1             Bucks County Intelligencer  From the 104th Regiment.  October 14, 1862  Page 2  Col. 6             1

 

LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.

From the 104th Regiment.

GLOUCESTER POINT, Va., Oct. 8, 1862.

Messrs. Editors :—As I passed through the camp of

the 1st New York Artillery, a few days ago, I noticed a

quantity of coffee lying on the ground, neatly spread on a

rubber blanket, exposed to the rays of the sun.  I pre-

sumed they had been unfortunate with it, and being of an

inquisitive turn of mind, I asked a bystander what acci-

dent had been befallen the coffee.  He replied, in a tone of voice

peculiar to these sturdy New Yorkers, and with that com-

posure of mind indicative of conscientiousness—” On ma-

king coffee, we put it in a bag for boiling, after which we

dry it, and consider it good enough for the niggers!”  By

this time, no doubt, it has found its way to the picket

line, and has been exchanged for such articles as are

brought there for barter by the colored “ gentry “ of the

country.  Of the many sharp dodges practiced in the army

this one takes the lead.  But, as Uncle Sam does not furn-

ish them with a chaplain, and as they have been attend-

ing our meetings since here; it is hoped they will do bet-

ter.  First Sergeant John McD. Laughlin has been pro-

moted, and is now First Lieutenant of Company A.  This

is a deserved promotion.  Lieut. L. has been in the ser-

vice since the war commenced.  At our country’s first call

for troops, he left a situation which was paying him two

dollars per day, and volunteered to defend the honor of

our flag for the sum of eleven dollars a month.  When

such sacrifices are made, patriotism dare not be doubted. 

It has been ordered that Monday and Tuesday of each

week shall be devoted to fatigue duty, and the remainder

of the time to drilling.  We have drilled but little since

we left Washington last spring, though the men do well in

 the manual of arms and the movements of the battalion.—

The men make a better appearance on parade now than at

any previous time since leaving Doylestown.  A desire to

be clean pervades the whole regiment, and it is carried

out in a manner gratifying to the commanding officers. 

Last Sunday forenoon the troops on the Point were re-

viewed by Lieut. Col. Suydam, Chief of Keyes’ staff.—

Considering that this is the sickly season in this latitude,

the sanitary condition of the regiment is good ; only twelve

are in the hospital.  We have no hospital on this side.—

The sick are taken to Nelson Hospital, Yorktown, where

they are well cared for by our worthy Assistant Surgeon,

Dr. Cadwallader.                                      L. H. M.