The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-11-29
From Company G., Sd Vt. Res't.
CAMP GRIFFIN, near Lewinsville, }
November L., 1861. !

To The Editor Of The Taleloninn:
News is scarce here Just now. No move
mrnt of the army Of the Potomac has been
made for several weeks, worthy of notice.
he main topic here, as well as in the news
papers. is what is to be done during the
coming winter. Are We to remain here mere
j. TO protect Washington. or are we to ad-
vance and make some demonstration on the
rnemy's works at Manassas? Many opin-
.oAs are advanced but none are wholly salts
factory. Tie most plausible opinion have
>een is. that General Mcclellan is waiting to
have our Southern Expedition draw consid
erabie portion Of the rebel army from the Vi
entity OF the Potomac, when he can advance,
carry the works at Bull Run and Manassas
with certainty and comparatively little loss of
life. Many are complaining because we are
here inactive II these compIainers will wait
few weeks perhaps they will have occasion
TO acknowledge the wisdom of our young
general for believe he had much rather
spend more money and less life than We
should by marching on a superior, or even an
equal, force. Every mans life is not only
valuable to himself but to more or less
friends. and if we can conquer the South with
tine and money, let US do it.
Many perhaps, would like to know wha,
Kind of country We are in, and its present
appearance. The country is gently undulat-
.ag, and there is but very little broken or
waste land. There is good deal of timber,
aad think a greater proportion Of the coun-
.ry is covered with it than in Caledonia cOun-
y. 1t is mostly oak, walnut, chestnut, hard
Pie, cedar and few naples and beecheS.-
l4r cedar is very different from Vermont ce-
,.4r. It is such as lead pencils are made of,
and emits pleasant odor. The pine is OF
mai! growth. and appears to have grown on
aad once cleared, but exhaus ted by growing
tobacco. That crop is now raised but very
...te here. The farmers here appear to be
Iu!,e wealthy, and own more or less slaves.
lAr.r houses are mostly large twoStory ones.
a.. IRE surrounded by many ornamental! and
s;.lr trees. Bat now instead of beautiful
trees everything shows desolation and the
ITesc:.ce of an army. Houses are deserted,
,Hr inhabitants leaving their homes in such
-.s:r that they took nothing with them :;
Tees are cut down without any regard to
"Aose or where they are. The little village
o; Lewinsvlle was almost literally hid by
res; noH not tree is standing. Anything
y n range of our guns must be cleared a
"ay Fences are used for fuel, as dry wood
5 scarce. Not a sign Of any fence is now
r., about the camps.
see in the North Star that Gen Smith
Is $4,000 men in his division Also that
-'-e Vermont 18th occupies the post of honor.
nose reports smell little fshy. General
>nta has less than 1900 men. The !th
loes "o' occupy the pest Of honor, although
=, $ last becoming crack regiment under
--e e'fclent drill OF the energetic Colonel
E:o4shtOn. Genera! Smiths command is
-. becoming thoroughly drilled. Besides
--mpany and regimental drill We have dali!
'F-aIe or division dill, thus accustomina
.'- farn TO move readily in large force. /
'sht worm witnessing TO see d Line
It. II length firing blank cartridges as fas
. ~ can load.
lie success of the federal forces in SOutl
-aF--.aa has raised the spirits Of the mel
'sF! much. There was great rejoicing to-da!
| ''.eA We read the account of the capture OF
H''on and Slidtll. May these arch traitor
"yr' Inc doom they Justly deserve.
Inc u have received their new uniforms
"'.gh are Of dark blue color, warm anC