From the 104th Regiment.

GLOUCESTER POINT, Va.,

December 15, 1862.

Messrs. Editors :—We have had beautiful weather

here for the last week—warm and pleasant.  I only hope

that it has been as delightful weather for our noble and

glorious army under Gen. Burnside, that true and faithful

General.  May he receive as glorious a victory in Virginia

as he did in her sister State, the state of North Carolina—

the capture of Newbern and Roanoke Island.  God grant

him success !  Success and victory is upon the hearts of

all true patriots !  I firmly believe that we now have a

faith in Gen. Burnside than any one that has yet taken

the field.  When he strikes, he strikes for his country ! 

for the Union ! for that Starry Banner that floats on high ! 

—that banner that waves so beautifully over the forts at

Yorktown and Gloucester!

I learn that Burnside has made the move—that he has

crossed the Rappahannock,—that a terrible fight is im-

minent.  We shall now look for the speedy downfall of

Richmond.  The papers will be much looked for at the

present and future.  May the glad tidings of a glorious

victory soon reach our camp!  May that grand achive-

ment under Burnside, will that noble band of Reserves in

the advance, be read with delight throughout the whole

army, before another week shall pass away.

During the past week our brigade (except the 104th)

with the New York battery, made a reconnoissance up,

and beyond Gloucester Court House, under the command

of Gen. Naglee.  They returned last night about 11

o’clock, having been gone about a week.  Last night they

brought with them about 180 head of sheep, and 60 head

of cattle.  A few days before this they brought in a large

drove of hogs and sheep.  As far as cattle, sheep and

hogs are concerned, the expedition proved to be a good

one.  I have not learned that they captured any Rebs. —

I learn than Gen. Naglee took it all upon himself, and

went without orders from his superior.  I expect he

thought while Gen. Keyes was at Washington, attending

a court-martial, it would be a good time for him to make

a reconnoissance.  I also learn that Keyes sent a dispatch

after Naglee upon his return from Washington, or else,

perhaps, Brigadier Henry would have spent another week

at the C. H.  By his going on the reconnoissance we es-

caped a brigade drill yesterday (the Sabbath) ; but we

have our share at picket the past week—our regiment

having it all to do.  Three companies being detailed every

day, brought us on picket or guard duty about every

other day.

We have a regiment of Militia here at Gloucester ;—

They are numbered the 169th Regiment.  Their officers

are as green as the men.  Commissioned and non-com-

missioned officers are detailed out of our regiment to drill

their officers of the same rank.  I will find no fault with

the privates ; but I do think that it is not right to have

such green ; officers when plenty of well drilled soldiers

can be found in the ranks of the old regiments.

That long-looked for grand review, by Gen. Dix, has

at last come off.  The rest of the brigade was over from

Yorktown by 10 o’clock, and formed in line on the larger

plain.  The brigade band accompanied them.  After

being in line a short time we beheld the steamer ap-

proaching Yorktown.  We could see that it contained a

General, by the number of flags displayed.  Soon the

General was on the ground, and the usual salute of thir-

teen guns was fired, and then he commenced to review us. 

After review Gen. Naglee put us through a brigade drill. 

We drilled until about 1 o’clock, and then came in and

partook of a sumptuous cup of sweetened water inter-

mixed with coffee.  It was a wholesome beverage, and a

rarity for dinner.  About 3 o’clock we were ready for

(line unreadable) did.

The paymaster at last, made his visit here last Sixth-

day (the 12th.) and paid us the greenbacks due us.  We

received four months pay, but having lost so much in

the clothing line, our bill of clothing was more than

Uncle Sam allow us.  I learn that the men will be paid

for the clothing they lost at the battle of Fair Oaks, and

for that lost at Harrison’s Landing.    Yours, &c.  T. C.

GLOUCESTER POINT, VA., Dec. 17th, 1862.

Messrs. Editors :—The long-looked for Paymaster

made his appearance on Thursday evening last.  The

muster and pay roll were signed during the evening by

the men—the law requires that every man must sign the

roll before he can draw his pay, and if any are absent,

though they were mustered, they cannot draw their pay. 

Even if the roll was signed, the money cannot be drawn

by any other party.  The rule acted upon by our paymas-

ter is that every man must personally draw the money

due him, or be without the many advantages of having

it.  This shows a marked change since the first time we

were paid off.  Then the Captain drew the amount due

his men, and paid it to them.  The regiment drew more

money than at any previous time, as we were paid for

four months, and many of the men had eight months’ pay

due them.

This being the last payment for the first year, the cloth-

ing account was settled.  Nearly every man had drawn

more clothing than is allowed by the Government.  The

value of this excess of clothing was deducted from the

pay of those who had overdrawn, causing some dissatis-

faction among the men, as no allowance was made for the

clothing lost at Fair Oaks and on the retreat to Harrison’s

Landing.  The Government allows every enlisted man

$3.50 per month for clothing.  This will keep the men

well clothed, providing they are not unfortunate with it. 

Col. Van Wyck the soldiers’ friend, has introduced a bill

in Congress to have the soldiers allowed for losses sus-

tained in clothing during the Peninsula campaign.  By

his prompt action, the Colonel is making many friends in

the army.  He knows from experience what it is to be a

soldier—to endure the hardships of a campaign.  Such

alone can appreciate the requirements and necessities of

a soldier, and we have reason to feel grateful that we have

one advocate in Congress who has experienced the vicissi-

tudes of a soldier’s life, to care for our interests.

As long after pay-day as the men have money, the sut-

lers reap a rich harvest by their exorbitant prices.  They

charge 40 cents per pound for butter that some suppose

was made soon after the discovery of America, and which

is so well scented that it need not be put close to one’s

nasal organ to learn the smell.  Ham is selling at 18

cents per pound.  Col. Davis gave permission for establish-

ing two oyster shops outside the south sally port, on the

river-bank.  The proprietors are doing an unusually good

business, at the expense of the men’s pockets, charging

such prices at their meanness will permit them to ask.—

Every secessionist inside the lines appears to have an in-

terest in this money-making business.  They charge as

much for oysters, an in some instances more, than they

cost in Philadelphia.  But at a recent meeting of the

Council of Administration, the prices were reduced to less

than one-half what they had been selling for, and these

oyster merchants must adhere to the fixed price; or shut

up shop.  It was also agreed by the council that three or

more boats be procured for the regiment, and that several

darkies be detailed to fish oysters for the men.  This will

meet the approbation of every man, as it will afford a

change in diet without individual cost, and be a saving to

the Government in transportation ; it will also enhance

each Company fund.  It is said that the rebels, when en-

camped here, had regular daily details for shooting duck

and oyster-dredging, thus saving much expense.  We have

many things to learn in order to live according to the

fashion in Virginia.

Recently a novel arrangement in military etiquette

was introduced in the regiment.  Hereafter, the Lieu-

tenant-Colonel and Major are to conduct the dress parades

alternately—the Lieutenant-Colonel one week and the

Major the next.

Last Thursday morning four regiments of infantry, two

squadrons of cavalry and one battery of artillery left this

place, to make a reconnoissance in force.  The infantry

went as far as Gloucester C. H., and the cavalry foraged

through the northern part of the county, capturing a large

number of sheep, hogs, cattle, horses, and mules, and hav-

ing a fine time generally.  The captures richly paid for

the trouble of visiting the rebels up county, and I pre-

sume they are not anxious to be favored with another and

similar visit.  Our troops met with no opposition.  The

cavalry were fired on once by guerrillas in ambush, who

immediately fled.  No one was hurt, nor did the rebels

gain anything, for Naglee retaliated by ordering two tan-

neries, the barracks at the Court-House, and other prom-

inent rebel property, to be burnt.  The General endeav-

ored to learn the sentiments of the people by asking such

as he met, whether they were for or against the United

States Government.  It is said that on meeting an auda-

cious rebel in front of a fine house, he asked him what his

sentiments were.  “I am a secessionist—sympathize with

the Confederate cause, and am not afraid to acknowledge

it,” replied the man.  Naglee told him it was right if he

thought so, and ordered his house and its contents to be

burned that night.  In dealing with the General, they

will find that he is inclined to have things his own way,

and that he is disposed to care for “ Uncle Samuel’s” in-

terests to a very great degree.  It will be well for them

when they catch the General napping.

The weather has been very fine during the past week—

warm and pleasant during the day, with light frost at

night.                                                            L.  H.  M.