1 Bucks
County Intelligencer, From the 104th Regiment.
October 7, 1862 Page 1 Col. 3 1
LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.
From the 104th Regiment.
GLOUCESTER
POINT, Va., Sept. 20, 1862.
Messrs. Editors :—Another week has passed since I
last wrote to you, and we still live untouched or unhurt.
We still have plenty to eat and plenty to do. Work,
work to do is still before us. We must have the fort in
good repair before the foe attacks us, and, when done, we
are ready to meet them if they dare to show themselves.
But if what news we hear is true, and our army is still
giving them battle, and pressing hard upon them, we will
not have to meet such an overwhelming force, for they
will be pretty much snowed under by the time they get
this far back. We are at work nearly every day except
when in picket, in repairing the fort. We are having it
fixed up in a nice condition. We are having or going to
have it well mounted with good and heavy guns—g uns
that will mark every time they hit, and tell, too. We
are having a delightful rain, and with it enjoying our-
selves in writing—some to their fond mothers, some to
their dear wives, and some to a sweet and loving lady,
who responds to a noble and just cause, one who lends a
helping hand in this hour of her trials and afflictions.—
Since I last wrote to you I have been visiting our Secesh
neighbors, and to see what I could purchase of them in
the eating line. One family I found were very strong in
their secession sentiments; they were against us, and not
afraid to tell us that they thought we had no right to
trespass upon their soil and cut down their time ; but
did they say they had a right to secede ? No ; and they
could not have said so without a cause, and cause they
have none.
Your interesting and the best paper in Bucks, was re-
ceived in camp on Fifth-day (18th), and its columns were
eagerly perused—particularly the columns containing
the names of those who are trying to escape the draft.
Will they all escape by having a sore toe, a bad leg, weak
in the back, and sick occasionally ? Such men as these
should be sent forward at once. They are not fit to live
in a land of freedom and enjoy the happiness of being
free. When will men think as they should think ? when
will they do as they should do ? Will they go and get
exempt, and let the rebels invade our own State and coun-
try, before they are willing to take up arms and go and
help defend their own soil ? Will they go and make such
excuses when their country is in danger of being invaded,
their property destroyed, and their home made desolate ?
Are such men as these men who love their country ? are
they men who would help sustain the Union ? are they
men who wish this rebellion crushed and ended ? Are they
men who are willing to help us, or are they such as
would assist the rebels ? Shame upon such men; after
peace shall have been restored to our bleeding country.
Shame to such men, who will not assist us to end this
wicked war, so that all may return to their homes and
enjoy the happiness of living in peace once more. Shame
upon such men, who stay at home and read the papers,
and see thousands of men slaughtered day after day, and
still say they are not able to endure the hardships of a
soldier’s life. They will go and get exempted. What if
they do not get exempted ?
Why they have to go, if
called upon. Go
they must, and there is no getting out
of it. I know there are some who are not fit for soldiers.
I know there are some who cannot well leave their
homes ; but there are enough that can well be spared, at
such times as these at least. T. C.
GLOUCESTER
PONT, Va., September 24th, 1862.
Messrs. Editors :—The gladdening intelligence of
victory has again reached us. How it animates the droop-
ing spirit and invigorates the desponding heart. Its cheer-
ing effect can be read upon every countenance. For
victory, (let it cost what it may,) every soldier aspires—
always ready to endure hardships; brave danger and face
the foe at the point of the bayonet for that, the precious
object of his aspirations. Though it converts the usual
quietness of many families into mourning, upon it rests
the future weal or woe of our country. Victory must
crown our arms if our cause is to succeed. Yet we may
consider victory too dear, owing to the many valuable
lives it costs, but we must remember that no great object
is attained without heavy loss and many sacrifices. By
considering the great object we have at issue in the
present contest, these losses should be born with fortitude,
knowing that those who fall defending their country, die
in defence of a noble object, and that their names and
deeds will be remembered as long as we can boast of
being a free people. Bucks county has lost another
worthy son by the death of Colonel Croasdale. I served
with him in the ranks, knew him to be a young man of
worth, with a bright and promising prospect before him.
He died defending his country among the brave !
Captain J. Reed Orem had his resignation accepted and
left for home last Thursday. Capt. Orem has not been
able to do duty since the battle of Fair Oaks, owing to a
wound he received in that battle. The Captain is a
gentlemen and was a brave and gallant officer, and his
absence I much regretted. Nothing of interest has taken
place during the past week the men continue at work on
the fort. Fatigue, guard and picket duty keep the men
engaged. We have had but very little drilling since here
except the wheelbarrow drill. Last Thursday morning
the steamer “ New York,” moored to the wharf and a
company was detailed to disembark cannon and ammuni-
tion, under the supervision of Lieut. Carver, (ordnance
officer for this post,) intended as the armament for the
fort. Some of the guns were put in position, but since
the work is lying idle, which is owing to a countermand
of orders at headquarters. Since, I understand, the guns
were designed for the works at Yorktown and they found
their way here through mistake, and that they must be
taken to Yorktown. The regiment has been furnished
with new Sibley tents, which will add much to the com-
fort of the men’s quarters. Nearly all the schooners and
brigs lying in the river had their sails spread this morn-
ing, and soon left. Some of them were here since our
arrival. There is but little shipping in the river at
present. Two gun-boats are lying off the Point and York-
town. L. H. M.