Union News, Broome Co., NY, September 19, 1861
Camp Versos, Sept. 18, 1861
Mr. Benedict: Today I have been engaged in the pleasing occupation of ditching, and am not very full of "passing events," consequently. Yesterday our Regiment was ordered to march, and we took peaceable possession of a high hill, about 1-1/2 miles from our Old Camp. Our whole Brigade is here at present, engaged in building a Fort, which commands a range of "the country round about," and which I think will be called after our much esteemed commander, Gen. Slocum.
We are, as far as situation is concerned, "all o.k." But we are decidedly "after the old sort," in respect of "fodder." Really, Mr. B. I do not wish to complain, but if our patience is ever tried it is now. We have plenty of pork and coffee, with a slight sprinkling of other things, but, as you are aware, I am not over partial to the former article, and consequently naturally take to the other things. Something, though, appeared to "assuage our grief," in the shape of a new gun, called the "Springfield Rifle musket," and are much like the Mime musket. The men are fairly wild over the change and I do not believe you could lure one to keep his out of sight, for a few hours.
In my last, I forgot to note the appearance in our midst of Mr. Jerome Mersereau, son of John P. Mersereau, of your Burgh. He is Drummer Boy in Company H., but is already so homesick he can hardly relish his dinner. He won't acknowledge it, however, and I presume it's all right. Among our new recruits is Will Johnson, brother to Dr. L.M. Johnson, your neighbor. Will is a good boy, much like his brother, and will made a good soldier.
The other day, I was out on picket again. W.H. Gates, myself, and one or two others, went out on the outposts and Corp. Coleman of our Company and Yours Respectfully were detailed as a guard for Col. Mason's House. This gentleman is in command of the Ordinance Department at Richmond and does not show himself at home at all. His brother, Dr. Mason deserted his property, hiding a splendid library in the Corn crib. Mr. Gates returned to camp with a goodly selection of books, some of them being more than two hundred years old. It is a pity that such valuable works should be destroyed, or even scattered in camp. They do no good here, and I am glad to learn that Mr. G. intends to send his home.
The view from the home of Col. Mason is grand enough. You can look down the valley to the Potomac, eight miles distant, no hills intervening to shut from view the vessels in the distance. The valley is about two miles across, and is cultivated to a great extent. It is the loveliest vale I have [ever seen] in the South and I would vote it the finest I ever saw, but for the reason that nobody but secessionists have or own property here.
At night, we returned to the main body of our men, under command of Capt. Charles Wells of Co. [?] where we found "His Highness on board," him looking [?], when one of his boys had taken him [for] a secessionist. The day before, five darkies belonging to the owner of the house, ran away and went to camp with the 26th N.Y. Regiment. The owner's second loss somewhat riled him, and he threatened to have the whole rebel force on us by night. We were kept awake during the night and once were firmly convinced that we were about to be attacked. Added to this, the cold wind which arose during the night we were in no very enviable state. The night passed as all others, do, only seeming much longer than any other we had ever lived through. We were much disappointed in not having a good time, for we fully calculated on an attack, and were ready for five times our number. The Maine 5th Regiment relieved us.
Charles Van Dusen, Bony Bacon, and all the rest are well. Not one of them, to my knowledge is sick of soldiering.
Blockhead has just returned from Dr. Mason's with a large package of Books. He won't be fit for anything until he gets them read through.
Good bye! We are called out on Dress Parade, and so I must close.
Your, Hib
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