1                    Doylestown Intelligencer  Our Soldiers in Camp  June 4, 1861  Page 3  Column 1                    1

 

Our Soldiers in Camp :—We print below some

extracts from a letter written by William Kachline, of the

Doylestown Guards, to a friend in this place.  Mr. Kach-

line writes to correct the impression that has given some

foothold at home, that our soldiers have suffered greatly

for want of sufficient food.  He narrates the experience of

the company as follows, dating May 26:

I understand from different sources that there is a current

report at home that we are starving, or have been, and that the

report has gained countenance throughout the county.  Knowing

you to be a man of common sense, I thought I would qualify

myself upon these reports.  When our company left Doylestown

we were provided with rations that would have lasted each man

three days.  The rations were good, and we have had none better

put into our haversacks since.  In Philadelphia the Misses Dun-

lap gave the company a good dinner, and those who had none

stood back.  Every man could go out at his pleasure, the com-

pany as yet not having entered an encampment.  Upon our

arrival at Harrisburg, through the kindness of our three mem-

bers from good old Bucks, the company sat down to a good sup-

per, and all hands did, justice—so, you see, we did well enough

thus far.

We still kept the rations on hand, and that evening we entered

Camp Curtin; and all the time we were there we had plenty of

beef, bread, beans, potatoes, &c., as good as I, or those who are

writing such letters to the contrary, got at home.  When we

left Camp Curtin for Camp Scott, we were provided with, I think,

three days’ rations—two days’ anyhow.  Upon our arrival in

Camp Scott, we did not find the Misses Dunlap, nor the members

of our Senate and Legislature.  After two or three days we drew-

our rations.  The rations might have been a little short, but it

was not the fault of our company officers; in fact, there was

enough nothing like starvation.  I had enough, and I bought

nothing in the eating line except one half of a shad at that place. 

When we left Camp Scott for Washington city, each man was

provided with three days rations, viz: one slice shoulder, two

slices bread, and a double handful of crackers.  Now, this trip

was a hard one—two days and one night, and also 2 days in Camp

Cameron, before we began to draw rations.  We had no sleep at

nights—we were guarding the Ringgold battery—and many of

our men sank from pure exhaustion.  Since we have begun

drawing our rations here, they have been full and plenty and of

the very best quality.  Many of our men will complain after they

are dead.  We have received one barrel of eggs, and one barrel

of crackers, as I understand from the citizens of Doylestown,

because we were starving.  We were glad to get them; send

them along, but, remember, I want no better living, than what I

get here.  I buy no provisions.

There was a skirmish upon the opposite side of the river on

Saturday, between the U.S. Picket guards and the Confederate

picket guards, which lasted about one and three-quarter hours,

and resulted in driving in the U.S. troops at first.  Our men

attacked the rebels a second time; and routed them, and cap-

tured one hundred and fifty fat beeves and drove them over to

this side of the river.  No one was Killed.  I stood up on the

back, and saw the performance going on.  We have received our

orders to be in readiness to march..  We may receive marching

orders at any time, night or day.  Every man has his knapsack

ready packed and is anxious to go.