CAMP CORRESPONDENCE
From
the
34th
Regiment, Co. A., Pa. Volunteer Militia
Headquarters,
Camp Muhlenberg, near Reading
July 10, 1863
Thinking that our friends at home would like to know something concerning our movements since leaving there, our present whereabouts, and how our soldier boys are enjoying themselves, I will endeavor to give you a condensed history of all that has transpired since leaving Mauch Chunk on that ever memorable Monday morning when the tocsin of war was sounding through the State, nerving every loyal arm in Pennsylvania, and sending a thrill of mingled pride, patriotism and indignation through all patriotic hearts. We went direct from Mauch Chunk to Harrisburg, where we arrived at 3 P. M., and immediately received our tents, which were soon pitched, and some filled with new mown hay from a neighboring farm, the proprietor of which, contrary to the general practice, did not overcharge for his commodities. That same evening we held an election of officers, the result of which you will find in the list below. We also received orders to march, and at 1 A.M. marched to the depot, and the next morning found us in Reading, where we met the Easton boys, and from thence marched to Camp Hiester. All along the route from Reading to Harrisburg, at each station, we found crowds of able-bodied men, and not unfreqrent was the interrogatory I heard soldiers putting to them; "Why don't you cowards go and protect your own property?" I saw no blush of shame, and only bravado in reply. We occasionally seen a drove of horses which some fearful farmer was driving out of harms way.
Our regiment being formed, by having some Norristown, Bethlehem and Scranton companies attached, with the following officers, Col. Charles Albright, Lt. Col. _________ Schall, Major ________ Taylor, both the latter gentlemen from Montgomery county, adjutant A.S. Schropp, Quarter Master Ed. Doster, both the latter from Bethlehem, and Oliver Breneiser, Sergeant Major, we were transferred to Camp Muhlenberg, where our Col., being senior Col., with the Easton Regiment, Col. Hunter with the Berks county Regiment, and Col. Nagle, of Tennessee fame, with the Schuylkill county Regiment, were all here. On the 8th col. Nagle moved off, and yesterday Col. Horn moved, leaving only Cols. Albright and Hunter in camp.
An order was read on dress parade yesterday assigning Maj. Gen. Siegel to the command of the troops in Reading. The General rode through camp yesterday, and was received with the most unbounded enthusiasm by the troops. He was closely followed by a shadow, in the shape of a big Dutchman with a tremendous moustache, who appeared every inch a soldier. Since the reading of the above order I frequently hear the strain
"Oh dat is true I speaks mit you,
And goes to fight mit Siegel"
No more knapsacks will be issued to Pennsylvania militia. From this I take it that we will either be sent home soon, or have "rapid and long marches". Our boys all prefer the latter, and do not want to lay in camp long. If Lee receives re-inforcement's we may yet see some fighting of which all seem anxious.
Our amusements and the means resorted to to produce merriment, are various; and as we have some geniuses in our company, we never lack material for exciting our risibilities. The Company having subscribed liberally, a violin was purchase, and music, vocal and instrumental, serves to dispel the monotony of camp life. Siewers is the showman of our company. He can imitate a country showman to perfection. Last evening he got two men, covered them with blankets, in imitation of an elephant, and placed two pieces of boards under the arms of the front man, imitating tusks. After having gathered a crowd of lady and gentlemen visitors, and soldiers around him, he proceeded to go through the performances by proving the docility of the animals. He would lie down and have him walk over him, and go through any other performances. Sometimes two men are placed one on top of the other, representing the famous "Belgian Giant," and many other things done too numerous to find room in this letter to enumerate.
Our Quarter Master, Charley E. Leisenring, is the observed of all observers in our camp. His tent adjoins the street which is the promenade of visitors. Seated on his chair in front of his tent, with his head thrown back, he looks the very picture of ease and contentment, and few pass him without making some remark concerning his corpulency, which, like all fat people, he takes good naturedly. A good thing on Charley is, that Uncle Sam, not thinking he had such corpulent subjects, made no provision for clothing; the consequence was that Charley was minus a uniform, and was actually compelled to go to the city to get one made to order. All the housewives in the neighborhood have become weary baking waffles for him.
Below please find a list of our company officers and men as mustered into service, for three months unless sooner discharged:
OFFICERS
Jacob Smith, Captain N. W. Tubbs, 1st Corporal
James Donnelly, 1st Lieut. Jon. Weyhenmeyer, 2nd "
Wm. H. Eberle, 2nd " T. H. Ratcliff, 3rd "
J.H. McCrea, 1st Sergeant E.B Ely, 4th "
S. F. Collins, 2n " C. H. Hammann, 5th "
Cameron Cool, 3rd " John Sterling, 6th "
Ed. Hawk, 4th " David H. Buttz, 7th "
T. Frank Walter, 5th " Chas. E. Amidon, 8th "
MUSICIANS
Edward Horn Ed. Remmel
PRIVATES
Abm. C. Angle, Henry Glase, J. W. Oliver
Valentine Armbruster James Geddes Geo. Rose
Obadiah Bartow Wm. Heilman E. R. Siewers
John Bom John Horn Wm. Sandher
Robt. B. Butler Marshal Hutchinson Geo. Sprowl
Lewis Beer Wm. Hamlon P. G. Smith
Jacob R. Beer James Holmes J. Smith
Thomas Bennet Ed. Hyndman Adam Seifert
Oliver Berneiser Wilson Kistler A. Strouss
John Bobst E. L. Kimble Henry Solt
Isaac Collins John Kimble Jno. Swartwood
Patrick Corcoran Henry Keiser Henry Sohl
Alex. Cole, C. E. Leisenring, Q. M. Chris. Sterne
Abiah Dereamer, George Lance Wm. Seip
John Dink Charles Long Asa Vaneman
Henry Dervisher Chas. Leibenguth James Valentine
Andrew Diebert H. A. Lockhart A. H. Tobias
Ed. Enbody L. E. Merhan I. Ulmstead
Geo. W. Esser Philip Miller R. Unger
Fritz Ehman Samuel Moore Thomas Woocheter
Wm. Ebert Wm. Merrick Ed. Warner
Chas. L. Eberle John A. Meyer W. S. Walter
John Gilham Joseph Madara J. S. Wildoner
John Gilbraith Jacob Meyers James Warner
Nathan T. Grover Frank Nieth Alexander Johnson
I cannot close this letter without paying a merited tribute to our gallant little Colonel, who is decidedly a military man in every sense of the word. Understanding his business thoroughly, he does all things well. Being a thorough disciplinarian, our regiment already has a soldierly appearance. Added to this he has executive talents of no ordinary kind; and should we have any fights, I do not think I am wrong in predicting that he will make his mark. The boys have confidence in and will follow him anywhere.
Our regiment is the 34th Pa. Militia.
Yours,
T. F. W.
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Note
on Writer’s identity:
Considering the initials, it is most
probably the writer was T. Frank Walters, the regiments 5th
Sergeant.
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October, 2003