully
say to your readers, sustain the great Sanitary
movement, you will be glad you did so when you
hear of even tithe of the good they are doing.
We will leave here soon, in fact we may re
ceiye the order any hour to proceed to the front
AS the mail is to leave just now, must close
this hurried scrawl Any other little incidents
which | would like to mention must be kept
fill another time.
RAW RECRUIT.