Thoughtfully curated historical journalism
Camp Dupont, Jan. 3, 1862.
Correspondence of the American.
We are in camp on the same old place, and nothing of any interest has transpired since I last wrote. We have had very disagreeable weather for the last three three weeks, it having rained nearly three-fourths of the time. As the getting about is very bad, we have been obliged to stay in camp nearly the whole time, without harnessing out. The roads are in a very bad condition, and it looks to me as if there could be nothing done at present in the way of making a forward movement, and should there be one now the artillery will be obliged to remain behind.
The Twelfth Regiment is to leave for the war next week, it is said. One indication is that the Quartermaster advertises to sell all the lumber used in the construction of temporary buildings in camp, at auction.
Secretary Stanton is reported as having said that “the army must now earn its living.” The men are ready and impatient to do it.
The First Connecticut Battery of Artillery has embarked for Port Royal. They have Parrott rifled cannon. The total number of men is 154, and they take 134 horses and about ten tons of ammunition.
Camp Griffin, VA., Jan. 10, ’62
Owing the almost unbearable inactivity of this army and the bad weather we are now having, there has been nothing of any importance going on, for some time, until last Friday night the 17th instant, when, after tramping around all day through mud of a sufficient depth to cover a small sized dog, we stowed ourselves snugly away in the tents, thinking thereby we would escape the mud for a night at least, and be better able to toil with it the next day.
Our peaceful slumbers and happy thoughts were however, destined to be of short duration. We had just got into a good sound sleep, and were dreaming of the gentle ones we left behind us, when the “Bugle Sounded.” “Boots and Saddles,” it being then near 12 o’clock. Immediately thereafter could be heard the commanding and well-known voices of the Colonel’s and Company Commanders, as they rode up and down the lines, calling for the men to come out. Ten minutes after ‘‘boots and saddles” had been sounded, the assembly call was made, and ten minutes thereafter, the “Cameron Regiment of Dragoons” were all in line, ready, willing, and waiting, for a set to with the Enemy.—In that position we stood fora short time, when an orderly came with a message from the General, telling us to go to our quarters. We had just made a start for the stables, when down came another messenger telling us to stand in line so we stood, (poor deluded creatures) until two o’clock, when we were again ordered in, and to keep our horses all ready, which we did until morning. And thus ended the anticipated fight.