Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-08-27
From the Sd Vermont Regiment.
CAMP LYoN, at Chain Bridge, Aug ] 3

CAMP LYoN, at Chain Bridge, Aug Is.
EDITOR FREEMAN j have waited A" for some
thing to turn up" before writing this, under
the ntimation in my last that should have
something stirring to write, but all mortas are
doomed to disappointment, and soldiers are no
exception 10 the general rule. day or two
since the Vermont Second arrived, and are now
encamped within stones throw Of us and,
believe me, they are as willing to tell as we to
hear the narrations Of their hair. breadth
'scapes, the perils of battlefield and retreat
and in open-mOuthed wonder we view the scars
and wounds, as well as arms, etc etc ,-troph-
les Of the panic at Bull run. They appear
worn and jaded, and their uniforms look about
one month worse than ours, faded and stained
with :" shoddy . written all too plainly in every
rent, and seams, With stitches A" thrce-t0-an-
inch" damn the contractor in louder words
than energetic profanity is capable Of 1t
must be very cool for warm weather, and like
the lrishman's boots, let out tho water as fast
as it runs in. The 33d New York Regiment is
here, and ike all the troops from anywhere
but Vermont, have a tasty and substantial l-look
ing blue uniform. Don't understand me as
complaining, for that is against my principles
had almost said that we had nothing stir
ring. On the Light Of Angus. Sth, matters
assumed quite threatening aspect Our pick
cts in Virginia were notified Of en- attack about
to be made, " the drums boatat ,ad Of night, =
commanding the Vermont Third and Maine
Sixth to hasten to the entertainments Tor the
purpose of repeling the alta K, the Chain
Bridge was partially torn up, on, OF ITS abut-
ments mined, and the match h, ng trembling
over the fuse the guns in the batteries sighted
and ready, the magazine unlocked, the battle
lanterns lighted, the cavalry mounted, field
pieces planted, and our prompt and efficient
olonel now unfortunately for us) made a Gen
eral, on hand, inspiring coolncss and courage
in the men, by showing The same IN himself,
and we poor uniortunates, on the Virginia line
Of pickots consoled with the assurance that We
should not be allowed to retreat across the
Bridge, but must, when attacked take TO the
woods, and get across the Potomac, Of we
could) as best we could.
said it was unfortunate for us that our Col
onel had been made General. did not mean
that we have not good officers left, and those
in whom We have the utmost confidence, yet we
feel his loss much, for his experience was every
thing to Us
JEFF Davis, or Beauregarl, or Johnston or
Wise or whoever was to make the attack hardly
wished to undertake the job, aud when morn
ing broke, after a night in the aeuches, we
quietly retired to our tents, without the coyet
ed opportunity of fring.a single shot or flesh
ing our maiden swords in the proyerbially hot
blood of the scseshes
This afternoon we are to he reviewed by Gen.
and the camp is already busy em-
ployed in preparing for the great event. Wheth-
er it will be anything but a simple review Is
more than can tell, for to be candid, it is ter
rible little that any Of us know, more than to
eat, sleep, and obey orders Discipline is very
strict and commissioned officers are worked
equally with priyales and many find that sol
dicring is rougher than they dreamed of when
away in Vermont. Yet most Of US like it, for
there is sufficient excitement to make it inter
csting. But when the battle comes, and our
comrades become victims Of the Rebellion By
giving up their lives IN defence Of our cherish
ed County attacked by Rebels, 1t may assume
a different aspect, and we feel it foolish thing
to enlist, yet trust not.
More next week, Thanks for papers received
daily. II. OF d.