1         Bucks County Intelligencer, From the Ringgold Regiment,  November 26, 1861  Page 3  Col. 3

 

LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.

From the Ringgold Regiment.

Correspondence of the Bucks County Intelligencer.

CAMP DAVIS, KALORAMA HEIGHTS,

November 21st, 1861,

Messrs. Prizer & Darlington :—Before leaving Bucks

county, I was requested  by many personal Friends to

write them letters, giving a description of our trip to

Washington, but necessity compels me to address them

through your columns; and let them set as much store by

this as I had written to them personally, for it is diffi-

cult to write when one has nothing of interest, or any

startling adventures, to relate.  Interesting items are

very scarce, more so than when on a march ; then some-

thing turns up continually.  Now we are settled down on

the Heights, and have had the same routine of duties each

day, until to-day, when we had a review for a change.—

Four regiment participated—the Ringgold, the N. Y.

10th Regiment, commanded by Col. Van Wyck; the 52d P.

V., Col. Dodge; and the 11th Maine, Col. Caldwell.—

These regiments constitute the Third Provisional Brigade,

with our Colonel as Provisional Brigadier-General.  We

hardly suppose that the review was quite as stupendous

an affair as the one over the river yesterday—it might be

considered rather a “one-horse” concern, compared with

that ; but I understand that there will be one near here

of twenty thousand troops, before many days and the one

to-day was merely a preparatory step.  With the excep-

tion of being tiresome to us, it was very pleasant through-

out.  The review at Munson’s Hill, yesterday was per-

haps the grandest ever witnessed in the United States.—

There were present fifty-five thousand troops, formed into

brigades and divisions; each division of the army formed

by itself, and when they marched in review they moved

in divisions of two companies each only six paces distant

from each other.  In passing any one point they occupied,

four hours.  It was composed of 90 regiments, with ar-

tillery and cavalry besides.  They were drawn up on a

large plain or basin, near two miles in extent, and specta-

tors from some points had an excellent view of the whole

manoeuvering.  This force of itself would make a formida-

ble army, but not one half of the troops over the Potomac

were present, the remainder being employed in guarding

our advance positions.  Some who were present started

yesterday morning at 3 o’clock.  This they were com-

pelled to do, in order that they might be present by 11

o’clock, and after they passed in review started for their

respective camps.  They were fully equipped and armed,

carrying their knapsacks, and, no doubt, a full supply of

cartridges.  Had the rebels been so disposed, it might

have been as made useful as it was an interesting enter-

tainment.

The health of our regiment, continues good, and very

little, if any, home-sickness has made its appearance—a

disease more to be dreaded in an army than the small pox. 

We have lost our battery, but if we be formed into a

brigade under Col. Davis, they will probably come back

to us, as then we will be entitled to a battery.  They have

not yet received their guns, but expect to be supplied

soon.  We still keep our muskets, but are promised the En-

field rifle.  It may be a matter of interest to your many

readers to know the cost of clothing and arming one vol-

unteer.  I send a statement, as far as I can ascertain.--

Cap 63 cents, shoes $1.94, blankets $2.95, coat $6.71, each

pair of stockings 25 cents, stock 14 cents, scales 54 cents,

overcoat $7.20, knapsack $2.57, pants $3.03, straps for

same 12 cents, haversacks 48 cents, flannel shirts 88 cents,

drawers 50 cents each, canteen 40 cents; rifle, without

cartridge box and belts, $20 ; making in all $17.83.

                     Yours, for the war,                             J. M. C.