The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-10-04
From the Third Regiment.
CAMP ADVANCE, FAIRFAX Co, Va, !

CAMP ADVANCE, FAIRFAX Co., NA.,I
September 2S, 1861.
To tie Editor If tie CaleEoniaa:
Everything remains quiet in camp. Save
the occasional encounters of the opposing
pickets. there has been but little stir since
my last. Last Tuesday, however, We had a
little brush with the enemy. In the morning
of that day del achment of troops, consist
ing of the 18th New York, a part OF the Yer
mont Sd, the 10Th Indiana, a Wisconsin reg
iment, Grifha's battery, portion of Motifs
battery, and about so cavalry, in all making
a force of some 1000 men, marched towards
Townsville to take possession of some corn,
hay and grain that had been deserted by
some rebel farmers. Six pieces of artillery
were planted on hill about mile and q
half from Lewinsville, and were supported
by some 5000 infantry The wagons were
then loaded with forage and started back.
vixen large force Of rebels vas discovered
some four or five regiments of infantry, one
Of cavalry, and six guns-which Immediately
opened fire on our lines; but their range was
not good, and they did but little injury
Motifs and Griffin's batteries Immediately O.
pened upon them, and after twenty-five or
thirty shot and shell were thrown by our ar
tillery the enemy retired. But one man on
our side was injured We brought of over
ninety loads Of forage, and captured one
prisoner. He says he is an aid of Col Stew
art.
Last night FIVE regiments arrived here az
ter dark-the Vermont 9TH among them ::
and to-day two regiments of infantry-one of
them the Vermont ith-and two regiments
Of cavalry came in. |, is suru.ised that some
important move is to take place, as our reg
iment has u>t received orders 10 have every
thing ready for march. We have had ex-
tremely cold weather for the past week.
The health of the regiment continues poor
We We're paid off Yesterday for the frs: time
since leaving Vermont No time to write
more now. o.
We are permitted 70 copy the following
from a letter received from member Of COM
pany G.
CAMP ADVANCE, Sept. IS.
FG!!ND l.: Nothing very remarkable has
taken place here Sine my last letter II You,
We Ike our new encampment much better
than We did our old one at Chain Bridge
l. is very pleasantly located upon a gentle
en:nrace upon the Virginia side Of the Po-
tomac about three-fourths Of a mile from
Chain Bridge. Il commands fine view OF
country several miles in extent Between Us
and Arlington heights is another hill, upon
which is is fort much larger than the one
where W. are encamped.
think that there IS not much prospect of
an attack being Elade upon WASHINGTON, al
least. although At the time OF nv last lette,
il was apprehended. and now should the enc
my attempt il they would give Us tough
rub. There is not now more than one hun
d-ed and fifty thousand men fl for duty in
the vicinity Of Washington, ard there are on
" about Sin hundred in the 81 Vermont reg
iment. officers and privates. that are able &c
do military duty, and many of them cannot
withstand much fatigue. The fact is the fed
eral soldiers have had IN immense sight of
labor TO perform, and they have done wha,
they could, so far. most completely, and viii
continue to do 50 until the difficulty is set
tied. Upon the other side the rebels have
their slaves to do the heavy work, while the
soldiers are drilling. Thus they come on to
the battlefield fresh and full of visor, and be-
:ieve me they are in earnest, while cur sol
diers are compelled to meet them tired and
faded. There are at present two hundred
Thousand! rebel soldiers within twelve hours
march Of any given point along our lines.
think that cur officers have acted wisely
in terrifying around Washington before the,
attempt another battle, for tell YOU anothe,
Bull Run affair affair would be the creates,
calamity tina, could bcfall us now. Should
We attack them and be defeated, Washington
would fall an easy prey into the hands OF tn,
rebels.-then farewell to all hopes OF spec
dy settlement of the great question now a
issue. |. for one. have perfect confidence il
all our generals, and believe that they vii
bring US safely out of all our national Difficult
ties. would that they might be let alon,
by the press. Let them change their harpins
TO some other subject, and use their intiuenc,
IN bringing our young men o! the north to
sense Of the duty which they owe to thei
Maker. their country, ard themselves. ane
let our leaders alone. Why is it that tn,
North Is so slow to come TO realization of
the danger that threatens them? Must the,
wait until those who have already responded
to their countrvs call are all DESTROYED
God forbid. You may search throughou
Secessia and You cannot find a man or DO,
: between the ages of twelve and sixty. tha
has not taken up arms. They have thrown
tAir last card, and they wait the result. L
is neck or nothing with them. | told 70,