Poughkeepsie Eagle Oct, 12, 1861

Army Correspondence
Camp Federal Hill
Monday, Oct. 8, 1861

Dear Eagle:

Supposing as you take an interest in everything pertaining to Po’keepsie, thought a letter from me would be acceptable. I think I will tell you what little news is stirring here. In the first place let me tell you that the Poughkeepsie Boys are well thought of in the regiment. The officers make non-commissioned officers of them. Even our old friend Atkins, who, like Ceasar’s wife, was above suspicion, has been made a corporal. So you see the name of Po’keepsie will not soon fade.

Supposing your readers would like to hear about our batteries. I would say that they are almost finished, and we are mounting the guns daily, and we expect soon to have 64 guns mounted, all of them 42 lbs Columbiads. They will command the whole city of Baltimore and the adjacent territory. Visitors flock by every day to view the works and the Zou Zous as they affectionately call us. A slight difference between them and our friends in Virginia, who nicknamed us "Red Devils". The inhabitants of the "Monument City" treat us very courteously and we are overrun with invitations to dinner and supper, most of which we are compelled to decline. In fact I have now in my possession an invitation to a "Sociable" to be held this evening, and which I am compelled to refuse, although it was arranged especially for me.

The paymaster was here last week, and [?] in abundance is to be found in camp. But this state of affairs [?] for those that are constantly intoxicated are soon out of money. Even still, [?] was to the 5^th Regiment [?] exceeds is in sobriety and [?]. When the boys were last paid off, the Post office was crowded with our soldiers eager to send home some part of their pay. [?] of Red and Yellow clay, streaked with [?] and white sand. We have [?] working in the trenches. It is strange to see men who never [?] hard [?] away with pick axe or shovel. [?] it they had been [?] work all the days of their lives. Their hands - which a [?] knew nothing heavier than a kid glove, covered with blisters which they did not mind, but worked until the drum beat the [?]. All this was done as systematic as if done to Hardee’s Tactics. But my paper is getting long and I must close with the promise of writing something in the future. Wishing [?] life to the [?] and the success of the Republican ticket. I remain yours, & etc.

S.H. Bogardus, Jr.
Comp. C, 5^th Reg.