The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1861-07-23


/ The following are extracts which we.qre
I permitted TO make from a private lcacr
received by the sister Of young man,
from this town, row in Company A, 2ud
K Regiment Vt. Y. NJ.
Bush Inn, Alexandria, Va.
July 70, 1851
DEAR SISTER - now take my pen in
hand TO answer your letter that received
this morning, before got up il was hand
ed into my tent and it was the first letter
that | have received since we let Burling.
ton.
You have doubtless been informed by
the papers that we have marched on tow
ard the enemy. We left Washington last
Wednesday at 10 o'clock, beneath the hot
sun, and marched nearly four miles, when
the thermometer stood at 1899 in the shade.
and there were five or six Of our meA who
lelltrom the ranks Of Go. A. Two Of them
were insensibe for some time, but are now
well again and doing duty. When we GOT
to the boat, there was presented the worst
sight | ever saw. The men were stretch
cd ont in every shape, but when we got to
Alexandria they we're all right again, and
ready TO march. We marched to the cars.
which was a mile and a halt, got on board
and went four miles towards Fainx Court
House, which brought us nearest 10 the
enemy Of any Regiment When we stop
ped il never rained harder in the world:
we had TO carry our things one fourth OF
mile and pitch our tents in the rain ana
when we got our tents pitched it was near.
" . o'clock, and we had not Dry thread
on u.s. We had had nothing to cat since we
eat our breakfast but not a man said
word about anything 10 eat, he was glad
enough to get some place TO lay bis head
We col up tie next morning TO eat our
scanty meal, a. usual, and went back 10
our tents for rest, but it was not long be-
fore the order came for us to get ready to
80 to the bridge that was burned down by
the rebels when they left Alexandria
Two of the Companies were soon ready
Co. A. and b. We went to the bridge and
stationed our guards and then sent ont
scouting parties, in every direction. Two
other men and myself went out on a scout
but saw nothing worth mentioning. We
returned 10 the Company about dark, wet,
tired and hungry. They then sent out a
picket guard, and the rest Of the men sta
toned themselves on the railroad and /
camped down, with hard wood tie for a .
bed, and an iron rail for a pillow. In the
morning | went TO a house and got some
thing to cat; il was all that ] eat from tic
time we left the camp until we got back
again. When ! got back | took threemen
and went on a scout we went some five
miles from the Company, but did not have
the good luck 70 run on to any of the pies
that are lurking around our camps il the
night, 70 see what is going on. They will +
soon have to leave, for we are going 10 adj 4
vance on them in few days, when they
viii have to fight or run. We expeetthat /
they will give US fight at Manassas juno
lion, if anywhere. They will soon have a
chance to try our grit, for as soon as the
bridges are repaired that the cowrdIy /,
dogs burned, we shall rush upon them Ike Ii
80 many lions, for we are aching TO spill /,
heir blood for them.
will now give you short description
of the place here and around us. Weare
in a splendid place; there are
woods on all sides Of us, and it is cool and
llee. Our camp is on a seccssionst's farm,
which makes it seem so much the pleasant-
sr. | suppose there are five other regi-
nents in sight Of US, and one of them Is the
Iouaye regiment, which is not
ltraid Of the whole Southern Army. This
: the healthiest place we have been in vet
he water here is very good, but not ike
hat Of old Vermont. But we must not
,xpect to get every thing here as we used
0 at home. Q, how good 4 piece Of corn
,read would taste But | viii not com
,lain, nor will | stand back from ANYTHING
hat any one else dare face.
News has just come that the End regi-
nent boys, that were on picket guard last !
light, are coming in with three rebels that
hey have taken prisoners; they probably J
viii be received in the best style, that ii. s
With piece Of cold lead--with powder be- q
ind il, The Zouaves have just marched q
rebel into camp, and the Michigan regi- 1
lent have got three.
WARREN NYHAN I