The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-10-10
(Our War Corrsspondence.)
From the Fifth Regiment.
CAMP ADVANCE, FAIRFAX Co., Va, }
Oct. 4th. 1861.

Oct. 4th, 1861
DEAR EDITOR After guard mounting this
morning, strayed from camp for an hour or 80,
and found an emineuce at the south aud west
ward, where | could look down upon this camp
and its surroundings. | should like very mach
TO record in full "a description OF what then
and there saw, accompanying tho same with !.
brief of my reflections, but Order No. - will
not allow the description, and if say anything
III relation to my views, it must be concerning
my reflections. presume, however, can safely
say that forts, batteries, dragons, artillery and
infantry regiments and picket details on the
march were in full view ,--he whole constltu-
ting an arena filled with genius and military
pedagogues, learning the value OF discipline,
the true worth Of minor and grand tactics, and
waiting patiently an opportunity Tor the deVel'
opment Of their own ind,Uiduai military instincts,
upon which they rely Tor distinction, and the
honor and safety of the country depends. No
matter how well he may be drilled, or how rigid
may be the discip line Of the grand army, | ieel
satisfied that the volunteer soldier, borne on by
an enthusiasm such as no other soldier ever e1-
perienced, will, at all times consider that nc Is
dependent upon his own resources, independent
Of tactics. And 50 feeling, he will in the end
prove himself equal TO any emergency. | have
fact, as also in others.
On Saturday night last, the night Of the atal
mistake, when our own men slaughtered each
other, many, very many OF the boys of the Fifth
made urgent appeals to go, to have a hand in
the skirmish. They saw detachmens march
ing, and heard the report of cannon, and at
the word would have gone pell neil into the con
Act. Without discipline, without even an
,G, flav, would ri In b1y Eann in hat
fight, for they rely upon their own strength as
men, and not upon anything that is military.
OF course this is all wrong at the same time
it is exactly what the volunteer expects to do,
and will do whenever he has an opportunity
lie cares but Itto for the glory Of the battle
field. to him it is simply an arena for contest
where he can seek revenge and not distinction,
and this he will do at all hazards. This how
ever may all be summed up in one sentence
Volunteers are the least military aud the most
warlke soldiers ever marshaled.
Such We're some of my reflections as | stood
viewing this army Of fathers, sons, husbands and
brothers, paradod as soldiers for the defense Of
their Country, and the laws and constitution
that makes them u free and independent people,
and they ,OW defend them when assallcd by Ell
Their foreign or domestic foes
| know of but few details that can interest
your readers. The mercury to-day must Ger
tainly be at % or 100. GA parade, at sun,
down, seven Of our men tainted, the heat was
SO oppressive. On the lst inst we reported 10
Headquarters, l0ll men, SO Of whom were sick
or excused from duty, some few have the measles.
Others intermittent levers, and variety OF ais
incident to the great change Of climate and diet.
A large number of our men have never had the
measles, and | presume their turn will come
soon, unless protected by temperate habits and
good looks
All the Montpelier boys seem we'll pleased
with the soldier life they are also in good
health. By-lhe-way, | failed in my last to
mention a little incident, that occurred ON Gu.
arrival at ashington. After :iresome trip
OF nine hours, from Baltimore, we arrived at
the " soldier 8 rest" about ten clock. Hun
cry, tired and little cross, a Captain, a Lieu
tenant, and myself invited each other up into
the city OF magnificent distances, where we
could find something besides salt junk, and
hard tack While pa,roling Pennsylvania
Avenue, squad of armed men ordered u halt,
and demanded oar passes Not having any
script Of that character, we were escorted to
the Provost's quarters, where we found the
funcionary holding "a leyee. In due
time we had formal introduction, stated our
case, left our addresses on record, and were ex-
cused, with the admonitlon that we should find
our visits in Washington more agreeable in the
future, by carrying q pass IN our pocket
Further the deponcnt saith not
The Freeman arrives regularly, two days az
ter blicaton-and from it's columns We get
much news Of what is going on within six miles
Of our camp. The Associated Press are very IN
dustrious, but it would be difficult to find an IT.
tachc of the army to endorse their vcracity, and
were it not for McClellan's edict, their bulletin
Of war news would show the whole army under
march, fighting and skirmshing and hiying
Rebels wherever they swarm.
Yours, &C. SEE. SEE. Ess.