Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-06-10
CAMP NOTES.
CAMP SPRINGFIELD, NEAR JACKSON
VILE, FLA.

We have pine shade and good supply
OF water.
The trip from Richmond was almost
without incident. Private KenneY OF
the Salem Company, dreamed that he
was in railroad wreck, and at once
dived through the car window while the
train was running at 45 miles an hour.
When he awoke, ne found himself on a
sand heap and no train in sight. He
walked to Revenell one and a quarter
miles, where he was picked up by the
third section. He is now in the hospital
and the surgeons say he will be all right
In about three weeks.
Reveille now sounds at 1880 a. IN.
Some of the boys say it is not half as
sweet as the home call that used to sound
about O'Clock.
We expect to be ordered to Porto
Rico as soon as the corps organization is
completed.
Our regiment was under canvass by s
O'Clock Friday evening, and the boys
were soon resting from their long ride.
At night, it is cool enough 20 make
overcoats pleasant, but we have no
OvercOats.
Our boys are all happy and hcalthful.
We have none in the hospital.
Our food is very plain. How we would
enjoy some of the breakfasts that were
not good enough for us at home. We
have, however, learned one thing and
that is that butter is not considered one
OF the necessaries Of life.
A soldiers life is not all pleasure. nor
is it altogether without enjoyment
Many of the boys begin to realize the
fact that the world is larger than they
thought it was. There is fine bathing
near here. We expect to see plenty OF
water before we reach our journeys end.
Did you ever read the description OF
snakes written by the local editors OF
some of our Valley papers? Well, 1t
would fairly charm the hearts of those
imaginative writers to get among these
Florida snakes. One night in Florida
would give them material enough to
keep them busy for six months, and
then it would be only necessary to write
the truth.
Hotis no name for it. Tell the Wood
stock people that they do not know what
heat is.
The boys just got in from drill. They
are completely tired ont and drop down
at the first opportunity.
The bread is so hard that we have to
soak it in coffee, before we eat it.
We make fires in front of our tents to
keep the snakes out. One bit boy on
the hand the other day.
Col. Baker was about right, when he
said. "Boys it's tough, but we will stick
1t out and fight for our country"
One of the boys had his arm shot OIL
last night
The bugs are so bad that ne can't
sleep. Between bags and snakes and
hot weather, there is little enjoyment in
camp.
Tell all the boys that We are well and
are having a good time.
We are all expecting to get home soon
for we don't believe the war will last
long,
lr. Richard Van Pelt visited our camp
few days ago. We are also expecting
Stuart Ramey, a Woodstock boy.
We have good music as some OF the
regiments baye excellent bands with
them, but they have no tune to beat ouI
Dixie, which seems TO be as great q
favorite with the Northern bands a
with our own.
The Herald is welcome visitor in
camp. 1t brings us news from home
and is eagerly read by the boys.
We have often heard of the "sands OF
time.n The fellow that first used thai
expression must have been from Florida
One ofthe North Carolina Regiments
killed five rattlesnakes within an hour
Reptiles are abundant. .Chameleo ns rur
all over us at night.
The boys that were vaccinated before
we left Richmond have very sore arms.
The soldiers went for the pear orchards
whenever they had the opportunity.
Ten days rations Of bacon and hard
tack have been issued. The tack is Sc
hard that we cannot break it by throwing
it against rock.
This country is full Of spies We have
fifty guards at the reserv Dir to keep then
from poisoning the water.
All the trees are draped with moss
which reaches nearly to the ground whit
the ponds are filled with lilies which
yield the richest perfumes.
When we get to fishing and grabbing
our rations will be improved.
One of the spies trying TO poison water
is said to have been shot by guard and
is now in Jail.
The Fourth Va. Regt. reached here on
Monday night at 10 o'clock.
On Tuesday our regiment was thorough
lly inspected and even the hard tack wa
pronounced good.
We were encouraged by the news tina
our hard tack fare would be changed fo
one of beef, ham, onions and potatoes.
We are expecting the third reg
ment to be ordered here and brigad
of Virginians to be formed.
The second and Fourth regiments Wi
be in the Third brigade and Col Bake
has been asked to command the brigad
, until brigadier has been appointed.