1              Bucks County Intelligencer, From the 104th Regiment. August 19, 1862  Page 2  Col. 3 1

 

From the 104th Regiment.

HARRISON’S LANDING, VA., August 11th, 1862.

Messrs. Editors :—Through the papers we have re-

ceived very interesting news from home, such as elates

and stimulates the men.  That the Government is about

to wage war in earnest, raise large armies by draft, and

commence the work of crushing the rebellion with vigor,

causes the men to anticipate a bright future.  It is hoped

that they may realize their bright expectations, as it is

folly to deny that we are tired of the service.  But there

are few, among those who entered the service through mo-

tives of patriotism, that are willing to see the war close

unless the rebels return to their allegiance, give up their

arms, and repair to their homes, promising never again to

rebel against the Government.  The men know that the

rebels merit a severe chastisement at our hands for past

sins, and they are willing to fight them until they suc-

cumb.  The news that men are to be drafted was received

with a grace that was expressive of general approbation,

though nearly every one desires the privilege of drafting

certain individuals.  The remark “If I could only draft

him or them, I would fetch them killing!” is frequently

heard.  While the fear of being drafted causes many at

home to feel unpleasant, you have reason to presume that

is has a contrary effect here, for the larger the fighting

force is, the sooner Uncle Sam’s “pic nic,” as the boys

commonly say, will end.

The health of our Regiment has improved wonderfully,

since we have been here.  The Adjutant informed me that

there are only sixteen marked off duty entirely by the

Surgeon.  There is not a single case of severe illness at

present in the Regiment.  Our friends at home will be

pleased to learn that the sanitary condition of the Regi-

ment has not, at any previous time since we have been in

the service, been so favorable.  This speaks favorably

for the healthfulness of this locality.  I have no means

of ascertaining whether the whole army is in the same

healthy condition, but I presume it is.  Bordering on the

front of our camp is a swamp in a ravine, from 250 to

300 yards wide, extending near one-fourth of a mile to our

right, and from thence to the river, being nearly one mile

long.  With this swamp before us, it was feared that this

place would be very unhealthy, but such does not appear

to be the case.

Since the Colonel has resumed command, a better dis-

cipline has been introduced, with good results.  By this

time, every one in the regiment should know the import-

ance of good discipline.  Every man and officer must know

his place, and be ready to perform any duty justly as-

signed him.  A regiment under bad discipline is no more

than an armed mob, and of no benefit to the service.  It

is hard for some men to become subject to obedience, and

some foolishly do much gambling, which avails nothing,

but only makes the matter worse.  Every men, before en-

tering the army, should resolve to obey every just order. 

If an officer maltreats any of his men, or does them in-

justice in any way, it is their duty to report such officer,

and they will soon have justice done them.  At present,

he who disobeys his superior, or refuses to do duty is

sent to the provost marshal, who makes him do policing

and other menial labor as a punishment.  There is noth-

ing brutal about this manner of punishment, but it is such

as necessity demands.

There are one commissioned officer, one sergeant, three

corporals and twenty men detailed from the Regiment

every day for picket duty.  This is the most arduous duty

we have to perform.  The picket line is about two miles

from camp, making an unpleasant march under the burn-

ing rays of a mid day sun.  At our picket line during the

night time, the muquitoes appear in swarms and keep

one busy in attempting to drive them off.  They are now

more troublesome than the rebels and make most furious

charges.  Strange to say, they have not been troublesome

in camp.  I presume it is owing to the smoke from the

fires, as they dislike smoke.  The Regiment drills between

the hours of seven and eight in the morning and after

seven in the evening.  Notwithstanding the hardships the

men have endured upon  the march and otherwise, their

drill is an efficient as it was at any former time.

On Wednesday last, Orderly Sergeant Haney of Com-

pany B, arrived here unexpectedly, direct from Ball Is-

land, Richmond.  Mr. Haney looks better than might be

expected, considering that he lived on rebel fare for more

then a month.  He was sick at the hospital on Malvern

Hill while the battle was raging there on July 1st.  On the

morning of the 2d he proceeded towards what he supposed

to be our camp, when he was taken prisoner by five rebel

soldiers, and was informed that our troops had left.  He

was marched back to the hospital, other prisoners joining

him.  Their names were taken, and they were then marched

to Richmond under guard, and imprisoned in the ware-

house of Libby & Sons, corner of 19 h & Cary streets for

two days and three nights when they were put in position,

and the people were compelled to take down the banner

of freedom and raise the rebel emblem of despotism.  The

rebels say the place is “rotten” to this day.  The island

is near the Tredegar Works, where the rebels are working

day and night, Sundays excepted to supply their army

with cannon and ammunition.  He also saw them work-

ing on what he supposed to be the New Merrimac, as near

as he could tell.  They had just commenced plating the

craft.  They lived on rations worth about 10 cents per day

—consisting of one half of a ten-ounce loaf of bread, with

one-fourth of a pound of fresh beef, and without salt, cof-

fee, and many other delicacies.  They were served with a

small spoonful once a week.  Salt is very scarce.  The

Sergeant says the rebels lived on the same rations, but

they took as much as they wanted before the prisoners

were served.  Some of the men had old tents of different

sizes and shapes.  They were treated much better than

they anticipated.  The North Carolina and Georgia troops

allowed them many favors, for which they are grateful. 

He supposes that the North Carolina and Georgia troops

are the most humane of any in the rebel service.  They

get our papers daily, and laugh heartily at what we con-

template doing.  Our treasury notes are at a premium ;

they gave seven dollars of their money for five dollars of

ours.  On being asked what they intended to do with it,

they replied “ Salt it up ”  The rebels expressed a strong

desire for the war to end; as they were tired of it.  Some

desired to have it settled in their way, while others were

indifferent.  He says the rebel soldiers look very dirty ;

there is no uniformity in their dress; they are without

knapsacks, and are very short of the means of keeping

clean.  On leaving the island, they were marched to Gap

Landing, on the north side of the James, about 12 miles

from Richmond, and embarked on transports.  Mr. Haney

is satisfied with his experience among the rebels, and has

no desire to fall into their hands again.  The weather has

been oppressively hot for the last week, and every day is

getting hotter.  We desire rain, hoping that it may cool

the atmosphere.  The men have free access to the river,

and indulge in bathing every day.  The river bank pre-

sents a grand scene in the evening when hundreds are in

bathing.                                                    L. H. M.