Chenango American, Norwich, NY, October 9, 1862
Letter from 114th Regiment N.Y.S.A.
Headquarters 114th Reg. N.Y.S.V., Camp Belger, Sept. 28, 1862
Eds Chenango American: Pursuant to agreement I now send you a few lines. It is easy to promise to write, but very hard while in camp to fulfill. We are busy from morning to night. At 5:30 A.M., the reveille; at 6:12 A.M., breakfast; surgeons call, 7:30 A.M.; guard mounting, 8:12 A.M.; forenoon drill from 9:12 to 11 A.M.; Dinner, 12 P.M.; drill again from 1:12 to 3 P.M.; dress parade, 4:12 P.M.; retreat 6 P.M.; tattoo, 8 P.M.; taper (extinguishing lights);, 9 P.M.. Thus you see we are kept busy.
You have seen photographs of Camp Belger. It is a beautiful place. Baltimore and the bay are in full view from the camp. the city cars run to within thirty rods of the camp. The camp is laid out with as much regard to angles, as the "city of Brotherly Love," and is kept as scrupulously clean. There are many fine old oaks on the ground that furnish a most desirable shade. I have a tree close to my tent on the right and one directly in front. The latter is called the Post Office. The camp at night presents a picturesque appearance.
There is not a better camp in the State. Our Regiment is in high repute here. It is said by good military men that it is the finest looking Regiment in the service.
I have slept upon the floor ever since I have been here. It comes rather hard, especially for the lean kind of men. Our bread, pork and coffee is good, but the beef is tough. The corned beef by the boys is called "Salt Horse." We have potatoes once a day, beans twice a week and rice and hominy occasionally. I have never had better bread. No one that is well need go hungry.
The 116th New York is just back of us in camp, just across one lot. It does not compare at all with ours. Friday night last a man tried to run the guard, and for his temerity had a bayonet run through him, killing him instantly. The guardsman was yesterday promoted. Lieut. Donnelly of Co. E, is the officer of the guard today, and about 4 P.M. although Sunday, a man of Co. K talked back and made some threats, upon which the lieutenant knocked him down and ordered a Corporal to bind him and put him in the guard house.
J.C.S. of Greene makes a bully Corporal. A few nights ago he was Corporal of the guard when a Lieutenant of our Regiment being a little excited from frequent libations of Baltimore whiskey, put on airs. The little Corporal promptly -?- him at the -?-.
A few days since, I was introduced to Sergt. Riley of the 8th Illinois Cavalry. He had just returned from the great battle of Harper's Ferry, wounded in the knee slightly. He goes by the name of the "infant." He is tall, 6 feet 6 inches, not at all inclined to fat, and weighs 230. Four of Uncle Sam's horses have yielded to his weight and have gone the way of all horses. Last Wednesday he was standing upon the deck, witnessing the embarkation of some rebel prisoners for Fort Delaware, when a Baltimorean crowded up and cheered them. The crowd cried "Put him in the river." Man turned to flee, but the "infant" caught him and with one swing threw him ten feet from the deck into the drink, and then offered to deck the man that attempted to help him out. No one tried it, and the disciple of Jeff Davis, departed this life in tears. Baltimore is full of traitors. Fear is all that keeps the city quiet. A few days since I was at the Relay House, and while there about 300 rebel prisoners were brought in from the battle fields.
I have read the newspaper accounts, and have thought them highly colored, but I am forced to admit that they fulfill as badly as any representation I have seen. Not a man had a full uniform, some were barefooted, some stocking footed, some had nothing but drawers. They were dirty, ragged and lousy. Such a God forsaken looking set of men you never set eyes upon.
We don't know as much here of the movements of the army as you do at Greene.
When we shall move from here no one knows, probably not soon. Our Regiment may all be required for guard at different places. Last Wednesday eleven men were taken from each company to guard a hospital in the city. The next day all of Co. I, were taken about 8 miles from the city to guard a bridge. Today the 1st Lieut. of Co. H has been ordered to take 50 men several miles off to another hospital. Co. F has been ordered to Prince, George county, Md., to assist the enrolling officer in the draft. Thus you see Gen. Wool is day by day detailing us for guard duty in different places. When we shall be called together again as a Regiment, no one can tell.
There are many things whereof I might write pertaining to the Regiment and matters and things about here, but I have not the time. Quite a number of Chenango men have visited us, and among others E.G. Kinney and L.R. Hitchcock, of Greene. Hitchcock had quite a notion to stay. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain.
Very truly yours, Steel Pen
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