Poughkeepsie Eagle Jan. 9, 1862
Camp Hamilton, Dec. 31
Dear Eagle:
I presume most of your readers will be surprised to see this letter headed as it is, but I could not refrain from writing one from this, our old camp ground. I arrived in Baltimore safely on Saturday morning, and after breakfast took a walk to Federal Hill to see my old companions in the gallant 5th. Most of them were glad to see me and hear from home. They had just moved into barracks and were comfortably situated.
Of course I could not stop long for there was other business for my attendance. And serious too, it proved, for I lay on a sick bed in the Monumental City until Sunday morning. But I had fallen into good hands and was well taken care of. Well I left Baltimore on Sunday evening in the steamer Georgianna. She is a fine boat but will not compare with our North River floating palaces either in speed or accommodations. However, she was my only means of conveyance, and of course I had no alternative.
We arrived safely at this place yesterday about 7 A.M. and I soon found that the hotel was full, so I was in a nice predicament. The boat for Eastville did not leave Fort Monroe until the next day, and here I was, in a strange place, without a "place to rest my weary head." Happily I recollected that the 20th Regiment (Turner Rifles) was encamped at this place, so I proceeded to throw myself on their tender mercies - and well did they act the Good Samaritan for I have never been better treated in my life. They seemed to vie with each other in rendering me those acts of kindness that are proverbial among people of their nationality. As you are well aware Po’keepsie is represented among them, Lieut. Charles Courtenir is the gentleman to whom I am mostly indebted, and he is well known at home. The rest of the boys from Po’keepsie are all well and send their respects home to their friends.
A week ago Sunday an attack was made upon the pickets of this regiment, the particulars of which affray were published in the papers. This place is altered a little since we left it last summer. What recollections crowd my mind as I gaze upon the spot where Duryea’s Zouaves marched so gallantly last May, and think of the changes that took place so soon after on the memorable 10th of June when 8 of their number laid down their lives through the blunder of a Yankee politician, as Gen. Pierce is yet called. Truly his skirts can never be cleared of that blood, and Big will Bethel always be remembered against him.
Quite a little stir was caused here Sunday by the boldness of a rebel steamer that hovers around Sewell’s Point. The Express, an old tow boat was going to Newport News with a lighter filled with water in convoy. Neither had any guns on board, and as they passed the Point, this saucy little craft boldly put out for them. She fired one gun and then running around the steamer fired the second gun before anything could be done to render assistance. To cap the climax, she succeeded in cutting out the schooner of water and took her around the point. It created considerable stir, and this morning a gun boat went with the Express to guard her while she was engaged in the same business.
There is scarcely anything else new in this neighborhood. The Government is hard at work taking care of her soldiers, and an endless task it seems to be. But I must close for there comes the Steamer Geo. Washington to take me to Eastville. I have a great deal to write, but I will have to postpone it till my next.
For the information of my friends, I would say that my address will be hereafter Lieut. S. H. Bogardus, Co. H, Purnell’s Legion, Eastville, Northampton Co., Va.
S.H.B., Jr.