Item Details

contributor

Valentine, Herbert E.

coverage

P.3, P.4

date

2008-12-12T15:36:23Z

2010-06-14T20:18:15Z

2008-12-12T15:36:23Z

2010-06-14T20:18:15Z

1861 (issued)

description

"Have now a most beautiful spot for an encampment. It is just on the margin of a fine piece of woodland, the tall pines affording us a shelter from the cold winds and storms. Our ten kitchens (log cabins put up by our men and covered with boughs,) are situated some distance on front of the camp; then just on the edge of the woods come the line of Company tents, extending back into the woods, up a gentle slope some three or four hundred feet, each Co. having its street say fifteen feet wide on the left of its line of tents. The companies each have six tents for the rank & file, and one for the commissioned officers. In the rear of the encampment are the quarters of the field and staff. The wagons, Hospital teams and ambulances, as well as the horses are arranged around the rear of all, and the camps presents a most picturesque appearance especially at night, the numerous camp fires burning brightly, the white tents lighted up, and the deep forest affording an admirable background for the picture. Then the music of our fine band with the distant sounds of harmony from the various regl. bands encamped all around us with the singing of the men in their tents , make it to me, a most interesting scene. xxx A little party of us went out Wed. afternoon to get Holly and evergreen for our Thanksgiving decorations, and our Co. street presents a most cheerful appearance. Each tent has on the top outside a fine branch of Holly, the bright red berries contrasting finely with the dark green leaves of this most beautiful shrub. There we have under the superintendence of Capt. J. A. Emmerton arranged arches, mottoes, &etc. Under the principal arch just before the Co. H. Q. hangs a round tablet with the words "God save the Commonwealth of Mass., ���Co. F.�۪" Altogether our headquarters have been the center of attraction for the Regiment." H.E.V.

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/3970

language

English

rights

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subject

Annapolis (Md.)

Camp Life

Chamber, Major

Emmerton, James Arthur, 1834-1888

Letters

Massachusetts Infantry. 23rd Regiment

Thanksgiving

Whipple, George Manton, 1830-

title

Extracts from a letter of Capt. Geo. M. Whipple in the Gazette- 1861- our camp at Annapolis.

type

Text