Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-12-20
From the Sixth Regiment.


writing. Study and meditation are I'M
known, pleasuse and recreation are strict
ly unmilitary. But when the long, wea-
risome battalion drill is over and dress
parade is past, there is little time be-
tween supper and tattoo in which the
mind almost unconsciously wanders back
to other times and other scenes.
Home, friends, and life's comforts clus-
ter thickly around the minds weary Wis
ion, and Imagination weaves them into a
paradise, not lost, but left. These glimps
es, fancy sketches of the real, daunt not
the courage of the soldier, but give him
strength. They support him in his tolls
ard hardships, cheer him in his sickness,
and in the hour of battle when dangers
gather fast around they give him fear
less power which the approach of death
Itself cannot overcome. Our dreams of
home have been more vivid lately, | dare
say, on account of thanksgiving which
has occurred really in Vermont, but with
us only in dreams. A holiday had been
promised us, but when it came it brought
not only duty, but special duty-picket
guard the worst of all our duties at the
present time.
There has been some real skirmishing
of late almost within hearing of our camp,
yet pe have not been permitted to see a
''secesh" in the wild state. Several ca
ged specimens designed for the Wash
ingtor menagerie have been on exhibi-
ton while passing through camp, but
they are said to appear most naturally
when on the run. If we ever see them
we shall have to go where they are
They come prowling cat like around our
picket lines occasionally, but they are too
good soldiers ever to meet US where we
are.
Yesterday we went on a scout. There
were some ten or fifteen thousands in our
force We went to within a mile or so Of
Vienna and halted as reserve, while 9TH
err regiments went on further to gather
forage and if possible find the enemy
They found forage in abundance, but Dc
rebels except small force discovered by
one of the Pennsylvania regiments few
miles from Centreyille. They tried in
vain 10 draw them into a snare, but our
Colonel was too far from reinforcements
to risk an attack, so we returned without
testing our Eufeld friends and, what was
better, without accident. We should he
very glad to meet them with anything
like an equal force, but, | trust, we shall
never be led by our present brave and
efficient commanders into unavoidable
defeat. Our soldiers are truly brave, but
not reckless.
Our regiment is fast becoming accus
toned to the discipline and fatigue Of
camp, and in the course of three years
or so | presume we may become as well
drilled as the 4th, who are wont to tell
US how we shall do when we have been
in the service as long as they.
AS | previously predicted, our sick list
has rapidly incre ased, and what is worse
still, we have had several deaths. Some
ten have died in the whole regiment.
Two from our company have paid the
debt of life and fallen, not by the sword,
but by disease-away from home and its
sweet consultations, but among brothers
and friends whose watchful care cheered
and supported them till the last spark of
life had gone out, and whose sympathy
and respect shone in the fearful eyes that
followed one to soldiers grave in the
encmy's land, and the other away to be
buried beside his fond mother in his ma
tive state. If, as some claim, it is a
weakness for a soldier to weep, we must
acknowledge that weakness, for we really
mourn the loss we have met, In the
midst Of these calamities which we can
not attribute to a want Of care, food, or
clothing, we are still as happy as the cir
cumstances will permit. A general salts
faction pervades the camp so far as |
know, and were it not for the sickness,
nothing would prevent our enjoying life
as well here as at home. Our food is
good and quite abundant We have moro
than we can possibly consume. 1t con-
sists Of a supply of salt beef, flour, beans,
peas, rice, hominy, and coffee, with a
meal Of potatoes once or twice a week
and plenty Of hard crackers, more COM
monty called Virginia shingles" Sol
diers never saw such fare before. Every
comfort possible is afforded. and l hope
it may never be said truly of our regi-
ment that we complain of abuse because
our clothes are taded,
trust that our patriotism is too true,
our sense of honor too great, for US 10