Poughkeepsie Eagle Jan. 24, 1862
Headquarters, Eastville, Northampton Co., Va.
Jan. 15, ’62.
Dear Eagle:
Although I have not seen your paper for some time, still perhaps you would like to hear again from me. I am pleasantly situated on a neck of land at the intersection of King’s Creek, Cherry Stone Inlet and Chesapeake Bay. We are in the midst of "Secesh", where rebels used to run the blockade. Our work consists of overhauling rebels that come this way, and taking care of ourselves. Although I have headed this letter Eastville, still I have visited that place but once since I have been in this vicinity. This place where I am situated is called Townfields, but our headquarters are at the former place, and all communications must be addressed accordingly.
We have had but one brush with the rebels since I have been here and that did not amount to much. There is a great deal of grain on this place which is in our possession, and the enemy wished to destroy it, together with the house which we inhabit, for the purpose of getting rid of us. They did not succeed however, although they attacked front and rear. Not long ago Capt. Fulton of this Legion captured a vessel, on board of which was twenty-four boxes of tobacco consigned to parties in Dixie, also the Southern mail that had run the blockade. However, we did not keep them long, for Gen. Lockwood returned them to their owners. Why he did so I do not know, but think in common with others, that a screw is loose somewhere. This is not the first case of the kind that has occurred lately. Whether Gen. Dix will sanction such proceedings remains to be seen. However, we do not relax our own exertions, for upon Lockwood rests the responsibility of such actions.
Occasionally we discovered a mine of concealed weapons or ammunition. Until Saturday Co.H was the only company at this outpost, but that evening a new company, (K) Capt. Patterson, which had just been recruited, came down from Baltimore to stay with us until further orders. They make very good company for us, as their officers are "good fellows", and with them we can while away the long evenings pleasantly. Our living is pretty good, as wild fowl, fresh eggs and oysters abound in our neighborhood. I could astonish some of the staid young men of Po’keepsie by showing them our table at meal time. Never mind boys, I wont excite your envy by mentioning our bill of fare.
One thing however is missed very, very much - that is good female society, for we have nothing here to take the place of the "fair and frail sex". All the substitute is dark complexioned and a rather brunette order of beauty. But unfortunately they are not well posted on the topics of the day. Neither do they keep up with the style of dress laid down in the Gazette of Fashion as the prevailing order of the day. This is a rainy day, and we scarcely know how to while away time.
We had yesterday a snow storm that lasted all day, but changed to rain during the night, and continues to do the latter still. This is the first snow of the season in this neighborhood. It interferes slightly with my arrangements, as on Saturday, while cruising around the creek on business, I discovered a fair young lady about "sweet sixteen", and thought I would call at the house to-day to find out whether her family was "Secesh" or Union in sentiment, in accordance with our orders from Headquarters. This you see is a very good way to get acquainted with the neighbors. It is about the only way, for they are a very unsociable set.
Last Saturday I visited the rebel batteries on the point opposite. This is the best constructed fortification on the Peninsula. It has however gone to decay since the day that our gunboats threw a few shells into it. We questioned the contrabands whom we found at work cutting wood in the vicinity, about the gallant defenders of this breastwork. They stated that the first ball caused the brave soldiers, who were fighting to save their homes from pillage, and their wives and daughters from rapine and dishonor, took to their heels and fled ignominiously without returning a shot. This is the way that the brave Southerner seems to do whenever he faces the foe, shows his pluck. But I must close as it is most time for retreat or evening parade, and as I am acting Adjutant of the post I must write out my orders. Hoping that this will reach you while you are good health. I subscribe myself
Yours from Secessia,
S.H.B.,Jr.
P.S. - My address is Lieut. S.H. Bogardus, Co. H, Purnell’s Legion, Eastville, Northampton Co., Va.
S.H.B.,Jr.