In Camp with L Company, Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry

by George W. Petty

But bedlam had broken loose. Steadily we marched out of the doorway, only to face a great crowd. Our feelings were various at this time, I doubt not. Personally I wanted to get away from that crowd and felt angry that they should be cheering so, not daring to look aside, but deaf to all the shouts of encouragement. I was fully realizing the fact that it was not such a fine thing to leave home and friends for a perilous two years of strife and bloodshed. Finally reaching the station by a circuitous route, we waited fully an hour for the train. This was extremely trying to us, but amid an outburst of cheers we boarded it bound for camp, and now our spirits rose, for we were off, and instead of looking behind it was forward, and we determined then and there to make the best of everything as we found it, and that duty in its plainest, boldest light lay before us, and now was the time to begin. Our officers and non-coms were hurrying through the cars, making up lists, detailing guards, making assignments. Every engine we passed saluted us with deafening screeches; factory, street and doorway contributed their share of waving handkerchiefs and cheering crowds, the streets of Newark near the station were packed with people, and so the patriotism followed us all the way to Sea Girt, which was reached at four in the evening.

Immediately disembarking, we formed rapidly and marched to the camp grounds, passing in review before the Governor. This was my first view of the War Man of our State. Standing upon a horse block in front of the White House with uncovered head and a sober, serious countenance, Governor Voorhees impressed me with the belief that he, at least, felt the full responsibility of his position. Well and nobly did he fill it. From Trenton he brought his headquarters to Sea Girt and there he stayed until he saw the last regiment depart for the south, having ceaselessly urged forward equipments, personally looked after the comfort of the men, taken a deep and thoughtful interest in all our surroundings, and finally bid us Godspeed upon our journey, a loyal, devout patriot.

As we marched to our streets ominous mutterings and black storm clouds in the west warned us to get sheltered as quickly as possible; and at the word, ranks were broken and a wild scramble for tents began; but we were soon roused out again to get sacks of straw to sleep upon. This news was comforting, for the fresh green sod, still moist from recent rains, was anything but inviting. The sacks were intended for two battalions. Our battalion was to have had cots. There was considerable confusion and orders got mixed, so we sailed in with the other fellows to get sacks. These were stored at the rear of the mess houses about 200 yards back of the camp. Eight hundred men got the order at the same time and all made a dash for the pile. The sacks were about seven feet long and it was a most ludicrous spectacle to see the men dragging these clumsy things after them. The field seemed alive with great brown ants crawling after each man. The boys enjoyed the fun greatly. Guards were being posted and we soon made ready for the night. While the blankets were being issued it commenced to rain; and after eating the last crust of bread we had brought from home, we turned in and slept soundly.

Tuesday we received cots, while those tents which could boast of floors were given the sacks.

The rations or "grub" served the first day consisted of a small piece of steak and a whole loaf of bread. The bread broken in half with the meat between would make a home made sandwich that could be eaten on the installment plan. The loaf was our allowance of bread for the day. Coffee of rather doubtful quality was served, also one whole boiled potato, and some of them appeared to have grown for a couple of years. This breakfast was duplicated every day during the week. At dinner the meat ration was varied by bacon, liver or fish.

Mustering officers and surgeons were very busy all the time, and companies of the First and Third were constantly passing our tents, to and from the mustering field. Orders were received to hurry up the mustering of the Second Regiment. Rumor had it that we were to go to Washington in a few days, the Third to stay and the First to go to Chickamauga Park to act with the Regulars in the contemplated invasion of Cuba. During the week the showers and wet fields kept us continually indoors and the first Sunday in camp it rained a flood. The streets were turned into quagmires and every now and then the slip-slop of some soldier passing the tent made the situation all the more gloomy.

Detailed news of Commodore Dewey's victory in Manila harbor reached us Sunday morning. The completeness of it, with such slight injury to ourselves, was pronounced as marvelous and cheering broke through the sodden air, stirring the dripping camp to life and action.

This day was my initiation as Corporal in Guard Mounting and, although the Junior Corporal present, I was detailed to take out the first relief. It rained incessantly and at nine in the evening the guard was dismissed. My face then was quite numb from exposure. At three o'clock the next morning the guard resumed its duty.