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.