Camp California, Va., Jan. 23, ‘62
Mr. Editors:–Thinking that your numerous readers of the Globe would be interested in some news from the 53d Reg.
P. V., I shall endeavor to write a few lines for your paper. Our Regiment left Camp Curtin some time in November and came to
Washington. We first encamped about ten miles from the city on the Maryland side of the river and called the place Camp
Brooke (after our Colonel), and remained there two or three weeks, when one evening no less than thirty-four army wagons
came to move us across the river. You may well suppose the boys were all in a glee then. The idea of moving into the Old
Dominion, or treading on the “sacred soil of Virginia,” made us all feel highly delighted. Virginia is considered by the soldier,
before he enters it, as a land of battles and victories. It appears to have a charm for the soldier, like the plains of Italy had for
Northern Barbarians in the time of the Romans.
Bright and early next morning we left Camp Brooke, crossed the river, and came to the place where we are now
encamped, which is about three miles southwest of Alexandria, and about ten miles from Washington City. We had a fine
camp until the wet weather set in, but now it is exceedingly muddy. The weather fore the last week, has been such that one
could scarcely venture out for fear he would remain sticking in the mire. Still, with all this inclement weather, the men are
comfortable in their tents, having good camp stoves in them. On our right is encamped thew 69th New York Regiment, which
proved so destructive to the rebels at Bull Run, and on our left is the 1st Illinois Cavalry Regiment. Gen. French commands our
Brigade, consisting of the 53d Penna. and the 52d, 61st, and 66th New York Regiments, upon the whole quite a fine brigade.
The brigade is in Gen. Sumners’ division. Col. Brooke of the 53d P. V. is a gentleman and a soldier in every respect, being
kind and lenient, still, when the case requires it, he shows the men that forbearance is not always a virtue, and due justice is
dealt out to them. He is greatly beloved by all the men. Indeed, too much praise cannot be bestowed upon all the officers in the
regiment, and rest assured whenever the opportunity presents itself, the 53d will do good work for the maintenance of our
glorious Union.
Last Monday, our Regiment was paid off. It did not cause an extraordinary degree of excitement, except in some instances where
old Bacchus showed himself rather freely. But these instances were few, from the fact that the men generally are temperate.
Company C (Captain Wintrode) sent nearly a thousand dollars home to their wives and parents. This certainly speaks far better
of them than if they had kept it with them and spent it in camp. More anon.
PILUM.
[Huntingdon Globe, January 28, 1862]
