Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-08-23
LETTERS FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
CAMP Lyon, GEORGETOWN HEIGHTS,
Cd Reg. Vt. V, Co. F, Aug. Il, '6l. (

m CAMP LYON. GEORGETOWN HEIaHrs,
Cd Reg. Vt. v, Co. F, Aug. IA, '6l.
FRIEND HOWARD Perhaps by this
time you would like to hear something of
the I'd Regt. as we have left our old camp.
Ever since the Sd Regt. arrived in Wash
ington, rumors have been rife in both
camps, that we were to be united in the
same brigade. But much as we desired
it, we did not dare to believe any such
good fortune could befall the I'd Regt
but day before yesterday, about 5 o'clock,
p. NJ, Col. Whiting ordered us to strike
our tents, and prepare to move. Although
we did not know where we were going,
and there was a heavy shower coming up,
we went to work with a will. and the
baggage was soon loaded on the wagons,
and the Regt. marched off the ground,
the Band playing National Quickstep.
We took the cars and rode into Alexan-
dria, where we formed and marched out
of town on the road towards Washington.
Here we halted, and some sour bakers
bread was passed to the men. Sentinels
were posted and we could not leave the
ranks after water or anything else. About
9 o'clock in the evening we took up our
line of march, and arrived on Long Bridge,
opposite Washington, distance of 5 miles
where we were glad to obey the order to
camp down. We were wet and covered
with mud, and slept on those hard plank,
as we'll as if it had been good feather
bed. At daylight we started and marched
4 miles, and halted few minutes to eat
another piece of sour bread, half mile
above Georgetown. We soon moved on,
through mud, and heavy rain, 8 IL
miles to Chain Bridge; we marched on
to the Heights above, and into the camp
of the Vt. Sd, where we received a warm
welcome and each company was invited
to, and partook Of very good breakfast,
from the company bearing the same letter
in the Sd. We had very good visit of
about 2 hours, and then pitched our tents
along side of theirs. The mud and water
was deeper than was convenient for sleep
ing on the ground, but being used TO it,
we planted ourselves, and were soon lost
in the arms of morpheus. To-day we are
pursuing the old round Of guard duty and
drill. 1t is quite cool to-day, and withal
agood day for us to get settled down"
Gas the old women say.) Capt. Blanch-
ard and Go. from Lamoille Co., seem to
be enjoying life very we'll, and anxious to
get into fight. l told the boys to keep
cool until cold weather if they could, as
my experience had learned me, that march
ing on double quick in warm weather, to
battle, was anything but agreeable. Col.
Smith, of the Sd VT, is now our acting
Brigadier General. The brigade consists
of the 33d N. Y. infantry, 9th Maine, I'd
and Sd VT. and several companies of q.
S. cavalry, fortified West and North by
strong batteries, mounting several so h.,
riAed cannon, and manned by the hest
artillcrist in the army. This is quite an
important point; but it is now an impos-
sibility to take it, with any number of
men the rebels can muster in Eastern Vir-
ginia. Before close, let me add. that
just as we marched from the Sd brigade,
Col. Howard returned us his thanks for
our brave cooperation with his command,
and hoped we should meet on the field
again where we should be more successful.
His remarks were answered by three hearty
cheers and a Tiger" from the I'd. Maj.
Joyce has been under arrest, by order Of
the Col, for writing letter to Vt, which
appeared in the papers, censuring the Col.
somewhat for the action he took at Man.
,assas. He did not have his tent pitched
last night, but says he, There is not O
boy in the regiment, but what would sleep
out in the rain and let me have their bed,
If / had none" That is true.
Yours for the Union,
X rs One Of the Capital Guards.