Local Intelligence

A MILITARY CAMP ON SUNDAY, in the neighborhood of the city, presents a singular appearance. Camp Chase, on the other side of the Schuylkill, above Gray's Ferry Bridge, attracted crowds of visitors on Sunday last, Col. GREGORY's Regiment being there learning the first rudiments of military life, and the recruits being for the first.time subjected to discipline. The spot where the tents are pitched has a fine growth of trees on the east, while the ground on the south side has a downward tendency--not sufficient to entitle it to be called a hill, yet ample for drainage, while the space fronting the tents is large enough for drill or dress parade. Within the enclosure, on Sunday, were some one hundred vehicles, of all descriptions--from the plain country wagon to the private carriage of the wealthy nabob. The soldier on guard, whose clothes were certainly never intended for him, marched to and fro, his gun resting upon his shoulder as if it were a scythe, and he returning from a hard day's labor. Soldiers' fare must have been agreeable to him, for his occupation was varied by the consumption of huge masses of bread, sufficient to throw a dyspeptic visitor into spasms. In addition to this warrior was the "natty" soldier, with cap arranged with as much nicety as if the wearer was the principal attraction; the "nonchalant" soldier, looking as if nothing could be done that would astonich him; the "precise" soldier, who knew his duty and cared for no one, but also evinced a decided partiality for a maiden with yellow locks and a broad, pleasant face and who, for a smile, he allowed to enter the strictly guarded line, and approach close to where Divine service was being held.

The speaker, a large man, partially bald, and with his remaining hair quite grey, had a large congregation gathered near him, composed of visitors and soldiers not on duty. As his voice rose and fell upon the air, the visitors turned and gazed upon the uncovered heads whose "word and honor" had been pleged [sic] to their country, and who had sworn to safely see its honored flag once more resume its position. Their devoutnesson that bright autumnal Sabbath could not have been excelled.

Behind the preacher was [sic] the large kettles in which the soldiers' coffee was made, some four of these being suspended on wooden poles, with a brisk fire under them. Several of those primitive ranges were in operation, and at them good natured looking men were skimming the coffee with tin cups, while others were arranging the rations for the evening meal.

On the front of some of the tents were placards--"Bowers House," the "Lester House," &c., while three or four tents by their neatness evinced the pride of their occupants, as pleasing as if he or they had put up a card, with these words--"Look in."

In one of these we noticed a soldier's model traveling trunk unpacked, containing a desk to write on, a lounge to sleep on, a variety of cooking utensils, dishes, etc., the whole being packed, when necessary, in a space apparently not half large enough for any three of these articles. On the back of this same tent were two small ventilating apertures that could be opened or closed at pleasure, reminding one of the windows in a cabin of a vessel. Camp Chase being near the city, many of the families of the volunteers visited it on Sunday, and to them, no doubt, the day was a happy one. Not a sign of liquor was to be noticed in the hands of any of the visitors or soldiers, nor have we ever seen so large an assemblage where equal good order and decorum was observed. Camp Chase is well worth a visit to those who wish to obtain an idea of a soldier's life.