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Re: winter 62/63
In Response To: winter 62/63 ()

Dave,

I do not believe you can do any better than browse through the pages of the Richmond Daily Dispatch.

Here's an example.

George Martin

http://dlxs.richmond.edu/d/ddr/

Richmond Daily Dispatch.
Thursday morning...Jan. 8, 1863.

Minstrelsy in Camp--"Hood's Minstrels."--Contributions for Fredericksburg. &c.

Camp of Texas Brigade,
Near Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 29, 1862.
As others have given you a full history of the splendid achievement of our arms in the late contest in and around Fredericksburg, I shall turn aside from the bloody path that leads through gory fields and scenes of carnage, and give you an account of a few minor particulars not heretofore mentioned. Though they do not appertain particularly to the tented field, yet they serve to dispel the shadows that, like evil spirits, creep around the camp fires, and do honor to the soldiers of our noble army, and which, together with kindred acts, show the tender sympathy existing between the army and the people.

While Burnside lay upon the Stafford heights, revolving and maturing his plans for crossing the river, the musicals of our brigade, to break the tedium and monotony of camp life, improvised an "Ethiopian Band." All the tents and tent-flies that could be borrowed were gathered up, and beneath the trees of the forest a Pavillion was constructed capable of accommodating about three hundred and fifty persons. And here, in the face of a powerful army, surrounded with the signs and prepares loss of bloody war, did the minstrel band hold forth nightly to admiring audiences, not of the bon-ton and alite of the city, but of bold and fearless warriors.

When, on the morning of the 11th inst, the booming of cannon fell upon the ears of the sleeping army, and announced in thunder tones that the work of death was at hand, the "show," of course, was suspended. But as soon as Burnside got a sound threshing, and, like the young Napoleon in the swamps of the Chickahominy, "hauled in his borns and backed out." the performances were continued. It is the first thing of the kind gotten up in the army, and from its popularity it bide fair to become quite an "institution." The thirst for novelty and the desire for something to break the dull routine of camp life, render it as place of favorite resort to the soldier; while the performances themselves, not even taking into consideration the disadvantages and inconveniences of attending, will loss nothing by a comparison with those under more favorable auspices. The ladies living in the vicinity attend the exhibitions, and their presence adds much interest to the occasion; while our Generals, by their frequent attend are not averse to the "show," and seem to consider it a "good thing." Besides affording amusement, relieving camp of some of its tedium, and enlivening the spirits of the boys it has a more praiseworthy object in view — all the precedes, above the current expenses, are appropriated for the benefit of the sick and, wounded soldiers of the army. The performers call themselves "Hood's Minstrels."

A Contribution for the relief of the Fredericksburg sufferers was gotten up in Gen. Longstreet's corps, and our brigade, consisting of the 1st, 4th and 5th Texas, and 3d Arkansas regiments, contributed the sum of six thousand three hundred and fifty dollars--of this amount "Hood's Minstrels" gave four hundred and fifty dollars. Now, what say the "Varieties" and the "Nightingales?" Will they "raise it," or will they "lay down their hands" From other brigades I have not heard; but no doubt our contribution is about an average one with that of others. Texan.

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