1 Bucks
County Intelligencer, From the Ringgold Regiment. November 19, 1861 Page 3
Col. 3
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 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 we the “Whiskey Mills ” are far removed.
The Surgeon’s call; which is sounded precisely at 8 ˝ a.m.,
is almost unheeded.
I have made a short visit to some 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 last 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. Yours, 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 bet, 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.
KALORAMA, 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 extreme-
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
May. 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.