Camp King 8 PM

 

Dr Sister Puss

                        Your letter was recd as I acknowledged in W. I am obliged to you for writing It is all I can say at present. I am a trifle tired to night was at the Fort AM used a shovel pick &c The men at work finishing off a Bomb Proof. PM company drill from 1 to 2 Battalion drill 3 to 5 dress parade 6 or ½5. We had severill new motions to go thro such as escorting the colours saluting &c prayer by the Chaplain The rules & regulations are becoming more & more strict every day. But who cares I dont. / They never have tro me at all how soon they will I know not—

 

I have but a few minutes to write as we have a Roll Call 9 ock and it is most time. I will answer your questions firstly dress parade the Cos are formed in line a place is assigned to each Co as I mk'd plan and when any of the Cos are absent their places are closed up of course. The Cos are marched out in two ranks forming on the centre Co. "which is C" to the right & left having done this the Adjt steps out to the right of the line & by Co A. and calls for Rt & left guides. A Sgt then steps out from the foot of each Co

But it is roll call          Look at 2^nd Sheet /

 

Fort Ward 11 ock AM

I left of writing last night rather abruptly. Co^s D F & C are on guard at the fort to day. there are 4 Regts on 3 hours off 6. We are [?] I am on the 4^th We shall be on from 6 to 9 PM & from 6 to 9 AM We go to camp about 9 AM tomorrow. We have nothing to do until we go on gd But have to stay near when our guns are stacked.

 

We can read or write. I have no paper as yet so I will write. They say to step out one from the left of each Co. some 2 or 3 paces in front of our line and line themselves from the Rt as you can see that it would be perfectly easy for ten men to step out "some 50 ft more or less" apart "The Sergnt Major is at the left of the line He sees that they are in line" and to get themselves in line This done the Adjt gives command left dress / which order is repeated by each Capt We then come forward and dress our selves in line with the Srgts our heads are turned to the left so that we can the Buttons on 2^nd or 3^rd mans jacket Buttons from us over our nose with the Rt eye a command front is given & we then face the front Rt dress of course is the reverse. "Man at shoulder arms" the Adjt guides past the Srgt step to their places then gives the command at the Rt to order arms which is done by company commencing at A and as fast as each Co orders arms the Capt of the next steps out & gives the command to order arms. then parade rest. The Band then comes from the Rt marches down in front & returns same of course playing. The Adjt  says attention Battallion. Shoulder arms then prepare to open ranks to the rear open order. at this Srgts step backward 4 paces and line themselves as before. As soon as the adjt sees that the Srgts are lined he says March and the rear rank marches backward / 4 steps rear rank right dress is then given. then the adjt marches down keeping 10 ft or so in front of the Battallion untill he comes to the Centre Co. then he turns and marches about half way between the Batn & Col. who has taken his place in front of the Centre Co & some 50 ft from them. He then faces around to the B. and says present arms at which we bring our guns in front from a shoulder and the Col touches his hat. Then the adjt presents arms himself to the Col. then takes his place & in rear of Col. The Col then drills us in manual or as he pleases the adjt then takes his place in front and says Non commissioned officers to the front & center at which the Orderly Srgt of each Co. their place is at the Rt of each Co step out 3 paces in front at the command march they march to the center front they face the adjt. report they give no of their Co present or absent to your post march by return. then the adjt turns to the Col and gives their reports. then he reads / orders for next day if he has any. if not he says parade is dismissed if there is to be prayer or drill he says line will remain the Commissioned Officers who I forgot to say at the command rear ranks open order they all step in front 3 paces and dress from the Rt. March to the center front then face & march in line up to Col and salute him. after which if the line is not to remain the Cos are given over to Srgt who takes them to their quarters. this is a dress parade and we have to go thro with every night unless some thing turns up—

 

But here is a Herald—

 

5 PM most dark didnt read much I will send Clipper to morrow took a walk with Chesmore some mile or so didnt see any thing worthy of note. It is damp to night a trifle chilly &c last night was cold and ½10 it com'd to rain very hard and quit 4 or 5 AM it was very tough for the guard. I was in luck in my tent Whitteman was out He said it was the hardest night he had seen

 

Sunday Eve 7 PM

A pleasant eve but chilly to day has been cold except 3 hours in the middle of the day the sun came out warm rather cold & strong west wind. I got into some shavings of a carpenters bench last night But it was very cold a raw wind. I was awaked up severall times by the Srgts hunting for their reliefs so did not sleep much or get any good sound sleep. I had to begin on another sheet as i did not take this along I will send you a book some time that may perhaps give you some insight into our drills I hope you will excuse my description of dress parade and of course you mustnt show my letters to any one out of the family I recd Clipper pictorial also pictures of girls for Frank & Fanny will send the dutchman some thing the first chance I have. I bot some paper and these were with them We are under marching orders and I dont know where we shall go or when there has or was yesterday & last night quite a stir amongst / the Regts all around us our men were all in line at 6 AM But the order was counter manded in the first place we were to be left at the fort then we were relieved by the 15^th We came into camp 10 AM since then till 4 PM we had nothing to do but clean our guns and get ready for inspection. Knapsacks & all on the inspection lasted 2 hours from 4 till 6 PM We were dismissed and left to eat supper in peace Bread & Tea We have Sugar found us by U.S. Milk is ten cts per Qt I have not drunk any but once or twice since I left Albany. I dont care much for it you know. By the way the com neglected to send our supper up to the Fort last night so we sent down for it. It came about ½8 good hot tea & a loaf of new bread I was on guard Chesmore brot mine to me. I can safely say that it tasted good

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