Camp Gillies Mt. Carmel Pa. Dec. 30^th '63

 

            This is a beautiful clear day. we have just come in from inspection, had all hands mounted to see what articles have been lost. found quite a number of watering reins, feedbags, currycombs, brushes, spurs, &c. among the missing—had sort of a grab game the boys in that lost by carelessness, wanting to make up off others. some of the boys are getting very anxious about getting Home. Their is not much of importance going on in military line. The "big Meetin" appears to absorb evry thing at present, has been in blast for more than a week & is likely to last for some time. last night their was 11 mourners out. night before 8, among the no. were 5 or 6 of our boys—several have got through. if they be the means of making any reformation on our fellows it will be a fine thing. Bro. Hagen is the same man who preached at our place. they consider him a powerful preacher—is pretty good for a M.E.—very flowr'y & equally full of words with good lungs. His intended bride was among the inquirers sister-inlaw to Bro. Montilus one of the most prominent members they have. their appears to be a lack of leading men would be a fine opening for some of the Millers. the most of the church going people here attend the M.E. church. about a dozen attend the Luth.—Rev. Barnitz—who preaches at the School house evry two weeks. also a congregation of Welsh at the S. house. the remainder of the men go a hunting on sunday & fix up wagons to go to work on Mon. Was at Ashland at church on Sun. the have got an organ or some other instrument to help sing praises. Was not surprised to hear that Jas. Witherow was not very well pleased with / his visit here. I saw it before he left. the Cap^t dont care any thing about him at best & the other got the preference. did'nt listen to his long stories as he should have done. Noonan & C. treated on the prospect of the Iron buissiness & let Ja^s seek his own entertainment. but then he is "my manager" I treated them both as well as I could without making any particular fuss about them was pleased to see them. almost came to the same conclusion about Jim, as Major Gillies did of Lieut. Franklin said he was a right tub of guts, with some other adjectives. he told some of the boys of the Cap^t way of doing buisiness at Home but if he only knew he did not get much credit for it. It is a hard matter for a man to keep a Co. of such fellows in proper subjection out side of a Reg^t he ought to remember that he 'cant govern his own household. Will has been sick for several days with sore throat—is better today—reported he had the small pox—can get any report started we want. he was in a little room in the basement with a dozen of others. all the dirt & filth—with several "calves"—that accumulated for 2 weeks enough to kill a sound man. Last Tues. & Wed. a week was over in Shanokin Valley to buy hay. could not buy, had to press a load, happened on a good union stayed over night did'nt charge me any thing for lodging has a well built sister pretty smart. came home next day—very cold Carl Gallaher had his pistol stolen & 4 or 5 others among the missing Cap. has just come in from making a reconnoisance—has suspicion on a fellow in the house had him arrested—wants one to go to Pottsville to transact some buissiness—would rather stay by the stove as it has the appearance of storm—must stop writing & start.

Thurs 31^st Meeting progressing                                                          W Rufus Noble

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