“M.”
Co. D, 10th Pa. Reserves [Jefferson Light Guards],
July 15, 18611
Dear Reporter:It has been some weeks since I have had an opportunity of sending you any account of camp matters, but there has been so much monotony that it is hard to write. But since I last wrote, our company has been organized into a regiment with nine others, under command of Col. M’Calmont, who is an experienced officer and a gentleman, so far as I can learn. Our esteemed Captain, James T. Kirk, who is every inch an officer and a gentleman, has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, an honor which he well deserves. Our company will miss him very much, but will learn to look with the same confidence to our young Captain, C.W. M’Daniel, who needs only experience to make a noble Captain.
There are now three organized regiments in Camp Wright, and one in Camp Wilkins, which is now under command of Col. Hays of the eighth regiment. Great anxiety has prevailed in camp for a week past, owing to the constant promises of guns, uniforms and pay. The guns have come at last, each man in our regiment having this morning received a musket of the old style, viz: flint locks changed. The men don’t like them, but will probably be compelled to take them or do without for the present, at least. Our company expected to be a rifle company, but cannot get the rifles at present, and will probably never get them.
The ninth regiment received part of their uniform to day. The eighth regiment received theirs last week, and ours (the 10th), will receive them next. The paymaster paid us a visit last week and began to pay the Erie regiment, but the order was countermanded before the whole regiment was paid, and the consequence was a threatened insurrection which was subdued by the vigilance of Col. McLain. The other three regiments are patiently waiting their turn, for we still have confidence enough in the government to believe we will get our pay some day. News from Washington is very encouraging to the soldiers, and we hope ere long to know something more of our destination and also of our reward when the work is done.
But it is time for regimental parade, and consequently I must close, hoping that by another week you will hear of us fully equipped, armed, and paid for what time we have been in service, and I hope that ere long you will hear of us receiving marching orders, for every man in camp would rather be at work than lying here inactive, while our brothers are doing the work in Virginia and Missouri. I expect to give you a full account of matters as they are in camp, by another week.
M.
