1         Bucks County Intelligencer, From the Ringgold Regiment.  November 19, 1861  Page 3  Col. 3        1

 

LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.

From the Ringgold Regiment.

Correspondence of the Bucks County Intelligencer.

CAMP DAVIS, KALORAMA HEIGHTS,

November 15th, 1861.

Dear Intelligencer :—We still remain where you left

us ; at “CAMP DAVIS,” Kalorama—a beautiful spot.  The

police force have been busy at work since you left us, and

a cleaner and more orderly encampment is not to be found

in the vicinity of Washington.  The weather has been de-

lightful—dry and warm ; but last night we had a heavy

rain for a change, and this morning it is cloudy and the

ground is quite sticky, making locomotion rather difficult. 

One hour’s sun, however, will obviate this difficulty.

The men are all in fine spirits.  “Gay and Happy”

and “ Dixie’s Land “ are our favorite songs.  The health

of our camp remains good; we can always count on good

health when the “ Whiskey Mills “ are far removed.—

The Surgeon’s call which sounded precisely at 8 ˝ a. m.,

is almost unheeded.

I have made a short visit to some of the neighboring

encampments to see how they look and how the men drill ;

as a general thing, the men appear strong and healthy—

“ rough and ready,” they look as though there are no

hardships they cannot endure ; their clothes are much

soiled, and the appearance of the encampments generally

is, that little or no regard is paid to cleanliness.  The

morals of our regiment are decidedly better than any of

the neighboring regiments, and I doubt whether there are

any in the service in which there is so little profanity as

in the Ringgold—notwithstanding our Chaplain informed

us, in his remarks on last Sabbath, that we were the most

profane and vulgar regiment in the service; that he had

visited almshouses and prisons for the past seven years,

and in depravity the 104th Regiment, P. V., surpassed

them all.  There was a number of spectators present to

hear the discourse, and I regret that he showed us up in

so unfavorable a light, for since that occasion we are

known by our neighbors as “That ornary regiment from

Pennsylvania.”

Three of the N. Y. regiments are near one mile north of

us.  The N. Y. 56th is encamped near us; it is composed

of 1,581 men, under the command of Col. Van Wyck—200

of these are cavalry, 250 are artillery, and the balance in-

fantry, armed with the Enfield rifle, the appearance of

which pleases our boys wonderfully, as they are hoping to

receive the same kind soon.  Their cavalry are not mount-

ed yet, nor have the artillery, received their guns.  The

opinion of the men is that both will be detached from the

regiment.  Ours have gone, some say with the intention

of being drilled and equipped and returning to us, but if

they ever are permitted to join the Ringgold Regiment

again, I miss my calculation.  The want of time prevents

my writing more this week, but you shall hear from us

again.                                                   POTOMAC.

The following are extracts from private letters written

to a friend in Doylestown, by one of the members of Com-

pany C:

KALORAMA, Nov. 10—We have a beautiful morning as

usual after a storm—especially such a storm as we had

yesterday.  But our camp is very highly situated, and

the water runs off very rapidly and leaves the ground

middling dry.  It is a beautiful country, very hilly, and

I guess pretty healthy.  I do not sleep very comfortable

towards morning, owing to my feet getting cold, which

you may think strange, but it is undoubtedly true.  Our

dog and cat both occupy my bed, and behave very well;

the cat crawls down under the covers near the middle of

the bed, and no doubt sleeps quite comfortable.  We are

not allowed to go out of camp, not even the officers.  Yes-

terday, we (the Captain, Dr. R. and myself) went to hunt

Capt. Craven’s company, but could not find him or his

company.  As for news, we can hear nothing but rumors. 

The intolerable practice of humbugging prevails here to

a considerable extent.  A rumor was afloat that we had

orders to march up the Potomac about 30 miles, and a

general run for our tent was the consequence.  I told the

boys that it was true, and they seemed pleased at the

prospect of an early removal.  It is now dinner time, and

I must quit writing until something startling occurs.

KALORMA, Nov. 13—We are all well and very busy.—

We have roll call at daylight—then breakfast, which is

intended to be ready at 7 o’clock, but we sometimes get

it earlier than that hour at 8, guard-mounting ; at 9,

officer’s drill; at 10, company drill ; at 12, dinner; at 1,

Sergeants’ and Corporal’s drill; at 2; battalion drill, dis-

miss at 4, prepare for dress parade at 4 ˝, and supper at

5, which brings evening with it.  This routine is kept up

every day—so you see we do not get much time to write. 

I buy an apple, occasionally from our sutler; they are

very dear, two for five cents.  Everything is sold extrem-

ly high here; they sell sweet crackers at 20 cents a pound,

figs at 16 cents, candles two for 5 cents; or one for 3 cents. 

The Doylestown Democrat (but one copy) has made its

appearance in camp, but the Intelligencer has not yet ar-

rived.  I miss my cigars, those we buy here are very

mean and very dear.  I am enjoying good health and

spirits, and do not fear danger.  We have plenty of com-

pany.  I have it from good authority, from one who has

the management of the troops when they arrive, that

there are three hundred thousand troops in and around

Washington, so we ought to be strong enough to meet the

rebels and drive them back.  The three years enlistment

don’t seem much longer than the three months did last

?.  I think the Southern scoundrels are nearly played

out.  Another such a fleet as the one that captured the

forts at Port Royal, sent against Charleston or New Or-

leans, will bring them to their senses.


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