Our Portsmith Correspondence

		Camp Blanchard,
	Near Portsmith, Virginia,
		February 5, 1862.
   Editor Courier: There is no news of
importance in our camps.  Everything
is quiet and working along smoothly.
Our Regiment (22d Ga.) is encamped
about three miles west of Portsmith,
on the western branch of the Elizabeth 
River, in a beautiful and apparently
healthy portion of Virginia.  Our pur-
pose is to guard the new bridge, across
the western branch, which is about
seven hundred and fifty yards long.
This Regiment is attached to Maj. Gen.
Huger's Division, and the Third Brigade
under Brig. Gen. Blanchard.
   We were reviewed by Gen. Huger
this evening.  The General is a fine
looking man, of fine military appear-
ance.  From his appearance he is fifty-
five or sixty years of age, of medium
size, eyes rather sunken and very pierc-
ing, and rather heavy eyebrows.  He
has quite a pleasant countennance, and
his organs of destructiveness are
well developed.  With the material
which composes his Division, he is des-
tined to give the Yankee Hessians a
warm reception, should they ever
give him the opportunity to show his 
hand.
   The health of our Regiment is very
good at this time.  There is but little
sickness except mumps, which is the
prevailing disease in our camps.  We
have built winter quarters here, and
are living very happily in our cabins;
but not so much so as if we were at
home, around our peaceful firesides,
though we fare well and enjoy ourselves
finely for soldiers.  My impression is
there never have been soldiers who
have fared any better than we, for the
same length of time.  We have had
plenty to eat and plenty to wear.  We
have not suffered any of the consequence
from cold, as the winter has been vey 
mild here.  About three weeks since
there was some sleet, but it was soon
gone.  There has been no snow here of
consequence--none at all that has re-
mained more than one day.
   There are ten or twelve cases of 
mumps in our compny at this time,
nearly all of which are convalescent, 
W. B. Judkins, W. J. Pope, W. J. Vin-
cent, E. Morris and J. H. Drummond
are the worst cases, and they are con-
valescent and will be well in a few days.
    The boys are very anxious to see
the Rome Courier, as much so as if it
had been a letter from some friend or
relative.  There was an election held
in our company the other day, to fill 
the vacancy occasioned by the resigna-
tion of Second Lieut. George Kinny,
which resulted in the election of Mr.
W. F. Jones.  S. F. Woodruff was ap-
pointed Orderly Sergeant.  There have
been five members of our company dis-
charged since we left Georgia.  Their
names are S. G. Rhudy, F. Bishop, John
Climer, John Petit and J. M. Adkins.
		Yours truly,	H.

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