From the 104th Regiment.

GLOUCESTER POINT, Va., Dec. 2d, 1862.

Messrs. Editors :—I have again returned from picket,

from a duty that must be performed every day—a duty

that must be done in all sorts of weather, even when we

have a nor? east snow storm.  After my return from pick-

et duty to-day, I found something better to partake of

than Government “ grub.”  A day or two since I received

some Bucks county rations from my parents and friends

at home.  What a comfort a kind mother is to a soldier! 

What a blessing to know her feelings and sentiments ! 

There is but one nearer to a soldier, and He can comfort

all in their trials.  While I write, the fife and drum corps

are called upon to escort the remains of a member of the

Battery to the grave.  He lies near the banks o the York

river, far from his Northern home.  No fond, ?

relative hovered around his crude death couch.  When

the sad intelligence shall be received by them, how pain-

ful will be his friends’ feelings.  He died very suddenly ;

when he retired he seemed very well, but in the morning

he was a corpse.  I am again called upon to mention a

painful accident which happened last Sixth-day, while

on fatigue duty.  Company C, while cutting timber to

raise their tents, had one of their number severely hurt. 

He had an arm and leg broken, the latter in two places,

and was also bruised much about his body.  At first he

was not expected to survive, but at present they have

hopes of his recovery.  His name I do not learn.

Our quarters are made very comfortable by raising them

about four feet, which also makes much more room.—

Many thanks are due to Col. Davis for having his men

so snugly fixed.  I hope that we may not be called to

leave this place the coming winter, unless we are or-

dered to peaceful homes in our native Bucks.  To be called

to leave this place, after having fixed it so nicely, to go

into active service, lying out on the ground and suffering

other hardships, would not be very agreeable.  But we

must submit to the powers that be.  Picketing is the

worst enemy that we have to encounter the coming win-

ter, if we remain here.  We should have cavalry pickets

here, as it is so far to travel  to and fro.  But we have no

cause to complain, when so many are on the march, brav-

ing hardships, enduring the cold storms and chilly nights

of December, and contending with the forces of Lee and

Jackson.  When we look at what others are about to en-

counter, I cannot but say, “ The 104th for me, with Col.

Davis for our leader.”

For sometime past we have been looking for General

Dix to review and inspect the troops here.  Last Seventh-

day we were ordered to get ready, as he would certainly

be here.  We brushed and blackened up, and at 12 o’clock

we were ordered in line, with knapsacks on, marched out

on the large plain north of our fort, formed into line, and

left to look long and patiently for Gen. Dix.  After a

while a couple of regiments from Yorktown arrived, and

soon we saw a couple of Generals approaching.  Much to

our chargin, it was Keyes and Naglee, going to have a

brigade drill.  We went through ? ? then came

the drill—and it was a drill?  A drill with knapsack; a

double-quick drill, and a drill with charge-bayonets.  I

really think, by the way the General put us through, that

he is going to have us in active service soon.  I never be-

fore experienced  such a drill.  To make light of it, I will

say that it was fun.  As the number of days in a week

are now limited, we have commenced to drill on the Sab-

bath.  No matter what orders our noble President issues,

regarding a strict observance of the Sabbath, we at this

point cannot obey.  Our drill was the same as on the day

previous, except the knapsack.  A large number refused

to drill.  In some companies not more than five files were

in line, the men objecting to such a drill on the Sabbath. 

I think that six days in a week are enough to drill, but I

obey orders.

We now have our bread baked at Yorktown ; formerly

it came from Fortress Monroe.  Orderly Sergeant Whip-

ple, of Company I, was recently promoted to Sergeant

Major, and Sergeant Glasgow, of Company K, Quarter-

master Sergeant.                    Yours, &c ,             T.  C.

GLOUCETER POINT, VA., Dec. 3d, 1862.

Messrs. Editors :—Judging from past and present cir-

cumstances, we have reason to believe that the 104th will

spend the winter at this place, though it is uncertain, as

the troops have not been ordered into winter quarters,

and all expect an active winter campaign.  Among the

soldiers there is a disposition to end the war, and that by

fighting, so that they can return to their homes, with the

knowledge that we have been victorious, and that the

boastings of the “ chivalry “ have been silenced for-

ever.

Last Sunday forenoon the regiment was inspected by

Col. ——, with the desire of awarding the medal to the

cleanest company, and then to the cleanest man in that

company.  I never saw the regiment look better, or in-

deed so well.  I could perceive no difference in cleanli-

ness among the companies and to decide justly required

great powers of discrimination.  The medal was awarded

to Company C, and Private Oliver has the honor of wear-

ing it first.  It is a silver medal, very handsomely made. 

It is to be awarded to the cleanest man at the regular

Sunday morning inspection, and he is to wear it during

the weak, and be off duty.  Orderly Sergeant Whipple, of

Company I, has been promoted Sergeant Major, vice

Wallazz, promoted.  Private Hallbach, Company D, has

been appointed Commissary Sergeant, vice Brown, dis-

charged.  Lieut. Hinkle (Company G) and Assistant Sur-

geon Hendrie have resigned, and will leave for home soon. 

Quartermaster Hendrie arrived last Saturday evening.—

He was greeted with many good wishes by his numerous

friends in the regiment.  He continues to suffer with the

wound received at Fair Oaks.

Recently, Sunday is our busiest day, the inspection and

brigade drill occupy the whole day.  More than 100 of

the men absented themselves from drill on Sunday last.—

Col. Davis ordered a military commission to convene at

the camp of the 104th, on Dec. 21.  The court consists of

Major E. L. Rogers, President ; Capt. John E. Corcoran,

Company G, and Lieutenant Markley, Judge Advocate. 

The duties of the court will be arduous, as every man who

was absent must be examined and show reasons for his

conduct.

The men are busily engaged in stockading their tents. 

This is done by placing pieces of timber about five feet

long in the ground, perpendicularly, and securing the

tents on top of these timbers.  The cracks are filled with

a sort of clay found near the camp.  This arrangement

affords more room near the camp.  This arrangement

affords more room in the tents, and adds to the comforts. 

The guard-house is finished, and is the best arranged and

most comfortable building of its kind that I have yet seen. 

The sanitary condition of the regiment continues favorable. 

The chills are abating.  Last Friday, John Stafford, of

Company C, met with a serious accident.  The men were

in the woods, engaged in cutting timber, and he was

caught by a falling tree, which fractured his right arm

and leg.  He is in the hospital, doing as well as could be

expected.                                                      L. H. M.