Franklin County: A.H. Baum to the Pennsylvania Daily
Telegraph, September 1, 1864
Summary:
Baum describes his company's first nights at Camp Couch.
Editor Telegraph
Sept. 1, 1864.
CAMP COUCH, NEAR CHAMBERSBURG
Editor Telegraph:--
The 201st regiment P.V., Col. Awl, is now comfortably "fixed," and the men composing it are being rapidly instructed in the various evolutions pertaining to military tactics. Camp Couch is situated a little over four miles, due west of Chambersburg, in Hamilton, township, Franklin county. The camp is located on an eminence overlooking a vast tract of country. A fine mountain view is had northward and westward, (the lofty range running in a semi-circle from due north to west,) and very much reminds us Harrisburgers of the Blue Mountain Ridge above our beautiful city, on the Susquehanna. Eastward and south the view is insignificant; interspersed here and there with farm-houses or humble log dwellings, then shut out abruptly by belts of timber. At the foot of the Slate Hill on which we pitched our tents, runs a sluggish stream, the water (in which we frequently plunge, like so many porpoise,) is icy cold. The pike or public road running from Chambersburg to Bedford, passes in front of our quarters, scarcely five minutes walk from camp. The rations dealt out three times a day, consist of fresh beef, salt pork, rice or bean soup, sugar, coffee and hard tack, and the men stow it away in "double quick" time, for camp life gives them an appetite.
When our regiment left Camp Curtin, on Tuesday, the men all seemed "gay and happy" -- inspired with the idea that a soldier's life was one of pleasure and excitement!
We marched gaily along enlivened by the music of our fine Regimental Band, proud of our respected young Colonel and the other officers of the regiment to which so many of our friends and neighbors are attached. But when we paraded through the principle streets of the city, and met the tearful gaze, the fond adieus and the "God bless you, men" of our wives and little ones -- of our kind friends and neighbors -- it was no small effort to restrain tears and choke down the anguish that many of us felt in parting from those we hold most dear on earth. Once in the old bridge the boys yelled with a hearty good will, and drove away all traces of sorrow and despondency.
All along the line of the Cumberland Valley railroad we were cheered and greeted with demonstrations of joy; and the regiment, hurried over the rails by two engines, reached Chambersburg at half-past five o'clock. -- From some cause or other, we lay in this ruined place nearly two hours; and then, after a fatiguing march of four miles - fatiguing became new to most of us. We reached our camp at dark, partook of some food from our haversacks, spread our blankets on the bare ground; and, with the dying soldier, many of us sang,
"Let this knap-sack be my pillow,
And my mantle be the sky --
and so we passed the first night in our new quarters, enjoying a sound refreshing sleep - feeling a little the worse on waking up in the morning, slightly stiff in our limbs, the effect of hunting for the soft side of the ground on Slate Hill?
Morning in camp must be seen and heard, to be realized. The boys, all refreshed by sleep, of a sudden become lively as crickets imitating the crowing of bantam or shanghai, the squealing of pigs, the braying of donkeys, and the barking of a terrier, and a thousand-and-one other ideas of deviltry, which would make a man laugh in spite of himself! Then comes the reveille, the cooks are bust after that, and the soldiers are hurrying up to the restaurant (as they term it) to get their hot coffee, meat and hard tack.
After breakfast squads are detailed, guards are put out for the various duties assigned them, the respective companies are then drilled for a few hours, and then dismissed in time to go after fresh water, fruit, or whatever they choose to purchase, and get back in time for dinner.
There is something that is interesting and comes near to a "home-picture," to be seen and heard in camp after nightfall. The men are all huddled together in their tents, variously employed, Some singing good old fashioned hymns, evidently preparing for the great "roll call at the judgement day -- some humming over gay snatches of sentiment in the shape of
"Do they miss me at home,
Do they miss me!"
or --
"Home, home sweet home!
There is no place like home."
Again you hear the strumming of the humble banjo, with a negro song as an accompaniment while the others are exercising their lungs on "Hail Columbia," and
"Rally round the flag, boys
Rally round the flag -
Shouting the battle
cry of Freedom!"
But, owing to the industry, courtesy and perseverance of our worthy Chaplain, REv. Mr. Rakestraw, there is a decided moral and religious improvement int he regiment; as many of the soldiers are seen, when at leisure, to read over religious matter, and can be heard to sing the hymns that John Wesley, and Asbury, and the other great lights of the Methodist Church used to sing in years gone by.
Our regimental officers are,
Colonel - F. Asbury Awl.
Lieut.Colonel -
T. Wesley Awl.
Major - John T. Morgan
Adjutant - Reisinger.
Quartermaster - Benj. Stimmel. Chaplain - Rev. Mr. Rakestraw.
Our officers are all men of good breeding and education, and men of the regiment are greatly attached to them already. We anticipate a good time during our enlistment. The the men are lavish in their praises of our courteous and gentlemanly young colonel. One man in our mess remarked to-day "I say, boys, we are a bully regiment -- nearly all Harrisburgers -- we have a splendid new Awl at our head, and if the Rebs give us a chance, we will punch a hole clean through 'em!"
Your correspondent is attached to the company I, Capt. Miles, and our position is near the centre of the regiment, between companies C. and D.
To-day a copy of the TELEGRAPH, of Tuesday evening, came into camp and the boys cheered loudly for that staunch Harrisburg daily, when they read the complimentary notice of the appearance of our regiment, as we left Harrisburg. Viva la TELEGRAPH!
Any of our friends writing to us (and we shall be glad to hear from home often) will please address "201st regiment, Camp Couch, near Chambersburg, Pa," stating the letter of the respective companies. The boys say, "tell our friends to send us papers, by all means."
Adieu for the present, and look out for more anon.
A.H.B.
High Private, Co. I.
