Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-06-14
coon FOR NERMONrERs.

The correspondent of the Boston AdUertser
gives the following account of the post at
Newport News. 1t has been supposed that
Massachusetts was far ahead of Vermont in
military matters, or at least in equipage but
that is mistake.
The force at Newport News Is very strongly posted,
their camp lying ho farther side NJ the point and Of
sight from me Fortress, ON level aud Dry spot fifteen
feet or higher than the river in what wheat
h'id' lhc Nnc OF ruuchehnent planned by captain
Stewart OF hC Engineers i- drawn from the rivers bank
around hc camp 60 hcryrrs bank ag 10, with the pro-
per angles "i regular iornhcauom The trpop7 have
dome au immense piece rf work boo throwing uH this
work lbs faced ou uc m.itle pitch pine logs laid UP
and firmly secuted the cmhsukucnts being about SIX
feet m htg aud rather mere in thickness. ut the bot
tom, with face the outside nearly perpendicular
the sand will lie Outside Of this is the trench. six
feet vide and nearly much 90 depth, cut OF which
was thrown the sand for the cmuauku The whole
line is apparently about three quarters o mile long
Outside of this is open field with slight ridge with
100 rifle shot, whence lhe land descends little, that
any 'uemy approaching will apparently have 20 come
within reach II muskty from the camp, before they
hR any sort Of AIMS to bear upon &C. IN the open space
outside Of the camp planted three field pieces
ned by regulars which completes the deiences for the
land side except mortar near the river bank which
VIII carry its shell over the heads OF the troops the
lines On the river bank, battery II heavy pieces from
INC Fortress Is being erected TO command The river
The Vermont regiment under Colonel Phelps, COM
mander Of the post has the centre Of the hnci the
leit lies the Massachusetts Fourth, with Carcs coupa
nY ot hes on the extreme cft the hight D., held By the
Steubcn volunteers from New York regiment # Ger
mans Of whom IL is said that three ourhs have been I'M
der FIRE, many uf them being veterans.
The Germans aud thr Vermont regiment are well
provided with camp cqupage and in excellent condition.
wish that as much could be said Tor the Fourth. but the
truth must be told that the Massachusetts men are the
worst provided OF any regiment in the camp The com
panics each have officers tent and small for
the men The very that could be deccnty crowded
INTO one Of these small tents would be five six men,
but the tents have 20 fr ten twelve, number
which 10 Is physically impossible To find for The
captains hl up heirteuts with men and the small ones
crowded % suiocauOn but for all that third Of the
regiment have 90 DE iu the open air. n such booths
they haze bad time 10 huid. wkich, however will not
Keep out rain. The men have been in TINS condition
ever since they went 20 the post working the hardest
Of fatigue duty With this sort Of provision for tho hours
Of rest and sometimes for day without ratons Ooca-
snnally the Vermont regiment will send down offer
20 accommodate ty siXty men. but still fo the last
three days when there have been heavy rains in the AZ
ternoons and evenings, We have had to remember that
some hundreds Of friends lying in the camp ex-
posed TO the weather with their strength exhausted by
hard work and irregular fare while those who had ,het-
or were crowded in such close quarters be almost
equally dangerous 90 health"