Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-08-23
LETTERS FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.

Francis Finnegan, of Co. H., I'd Reg,
formerly in the employ of R. S. Page, ESQ.,,
of this place, has written some interesting
letters to his friends, which we should be
glad to give in full; but few extracts
must suffice. Under date of Aug. IA, in
relation to the scene on the meeting of the
I'd and Sd regiments, he says;
You can imagine what greeting there was
among the boys Hiram A. Earle, Gov. Van
ness j Liley, and VIM. H. Crowell, were nearly
the first saw. e. A. Reed was out on picket at
the time but came back Immediately after din
ner. He was very glad to see me, and handed me
letter that he had received from Carroll, which
read with great satisfaction. VIM. II. Crowell
had letter which he had Just received from l.. S.
Small. All the boys that | know are well but
Chester Hill, from Eden he is sick in hospital
and it is thought that this climate will not agree
with him. The boys are all very patriotic, and
are fast to get chance to shoot rebels. sat and
chatted with the Hyde Park boys. We talked of
the past and present, and speculated on the flu.
ture our talk was chiefly of War WAR, but now
and then 1t would change to the good old days
we spent in Hyde Park along with Mr.. Page. |
also saw Isaac Cowen, brother to Andrew. He is
well and likes the soldier life. | saw Reuben B.
Cleveland just minute. He says his health is
good, and he likes well. have not seen Lieut..
Col. Hyde, or Leo, yet.
Capt Burnham, of the Fletcher Co., has
gone to Vt, | understand. to get recruits to fill
up his company. Where we pitched our tents
here yesterday the water was running fast over
the ground, and it was rather disagreeable look
ing place to lodge on but took huge knife,
and went up on the hill, and cut cedar brush
enough to put under John and Terrence Roddey
and myself Some of the boys dug trench
around the tent, and we made up fire, spread
our empty ticks and blankets, and rested pretty
we'll / am sorry to see that some members of
the regiment write some most glaring fasehoods,
and what makes it worse, these reports get into
the papers, and deceive many. and contradict
the statements of those who write the truth.
Now that letter in the Newsdealer of Aug. I'd, by
Geo. w. DOty, contains some statements that are
entirely false. The idea that we drove the rebels
half mile into the woods and ran on to their
batteries, is simply preposterous. That story
about Shack Dodge was all CANNON. Some of
the papers abuse Col. Whiting. Perhaps the
Col. is not entirely blameless but one thug is
certain-he keeps better order and has quieter
camp than any other about here. Perhaps this
is owing to the superior intelligence and qualifi-
cations of the men ; but it strikes me that the
discipline he has kept has had much to do with
it, Some say he showed cowar'lice on the field at
Manassas Perhaps he did but on the retreat
was close by him for nearly mile, and he was
cool and collected as any one saw. He carried
two guns q part of the time, till he found men
who had none, when he gave the guns to them.
But some of the men and some of the officers
made up their minds to dislike the Col when
they first saw him and before he was in the reg
iment three days, heard them call him an -
Michigander' with three or four adjectives at
tached but if asked why they hate him, they
will call him mean old scoundrel, but can bring
no tangible complaint against him. 0
On the 10th he writes:
John and Terrence Roddey are both gaining
| John is good devoted boy, but Terrence, though
| there is nothing bad about him, still retains
some of his old careless words and ways. some
| times fatter myself that the boys are improving
when see large portion of them reading good
| books and singing but if something occurs to
draw out their remarks, become almost discour-
| aged to hear with what GOODNESS and delberatiOn
they will use the name of their God, showing that
what they read makes but little impression on
their mind yet find that merit is respected and
appreciated wherever it is found. u
| Our brigade was reviewed yesterday afternoon
by Gen. Mcclellan. 1t is said by spectators, that
the I'd VT is drilled the best, and made the best
appearance of any in the brigade. Gen. McClel-
| Ian looks much younger and handsomer than |
expected He is said to be 80, but looks as if he
might be ten years younger. His long black hair
hangs in nice curls down over his neck, and
when his back is turned, gives HIM rather fop-
| psh appearance ; but in his countenance appears
thoughtfulness and intelligence. His discipline
and uniform rules inspire us with confidence.
We feel that success must attend his movements.
His face and the shape of his head resemble the
pictures l have seen of Napoleon L. Except the
| few days that my throat was sore. | have never
had better health than since enlisted ! o'clock
P. M. We have just been to dinner, and have had
our first potatoes, with fried onions. ! heard
some of the boys who generally grumble most,
say that they would be willing to stay as long as
they could get such food as this. Q Q
have been over to the Sd to day, and had
quite long talk with the boys there Carolus
A. Reed, Hiram A. Earle, Vanness Lilley, Will
lie Woodbury., and VIM. II. Crowell are all feel
ing first rate G.. A. Reed looks rather thin but
is so ambitious that he scorns to complain. B.
J. Austin and Capt. Blanchard are also well.
Capt. Blanchard looks like huge lion, the beard
ON his face is full inches long he is tanned and
looks tiugh as an Indian. / had quite long
chat with Leo Hyde, and never saw him looking
so well before. Col. B. N. Hyde was gone to
Washington on business Col Smith has reed
the appointment of Brigadier General, so that he.
instead Of Phelps will lead us to battle, in case
we are wanted to take the field
We have received quite lengthy letter