New Port News, Va.
November 29, 1863.
The National holiday - Thanksgiving, Thursday, 26th ultimo, - was indeed a great gala day in all the anti secesh portion of the Union, and you must not imagine that it passed by unobserved here. An order from General Butler had previously directed that all unnecessary duty be suspended, and an order from Brigadier General Heckman announced that the day would be observed here by an assembling of the troops at Port Mansfield, for the purpose of participating in exercises appropriate for the occasion. The speakers' stand was erected n a platform in the open field in front of the fortification. From a staff above the stand waved the national colors and the colors of our brigade. Thither we marched Thanksgiving morning. Their were four regiments of infantry - the twenty-third, twenty-fifth, and twenty-seventh Massachusetts, and the Ninth New Jersey, the men of two batteries of artillery and the Third New York Cavalry, the latter on foot with sabres. We were drawn up by "double column" close en masse, in front of the stand in such a manner as to form three sides of a square facing inwards, with the officers in front. The chaplain of the Third New York Cavalry then announced the order of the exercises; they were as follows: music by the choir, "Land of our Fathers;" reading of a passage of Scripture; prayer by Chaplain Carmell of the Ninth; Music, "The Battle Cry of Freedom;" address from a passage in Jeremiah, by the Chaplain of the Third New York Cavalry; "America." By the choir; benediction. The address, as would naturally be supposed, purported on the war, its cause and object. "We were all praying for an honorable and a glorious peace." The occasion was one of peculiar interest, and to persons fond of military displays it would have been particularly attractive. The music, performed by a choir composed of members of different regiments, was executed in good style. The "Land of our Fathers" and "America" forcibly reminded us of the times we used to help sing them, when war was not thought of in our peaceful and prosperous land.
From noon until tattoo, liberty was given us to roam from camp wherever our fancy might direct, and a few minutes after the circulation of this order scarcely enough men were left in camp to give it an inhabited appearance. Many took their rifles with them, and there was a continual cracking in the woods all the afternoon. But the centre of attraction was the camp of the Third New York Cavalry where were gong on many sports and amusements - horse racing, mule racing, sack racing, (the parties contending for the prize were ensconced in sacks, the mouths of which were tied close up under chins; every attempt to run was sure to produce a tumble, to excite the merriment of bystanders,) pig chasing, jumping, target shooting and fantastical performances. Every one seemed to enjoy himself to his satisfaction. To add to the glee of the occasion, the news of Grant's victory over Bragg at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, were received and read to the crowd, and cheer on cheer rent the air. May a continuation of such victories hasten the terminus of this war.
Since our last there have been several brigade reviews here. They were accompanied by the usual pomp and splendor of such occasions. The last review by General Heckman, November sixteenth, was the most extensive affair, for besides six regiments of infantry, there were present three batteries of artillery and the Third New York Cavalry, which latter is certainly a noble regiment. On one of these occasions we were reviewed by Major General Foster, and the General appeared much pleased with our appearance.
General Foster has been removed from command over us, and succeeded by Major General B.F. Butler. Never had a General more the perfect affection and complete confidence of the men under his command.
The Eighty first and Ninety-eighth New York Regiments of our brigade have been removed from this Post and taken to Portsmouth and Norfolk. The former regiment have already had quite a skirmish with the enemy at a place twelve miles from Norfolk, losing a few in killed and wounded.
The subject of re-enlistment for a term of three years or "during the war" is now before the troops here. The inducements are certainly tempting, and exceedingly liberal in the pecuniary point of view. Per order, there is a recruiting officer appointed in each regiment, and we understand that many veterans have already put down their names.
However, it is our most cordial wish that the President's call for more troops will be responded to with an alacrity that will entirely confuse our wily foe. We have lately discovered in the papers, much about the importance of stay-at-home civilians encouraging enlistment, to save their own precious craniums from the danger of a "draft," but it is our humble opinion that, in such cases, example is far more influential than precept. May success ever continue to crown the efforts of our arms, and at the next Thanksgiving day may we have cause to also be thankful to the Giver of every good and perfect blessing for a lasting and glorious peace.
Yours, very hopefully,
VIDI.