Year: 1861

NisiOu vi tue army mas Deen Soiug on Slice hC-
Clellan has been in command and we are now
beginning to approximate discipline. From
Generals to privates the improvement is dis
tinctly visible.


There is a rumor that we may anticipate an
attack tonight. Extraordinary precautions
are being taken. and there may be some truth
in the report There is no doubt but that our
lines are menaced by large body of the rebels.
and in the flush of victory they may he spurred
on to the madness of an attack. There need be
no fears of the result if they presume to attack
US when numbers and position will place us on
anything like equality. Our pickets are at
tackled almost nightly by the outlaw scouts.


The fragments of regiments have about all
been collected, and many of the men who were
at first reported killed or wounded are now
the surprise of their valiant comrades who
:" saw them fall horribly mangled or mortally
wounded" The presumption in these cases is,
that these wOuld-be heroes showed the white
feather, and were under the necessity of draw
ing on their Imagination in order to make out
that they were in the thickest of the fight.


paid visit, during the last few days, TO all
the Government hospitals in Washington,
Georgetown and Alexandria. Everything seems
to be in the most complete order. Neatness
and comfort gives these generally uninviting
institutions the air of pleasant homes. We re-
ceived an impression from some of the official
bulletins issued that none but superannuated
females were to be employed as nurses. We
were led to believe that at all events homeli-
ness and disagreeablencss were to be special
recommendations to official favor in this direc-
ton. We were happily disappointed, however.
and soon discovered why everything around
these extensive institutions. filled with hun
dreds Of our volunteers in all degrees of disease
and wounded in every imaginable manner,
seemed so inviting and appeared so much like
home-it was wOman's gentle influence. We
saw many that would not by any means come
within the call issued some months since by
Miss Dix, as they were certainly too young and
good looking to meet the requirements therein
set forth. In lavishng upon the volunteers in
defense of your country's flag a full need of
praise by grateful hearts, the public should
not overlook the self-sacrifcing heroism that
prompts these ladies to leave the comforts, and
many Of them the luxuries of home, to admin
lister to the sufferings of those who are the IN
fortunate victims OF the diseases and casualties
of the camp and field. We made the tour for
the purpose of finding those OF our company
who had not reported themselves since the
battle. We found in the Columbia College
hospital Adams and George johnson intermit-
tent fever, and Rose general debility. They
are all doing well. n. ". Miller and SOuther-
land could not be found, yet they were known
to have reached Washington. Their friends
need not be alarmed as to their bodily welfare
as We think they have taken care of themselves.
If Miller is in Lansing he can have a number
of letters forwarded to him if he will send us
his address. Higgins. who was reported as q
deserter, has returned to camp and gives sat
isfactory account of himself Watkins, Murray
Mcclure, Kilboy and Wickham are in the hos
pital with fevers.


Our nOn.commissioned officers have all been
promoted one notch. A. S. Shattuck was elect
ed eighth corporal. He deserved the promo
| ton. He has distinguished himself on several
occasions, but particularly on the 2lst of July
by mounting to the top of an old building and
cutting away the flag staff, thereby preventing
the Michigan Sd from wearing the dishonor OF
turning their backs to the stars and stripes.
On our expedition to Bulls Run our regi
mental colors were not unfurled from the lime
We left the Potomac until we returned. If the
same bearers and guard are to be retained tht
ladies of Grand Rapids need never fear thai


the colors they presented us with so mucl


pomp and ceremony will ever be taken by tbt


rebels. as there is not the least fear that they


will ever get sight of them, nor will there be al
opportunity for any Of the brave members o


the Sd to either distinguish, or have themselve


extinguished, in defense of our regimenta


standard.


The affairs of the company move alon!


smoothly. The work of Grand Rapidizing th


regiment gets along finely, and it will not b


long ere the Valley City will have the prou'


assurance Of having furnished full quota o


officers for the Sd.


| A strange hallucinatiOn has seized the regi


ment. to the effect that at the end of thre


months from the original date of enlistment W


will be disbanded and permitted TO go home


Notwithstanding there is not man in the regi


ment who did not enlist for three years. Man


of the men are living upon happy anticipation,
They are building castles in the air that fea


will have q sad wreck. While three-fourths @


the men would doubtless re-enlist, they nearl


all express a strong desire to pay home a visi


and then return in different shape"


The excellent sanitary arrangement, by wa


of bathing, that l boasted of in my last. ha


been sadly interfered with. For some cause


to us inexplicable, We are debarred the free us
of water. Under this new arrangement W


only have access to the river twice a weel
Should this arrangement continue for any cor


siderable length of time the camp will be aliv
with vermin.


Col. Miles, who is charged in Richardson
report with drunkenness on the day of the la;


battle, is out in a letter denying the charg
He is supported by a number of letter writer
who affirm that he was perfectly sober durin
the whole of the day. We were doing guar
duty at Richardson's head quarters and ha
, many opportunities of observing Col Mile
and it is my opinion that he was indisputabl
. and grossly intoxicated. 1t is to the condut
} Of such officers that We mainly owe the disast,
at Bulls Run. and it is manifestly unjust
J blame the volunteer soldiery when among OF