Poughkeepsie Eagle Nov. 14, 1861
Camp Federal Hill
Sunday, Nov. 10, 1861
Messrs. Editors:
Allow me first to congratulate you on the glorious victory secured by your efforts. I mean at the late election. This state also gave an overwhelming majority in favor of the Union as it is, and the enforcement of the laws. There were fewer disturbances than common. I believe there were only two or three persons killed; something unparelled in the annals of Baltimore for late years. Of course there were a great many arrests of persons charged with secession proclivities, - but thanks to Gen. Dix’s proclamation; - these were fewer than we expected.
Co. A. of this Regiment were sent the day before to Westminister to guard the polls, as some trouble was expected. The secession ticket of course was styled the National Democratic ticket. We have now a picket station for this regiment at Locust Point. The steamer Belvedere, one of the Great Expedition, lies near the wharf, half wrecked; and as the neighborhood is not as steadfast to the Union as we should like it, why we have a guard there. Night before last the regiment slept on their arms, expecting an attack on the steamer. But we were not disturbed, although we were all willing to hear once more the long roll, a sound which has not fallen on our ears for some time.
The rumor throughout the Camp is that we are to be stationed here for the winter. How true this report is I do not know, but in confirmation of it, next week will witness the commencement of barracks. In fact we are now kept very close, only two of each company are allowed to go to the city each day. Visitors, however, are allowed inside the fortifications as usual. And their number is not small, for every man in the regiment has friends in the city, who make it a point to call on him as often as possible. Last night for the first time we built fires in the company streets, and as they blazed up, it seemed as though the hill was on fire. It was a magnificent sight to stand away from the fire to see the fiery stream through the branches of the trees, while the dark forms of the men as they seemed to flit to and fro around the blaze, appeared like spectres. It was indeed a picture for an artist. I can hardly find any news to fill my sheet.
Everything is quiet, although everybody is on the tiptoe of expectation in regard to news from the expedition. The little we have heard has only whetted our appetites, and we await with anxiety further advices. I hear that we have again lost our Colonel, he having been promoted Brigadier General of Volunteers. We have also lost several other officers, and privates are leaving every day for Commissions. Your humble contributor is not one of the favored. The weather is cold with white frost every morning, yet we don’t mind it much. In fact, we have fewer sick persons in the hospital than in extreme warm weather. Of course the knapsack drill is responsible for the large number of the sick who are otherwise well. But my paper is most used up and I must close.
S.H.B.