Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-09-23
CAMP NOTES.
PABLO BEACH.

Another move a nd we are in no bette
condition, in fact not as good as we wer
before we left our last camp. | am re
minded Of story l used to hear Stone
. wallis Jackson's men tell about tn
celebrated Bath trip. When they return
ed in January to Unger's store, the me
dubbed" the camp, ''camp mud"
l was said to have been a miserabl.
muddy camp, and about the time OF tn
January thaw, Gen. Jackson ordere'
the camp moved to neighboring hill
When tile Brigade reached the new
location, the mud there was from four T.
six inches deep and 1t was promptly
named by the boys Camp no Better
/ think the latter name could be well APP
Piled TO our camp near Pablo Beach.
AT one time large number OF the
men Of the Second were anxious to 60
to Cuba, but we have been keptsO long
in this unhealthy climate that few. if
any, now want to 90 to Cuba. The truth
is we want to be mustered out. We have
had enough of it. You may talk OF your
bracings sea breeZes, Of the land OF flow
ers, of the beautiful palmetto, the
orange groves and all that, but resi-
dence IN Florida during the months of
August and September will knock all
such poetic notions into smithereens.
So many of our men are sick that we
have not mole than thirty fit for duty,
and really believe every one of them
wants to 90 home.
We enlisted to fight for our country.
If there were fighting to do we would
expect to be exposed to the fire of Span
ish soldiers, not to the deadly malaria in
a position where we can be of no service
to our country or to ourselves,
Capt. J. w. Magruder, and Q. S.
Glen, have gone home on sick leave.
We have so many rumors that we are
almost afraid to credit any, but the last
is that we will break camp at once and
be moved to Richmond, where we will
receive 30 days furlough prior to be-
ing mastered out Of the service.
think this rumor is true and before your
paper will be issued we will all be i'm
Richmond.
Your correspondent, am sure, will be
ready to exchange the beautiful mag
nolias of the South for the smiling sun
flowers of the Shenandoah Valley.
For thirty-six hours after breaking
camp for Pablo Beach, the men were
without rations. Rather rough on us in
peace times. what would it be if we were
actually engaged in war:
We had a sad accident which has cas-.
great gloom over the entire camp. Pr
vate Edward Carr of Company G.
Roanoke) while bathing in the surf at
Pablo Beach. was washed out to sea and
drowned. Every effort was made By his
companion to save him. but he in turn
was barely saved from meeting a similar
fate.
Rattle snakes are abundant about our
camp. Some Of the boys have a number
of them boxed. One company has
twenty-one. We think that we could
conveniently supply all the menageries
in the county. 1t is reported that six
foot rattle snake was captured near the
camp the other morning. 1t had ten
rattles and button.
RICHMOND, VA.
Well, your correspon dent will soon be
without occupation. We left Florida on
Monday evening. The people have been
kind to MS and while we are sorry to part
with such good friends, my heart is
Oyerioyed with the prospect Of being
once more IN the Shenandoah Valley,
for have not seen any land which |
love so well. We reached Richmond on
Tuesday evening and met with royal
reception. Had we gained countless
victories and slain thousand Of our
tountry's enemies, the reception could
not have been any more corli'l,-it was
an old Virginia welcome and that
means so much TO the readers OF the
HERALD, | will say that If my letters
have given them any pleasure. my pur-
pose has been accomplished. The MEN,
bers of Co. A. have certainly appreciate
ed the kindness Of the HERALD to us
and every copy has brought joy and
sunshine into our camp, for it always
bore tidings from those we love. 1t is
true that at times the news was sad and
made our hearts ache, for we learned
that we had parted with warm friends
whom we would never greet this side Of
that grand encampment on the other
side the river.
The war is over and we will soon be
at home and with this letter !, as a cor
respondent, bid you all most cheer
ful GOOD BYE.