Diary of Corporal Lawrence Van Alstyne, August 29, 1862

Received $25.00 to-day, which is half the State bounty. Friends of the soldiers are coming and going all the time. One day is much like another, and yet there is an endless variety. We have guard mount in the morning and then drill for a couple of hours. Then we are free to visit with our friends. We have lots of them nowadays. No one seems to lack for them. It reminds me of how well people are apt to speak of the dead. While alive we say all sorts of mean things to them and about them, but when they are gone it all seems forgotten and we only remember their good qualities. Some way the very kind attention we receive reminds me of that.

SOURCE:  Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 12

Diary of Corporal Lawrence Van Alstyne, August 30, 1862

$25.00 more to-day. How the money comes in! Many people were here to-day, some from our neighborhood.

Between our camp duties and so much visiting the time flies fast. The ladies of Hudson presented us with two beautiful flags to-day, and Colonel Cowles with a horse, saddle and bridle. It was estimated that five thousand visitors were in camp to-day. We are the 128th Regiment the State of New York has sent out. I wonder if such a time was made over each one. There was good speaking when the presents were made and accepted. We certainly are having a grand send-off.

Night. There is a circus in Hudson to-night, and the guards have their hands full keeping the 128th in camp. Many get out, and the guard-house is full of those who were caught making the attempt.

SOURCE:  Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 12-13

Diary of Corporal Lawrence Van Alstyne, Sunday, August 31, 1862

Spent the day in camp and a very quiet day at that. A paper has been circulated among us asking that the Rev. Mr. Parker, who preached for us once, be sent with us as chaplain. I understand every regiment has a chaplain (a minister) to look out for the spiritual welfare of the regiment. Judging from this one, they must find plenty to do.

SOURCE:  Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 13