Union News, Broome County, New York, October 17, 1861
Camp Leslie, Hall's Hill, Va., Oct. 4th, 1861
Friend News: According to promise not to write very often, I will once more remind you that the Maine boys are still live soldiers, and anxiously awaiting an opportunity to test their ability to cope with the enemies of the flag that floats over our encampment.
The long interval since I last wrote you contains many events of interest to ourselves, and perhaps to friends at home, yet I have not time to give you more than a brief outline of our progress.
From Elmira to New York our journey was pleasant, and as interesting as the hearty congratulations of friends along the line could make it, until tired and worn out, we arrived upon the Battery and there pitched our tents, 'twas said, to rest for a couple of days. Once more, after two busy days, in which, instead of resting we worked harder than ever, to distribute ammunition and arms, we packed up, and after a pleasant ride across the Bay, arrived at Amboy, and ten minutes after were in the cars for Philadelphia. Our trip across the Bay was unusually interesting, as many had never had a ride upon the water, while those who had, found plenty of objects with which to entertain themselves. We passed close to Prince Napoleon's little frigate, and the cheers that rose in answer to our shout, told the old story over again, that the true countrymen of LaFayette love the cause of Republican Governments just as well as in the days of '76.
Our ride to Philadelphia was without particular interest. But our stop there, though short, was as pleasant as a good supper, furnished and served by the ladies of the Quaker city could make it. Some of the boys promised them that if they escaped "secesh" bullets, they would come right back there to select a partner with which to enlist during life. When we reached Baltimore, we were greeted by the waving of handkerchief, as we passed through the same streets that were disgraced by the scenes of the memorable 19th of April.
Occasionally, I thought I could detect some scowling countenances among the better classes, but I heard no word of opposition, except from one woman who hurrahed for Jeff Davis; but she did not do it but once before a policeman stepped up and compelled her to leave the street. The poorer classes seemed to enjoy the sight of Union troops, with a zeal that those who are differently situated can scarcely appreciate. But the most amusing feature, which is not without its moral, was the broad grinner complacency with which the negroes viewed our transit. Tired and worn, we reached Washington and slept upon the floor of the second story of an old business house, each company occupying a separate room. I considered myself more fortunate than my neighbors, in procuring a table to sleep upon. My baggage not having arrived, one of the boys kindly offered me his blanket, insisting that his overcoat was all he needed, and so rolling myself in my blanket upon my novel bedstead, I soon forgot Philadelphia ladies, Baltimore riots and Washington accommodations for soldiers, and knew no more until the day was breaking.
That day we went into camp in the outskirts of the city, where we remained four or five days, and then we were ordered over the river into camp in rear of Fort Corcoran. There we remained two days and then took up our line of march towards the enemy's pickets, and came to our present encampment, where we expect to remain for a week or two.
Our present position is in sight of Hall's House, which it will be remembered was burned by the rebels about ten days ago. We are also near Munson's Hill, from which they were driven last Saturday night.
Our boys all enjoy camp life very much, and they have some jolly times I can tell you. The most tedious duties are standing guard, our Colonel being very strict in this particular, more so than many encampments near here. We are almost the only camp that keeps a guard around its own Regiment. Commanders seem to be somewhat loose in this particular, thinking, I suppose, that it is useless to keep a strong guard around a camp that is in no apparent danger. This is a great mistake, as troops can never do guard duty efficiently until they have had experience, which can only be safely obtained by constant vigilance when there is no apparent danger. The teachings of this war prove that some of the most serious accidents have occurred by ignorant sentinels not doing duties which they had never learned. But the present indications are that ours will soon become a model corps in this particular, as well as in many others.
Yesterday we were assigned to the third Brigade of Gen. Porter's Division. This morning our new Brigadier General, Daniel Butterfield, took up his headquarters with our Regiment, where he will at present remain. His appointment is of recent date, though his experience is said to be considerable as Col. of one of the first New York Regiments. We are now within two miles of our old friends, the brave boys of the 27th, who so nobly did their duty upon the fatal field of Bull's Run. We have none of us yet been to see them, nor have they visited us. Our rules are so strict that we cannot get out, and I presume that they do not know that we are so near. The prospect of an immediate fight is not very good, and some begin to complain of the delay. The effects of war are plainly discernable there in the ravaged field, the trodden corn, the vacant house, and the desolate plantation. The people of the north may faintly realize the horrors of war, and perhaps feel, to a limited extent, the deplorable condition of a community filled with armed men, but they must see to understand fully what it is to be near a great army. Often in the night, a farm, with its entire paraphernalia is converted into a huge camp, the fences are piled up by the kitchen fires, the old landmarks are removed to make room for tents and carrals, the fields are covered with white tents, pitched regularly along newly graded streets, ditches and sinks have been digged, and what was an ordinary plantation a few hours before, has become the busy, bustling home of thousands of men, whose glittering arms flash in the light of the rising sun, reminding one of some fairy tale, until he almost imagines that the wonderful lamp of Aladdin has been found, and that the days of the Geull have returned. But this is all reality. And now the stirring reveille rouses thousand of armed men from their tents and in an instant the streets are filled with life, and the duties of the day commence. Some companies go out on "picket guard," others upon camp guard, and still others as working parties and to drill. Every man is armed ready for an instant fight, with two days rations in his haversack, ready to march at a moments notice. Those who knew this country a few months ago would not now recognize it as the "peaceful Old Dominion" of historic recollections. But facts are facts. This rebellion has produced the change, which will last until treason is crushed and peace once more restored.
O.E Hine.
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