Camp Curtin, Harrisburg,
Monday, Sept. 10th, 1861.
Messrs Editors:–During an absence from camp of more than a week I have lost the run of events here, and consequently can
give your readers nothing more than a short account of matters as they appeared after a hasty inspection.
Last week all of the old linen tents that have been in use here for the last four months, and were much worn dirty and
torn, were, agreeable to order, struck, and new ones of a much better article of canvass, pitched in their places. More regularity
was also observed in placing them. The streets or company parades being more roomy than heretofore. As a general thing you
can make a pretty fair judgment of the character of the men by inspecting the tents they bunk in. If you see things lying around
loose–everything in dirty confusion, you may rest satisfied that the occupants of it are slovenly fellows who look as if they
never changed clothes or seen water for weeks. On the other hand if you observe a tent kept clean, blankets, if not in use,
neatly stowed away, clothing hanging up, eating utensils all in some proper place: the dwellers beneath that canvass will be re-
spectable men and good soldiers. These remarks are as true of officers as of the privates. Nothing looks so comfortable as a
well arranged camp in its every particular kept perfectly clean and tidy, and it should be the first duty of the proper officers to
see that such is the case.
Last Thursday the Base Ball club of our company (recently organized) played a match game with a picked crowd from
Capt. Wise’s (Reading) company. The game, which was very exciting, lasted more than four hours and resulted in the
complete victory of the Pottstown boys–they making 31 scores to their opponents 19. Our boys were commanded by Lieut.
Potts and the Readingers by Lieutenant Rogers.
Yesterday at 3 o’clock there was preaching in Camp; one of the clergymen of Harrisburg officiated in the pulpit. Their is a
temporary pulpit erected which is occupied by some divine every sabbath afternoon. There is, in bold characters inscribed
above the pulpit these words–“in God our trust.”
Camp Curtin now covers a large field outside the fair ground enclosure–there being not sufficient room inside to pitch
the requisite number of tents. The divisions of the Camps are distinguished as camp No. 1, and camp No. 2. Each has its set of
guards but are under the same Colonel commanding and officers of the day. The regular routine of camp duty is suspended on
Sundays except dress parade which comes off every evening at 6 o’clock. The parade is participated in by about two thousand
men, and is formed in two lines of battle, one immediately behind the other; the first line being composed of those troops who
have received their uniforms (dark blue pants and blouse). The appearance is fine and on pleasant days attracts numerous
spectators from Harrisburg. There are three bands of music in camp. They have connected themselves with some of the regiments
forming here.
Yours, &c.
L.J.F.
[Ledger, September 10, 1861]
