Year: 1861




the city to get to our camp; as we had no arms
It was thought by some that we might he attack
| ed by the Pings" but we were not molested
Circumstances have transpired since, rendering
1t probable that had they known We were cam
| ing we would have had brush viii, them.


After leaving Harrisburg the people all along
the route gave the same exhibition of their low
atty that we had witnessed along our entire
journey and by the waving of flags and hand
kerchiefs appeared to wish US God-speed until
we arrived within about forty miles of Balti-
more, when we could only occasionally see
a Union flag and a waving handkerchief, but
most Of them gave US rather a sullen look, and
turned their attention to other matters. We
found along that forty miles of the road detach-
mentS OF the 4th regiment stationed to guard
the bridges, many of which have been burned
and temporary ones put in their places.


Nothing has occurred since our arrival here
of any particular interest except the death of
Ben. Campbell which occurred the next morn
ing He complained of not feeling well on the
evening OF our arrival, and went to a hotel.
called for bed the next morning he was
found dead in his room Those who are ac-
quainted with his habits, for the last few years,
can conjecture the cause of his death. Yester-
day Sunday afternoon us our sentinels were
patrolling their beats, one of them was fred at
by rebel, outside of the camp, the ball strik-
ing near his feet, but as the rascal cleared out
md linz
no more of it, and went to bed at our usuaT
hour, but about u clock we were all aroused
by the firing of muskets from different sides of
our camp. The sentinels promptly returned
the fire, and this morning it was discovered that
they killed one Of the rascals ard the police
say two others were badly wounded None of
us were hurt but the bullets whistled around
our heads sufficient to give US foretaste of
what is before US,


We have not got but about half muskets
enough to arm the regiment, and they are of
the old fiint-lock stripe altered over to precus-
sion, but are expecting to receive Minnie Mus
kets for the whole regiment, in a few days
from Philadelphia. While l am writing. under
a tree, In our camp [ can see the stdeyilsn
lurking around on a hill about half mile dis
tant with their pie-glasses, looking into our
camp, and it is thought that they may perhaps
pay us another visit to night but if they do
they will meet with a warm reception, for we
are ordered to sleep with our arms by our sides
loaded with one ball and two grape shot All
they will probably attempt to do will be to try
an mi ck off 4bo-
And understand picket guard is to be sent
| out tonight to put a stop to their operations
When they fired at US last night it was hard
work to keep our boys within the camp So ca
ger were they to go out and butcher the ras-
Gals at one time they threatened to disregard
| the orders of the officers and go out on their
own hook, but order was finally restored and
We lay on our guns until morning, hearing no
mere Of them. You may rest assured that i
the 9th Wisconsin regiment has chance she
will give good account of herself


| 1t is said there are now % thousand troops
! III and around Baltimore, and I saw it stated
in one Of the city papers this morning that
there is to be tsco hundred thousand stationed
here in few weeks to await orders from Wash
ingtOn. 1t is generally admitted here that
there is not to be any more fighting done until
fall unless tbs rebels make an attack, but that
! Gen. Scott intends to devote Il few months time
in organizing and drilling his troops, and then
wipe them out with 3 single blow 1t is fur
| ther stated that we are to be assigned to Gen
Banks division at or near Harper's Ferry
How long we are to remain here | cannot tell
and understand Our officers themselves dc
not know, All will depend upon the move
ment of the enemy. The 9Th regiment is en-
camped within short distance of us and have
received their arms which are the Minnie mus
kets. Since our arrival here we have com
menced the regular system of camp life, by
| having our rations dealt out to US and the mer
divided up into squads Of six, each squad doing
its OWE cooking. Our living consists of beef
bacon, bread, Beans Rice, sugar, and vine
gar, with tea and coffee. Each squad is pro
vided with a camp kettle and Pan, tin cup
and plate, knife and fork for each man. anG
a wash basin. So far as quantity is concerned
we have enough and to spare, but I think there
is no doubt but that the old assertion that ever,
one must eat his peck of dirt before he dies viii
be literally fulfilled in our case The CITY i
under Marshal law and the most rigid surveil
ance is kept up, no soldier is allowed to leave
the camp unless it be absolutely necessary ant
the officers cannot go out without pass from
the police. Any one found about the streets
in soldiers dress is at once arrested unless hi
can show pass, and all are strictly enioineC
not to buy any thing to eat or drink of any one
as they poisoned several of the New York reci
ment which was here before we came and they
would do the same by us if they could There
are many true and loyal people here, but ma
jority Of them are Of the most rabid stripe @


secessionist, and were it not for the troops sta
toned here and the guns Of Fort McHenry
which are pointed at the city ready to blow i


up in a trice. there would be warm worl
here in very short time. The health of tn,
regiment is generally good, most of those sicl
have the measels and the balance, with few ex
ceptions, have made too free use Of tangle-foo
whiskey. As for myself am feeling as well al
l have before in ten yeals.


But l must bring this hasty sketch to a close
| find l have written much more than expect
ed to when l commenced, and as we do no


have many conveniences for carrying ink and
pens resorted to pencil l have written this
| lying on the ground under tree, and if my
| naDer is not very clean Won oeu account f,,