[Americus]
When the regiments of the Second Division were moved from Lexington, they were assigned to camps in southwestern Georgia, in the cities of Macon, Columbus, Americus and Albany. The Eighth Massachusetts and the Twelfth New York went to Americus, where three regimental camp sites had been prepared, and orders were issued for the Eighth United States Infantry to join the brigade. This order was countermanded, and no other regiments went to Americus.
On the morning of November 12th, the four sections bearing the Eighth Massachusetts and its impedimenta reached Americus. The two camp sites were about a mile from the city, and separated by the highway. The Eighth was assigned to a large sodded field, where substantial wooden company sinks had been constructed, water pipes laid to each company kitchen, and an electric street lighting system was being installed.
For a week the men of the Eighth were as industrious as ants. Each company erected a long shed at the foot of the company street, one end of which was closed in for a kitchen, in which was assembled every convenience for preparing food. The rest of the shed was used as a mess house, and furnished with long deal tables and benches, where the men could sit and enjoy their meals. Canvas awnings were attached to the long sides of the mess hall, to be used as a protection against rain and wind.
Deep pits were dug for kitchen sinks. These were covered with tree trunks and the dirt replaced and carefully arranged in a mound. A detachable hopper was placed in the top of each mound to drain liquid wastes into the sinks; the solids were than collected in closed iron cans, and were carted twice daily to a crematory. The hoppers were enclosed in wooden boxes with covers, which were always resplendent with a fresh coat of whitewash.
Long wash stands were constructed with an overflow trough into the kitchen sinks. A pipe ran the length of these stands, with frequent faucets and iron wash basins. Each company was supplied with a bathing tent in which a shower bath was constructed, where the men could bathe every day if they so desired, and were required to bathe twice a week. Tent floors were provided, and lumber for bunks and clothing racks. A system of drainage was installed, and each company street ditched and crowned to the center.