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.