From The Regimental Flag: Letter from Eastville, Va.
part of a series from the regimental newspaper of the 2nd Delaware Infantry
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From The Regimental Flag (Vol. 4), February 20, 1862, pg. 3
Correspondence of the Regimental Flag.
LETTER FROM Eastville, Va.
Head Quarter Purnell Legion
Eastville, Va. Feb. 15th 1862
Mr. Editor. — Thinking that a few lines from this part of the land of secessia might be interesting to some of your readers, I thought I would make my first attempt to give you a production for your valuable paper. We have some friends amongst the Bloody 2nd., otherwise known as the 2nd Delaware, how it ever got the name of the “Bloody Second” is beyond my comprehension; we, here of the Purnell Legion have never heard of any deeds of blood committed by the said Regiment;* we had the pleasure of their company for a short time last fall in our march through the Peninsula. And we then down as a jolly good lot of fellows.
I understand, through a friend in Battery B, Capt. Snow’s Company, quartered near the Second Delaware, that they are very comfortably situated for the winter; we are also comfortably fitted out for the winter with good quarters, clothing, etc., through the untiring exertions of our very excellent Quartermaster (Jno. T. Graham) who is the right man in the right place. Our officers are all good, and much respected by the men, and citizens generally; this is a beautiful little place and no doubt in time of peace was quite a business one.
We have two hotels, with good accommodating landlords; four stores besides our Sutler, who by the way met with a serious loss lately amounting to two barrels of the (oh be joyful) they were broken and the contents spilt in the streets so that what was lost by him, was the poor solder’s gain. It was done according to order I believe; some of the officers and a good many of the men have been up to their wit’s end to get the accustomed morning “eye opener” since the new liquor law has come into effect. But I must conclude this lengthy epistle as I have nor written more than I intended. Should you think this worth publication you may hear from me again.
J.R. Company E.
* The way we come by the name of the “Bloody Second” is because of a recent severe battle, which the regiment were engaged in on a certain night, strange to say, “nobody was hurt” as it was all imagination, [Ed. Flag.]
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NOTE:
The Purnell Legion took its name from its colonel, William Purnell, postmaster of Baltimore, who rasied the regiment. The Legion served in Accomac County in the fall of 1861, which is where its members first met the members of the 2nd Delaware. Read its service record here.
“Capt. Snow’s Battery” is the same unit mentioned in the “Brace of Accidents” piece in the Flag’s February 6 edition, posted as part of this series on April 3, 2026.
