1  Bucks County Intelligencer, LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.  January 14, 1862  Page 2  Col. 3

 

LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.

From the Ringgold Regiment.

Correspondence of the Bucks County Intelligencer.

CARVER’S BARRACKS, January 3d, 1862.

Messrs. Prizer & Darlington :—We are at last com-

fortably fixed in winter quarters--after spending over

three months in tents, we now know how to sympathize

with the great number of gallant men who will probably

have to spend the winter in them.  The Eleventh Main,

to, congratulate themselves on their change of quarters,

having moved into them on New Year’s day, and the re-

mainder of our brigade will have theirs ready.  We

are required to keep our mess rooms in complete order ,

being inspected by the “Officer of the Day” every morn-

ing and they are to scrubbed once a week.  We are

fast becoming proficient, not only in drill and the manual

of arms, but in all kinds of housework—such as cooking,

scrubbing, washing and needle work.  Any of our lady

friends who are about to commence housekeeping might

learn some valuable lessons by paying us a visit, when

we will be most happy to impart to them our method of

having things handy, besides instructions in all the duties

above mentioned.  While sitting in our bunks, we can

reach all our equipments, Sunday clothes, boots, dinner

dishes, and everything else which we consider necessary

to our comfort.

On New Year’s day in company with a friend, I re-

ceived permission to visit Washington.  We visited

several public places but finding they were closed for the

day, we concluded to follow the current which was setting

towards the White House, where we remained for an

hour, interested spectators of the scene, entirely new to

us.  The gates were not thrown open to the multitude

until noon, but from our position outside, we had an ex-

cellent opportunity to witness the procession of splendid

carriages with their liveried servants and aristocratic

functionaries within, followed by the officers of the Army

and Navy; the latter in full uniform with cocked hats

and epauletts.  At 12 o’clock, the doors were thrown open,

and joining the crowd, we were borne along through the

rooms, in one of which stood the President, who shook

hand with every one of us as we passed.  After admiring

the rooms, furniture, &c., to our satisfaction; we made our

exit at a side door to make room for others, and returned

to camp, feeling we repaid for our long walk.  We

seldom have the chance to visit the Capital, this being

the second time I have been there since our arrival—

nearly two months ago.

Many of the boys have been enjoying the holidays in

Bucks county style, having received boxes of good things

from home.  It appears some of them contained whiskey,

which coming to the knowledge of the Colonel, it was

ordered that all boxes should be opened and searched to

prevent the contraband article being smuggled into camp. 

Now, this is right enough so far as it goes, but we are

unable to see why those sent to the officers; (some of whom

perhaps like their beer as well as the majority of privates,)

should not be subjected to the same process.  We have

not been informed whether the confiscated article is

taken to the hospital or appropriated by the officers, in

fact; I do not know that there has been any of it found. 

Now, if it is necessary to have whiskey to spend Christ-

mas properly, (which is extremely doubtful), do not the

privates stand in need of it as much as their officers ? 

If it is important that we of the rank and file should

abstain from the use of it, is it not equally important that

those who command us should be deprived of it also ? 

Or, if the officers can be permitted to indulge without

doing them any injury, what effect would it have on one

of us were we so fortunate as to be elevated from the

ranks to an equality with them ?  I do not wish to be un-

derstood that our officers are in the habit of using intoxi-

cating liquor, on the contrary, I presume such is not the

case, but there are also many of us who decree of the com-

manding officer.  However, I suppose I have no right to

complain, for I am nothing but a                  PRIVATE.


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