The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-13
tour War Correspondence
From the Third Vermont Regiment.
CANT GRIFFIN, Va, Dec. 7, 1861.

EDITOR FREEMAN The Grand Army of the
Potomac, of which the Vermont Third is a frac-
ton, not a vulgar enc, hope, is here. The
Grand Army of the Potomac, of which jeff. Davis
is the supreme head, is there. Each is shaking
its fists at the other, neither seeming inclined
to strike Manassas pronounced Manasser) is
hard to take so is w Washington, and there seems
to be disnclination on the part of the defen-
dants of both to meet on the middle ground to
contest their superiority. The chivalry have a
right to act on the defensive. We have not -
They ask only 20 sustain themselves on their
own (?) ground, and we claim to be reconquer-
ing them. 1t is true our gallant naval expedi-
tions are leaving many sore spot on their vul-
nerhble coast line, that they are hemming in
and surrounding them, until there are only two
States of the thirty four that have not the old
flag waving over them. That every one within
thirty days will be under its folds is my sincere
conviction, although cannot believe, AZ | have
heard some one say, it will, by the first of Jan
uary, wave over the entire length and breadth
of the old Union, owing to the immense amount
of bunting it must take.
| pity the South, for proud man humbled is
an object Of pity; nor can help comparing it
to some stubborn cur incensed alta hornet nest,
watching with intent eye the only legitimate
egress ,hereirom, while from some unknown
source come single ones and dozens, that pounce
unheralded upon flank and leg, leaving many
smarting sting in those tender s>ots. With
tenacity, worthy of all commentator, they are
yet watching us, seemingly nndisturbed by the
spgs in the rear.
i To day is one of surprising loveiness, about
like a June day at the North, or mayhap a May
day if that month is unusually kind, and our
General has taken advantage OF the fine weather
-. |, E,lk
entire regiment, save the sick, lame and lazy
to all three classes of which | to-day belong,
with not leaning enough toward either to ex
cuse me from duty, but with such a nice COM
mlngling Of the characteristics Of all three, that
| remained to see to matters at home, arc gone
to Flint Hill, in hopes to draw the chivalry out
| fear losing but little, for we have challenged
them 50 many times l think they will hardly
} venture to make any great demonstration to-day
VISIT TO WASHINGTON.
} visited Washington day or two since, went
into the Capitol and gazed in mute wonder on
the faces Of the great men of the land men of
whom have been accustomed to read with awe,
had several of the immensely great pointed
: out, attempted to measure their greatness by
the rules of physiosnomy, and come to the con-
clusion that it is hard telling by the looks of
toad how far he will Jump. There were fat
men and lean men, old men and young men,
smiling faces and scowling faces, and yet there
Q was gravity plainly marked everywhere that
6 told me that they were aware Of the great qucs.
tons that were 70 be handled and answered by
them, and how much depended on their judg-
t ment and Intelligence. | saw the seals once Oc.
: cupled by greater men than any there, but now
gone, some to the grave, and some to the rebels
the first mourned and reverenced, the last better
> to be gone and dispised the first fortunate in
= being honored the last too mean to be hated.
I The Capitol, when finished, will be noble
. building, worthy its use, and, though traitors
. may again pollute it, will never again be under
traitors control as in times past. Its massive
9 corridors and halls, its noble dome rising to a
dizzy height, have all look of grandeur in my
unsophisticated eyes. Mighty in itself, and the
meeting place of mighty men, who gather once
: year at the rate Of eight mighty dollars pe'
day, is it strange was bewildered. We are
s told that Washington is a city of magnificent
distances. believe it, The distance from her.
. is so msgnfcenty great that have had chanc,
= to 20 to it but twice since | arrived in the lane
e of Dixie. The avenues are magnificent il
!. length, and from the Presidents House, O.
Treasury buildings, to the Capitol, necesstatc
the use of a carriage and found the bills u
J the hotel were magnificent in distance beyont
h all common ones : and we humble soldiers wer
q obliged to travel a magnificent distance from
the ground floor to our lodging rooms.
: THE RESULT OF A FoRAGING EXPEDITION.
: The party that went out to-day have just re
|, turned, bringing $50 wagon loads of corn, cat
10 and -four, and three prisoners, 205O bushels @
!, corn and some IS loads of hay in the mass
They saw only two of the enemy, and they wer
}" making most lengthy tracks for the woods.
to THE VERMONT DELEGATION VISIT THE CAMPS.
IN To-day Senators Foote and Collamer, wit
r Members Walton, Morrill, and Baxter have PAL
t. our camp visit, and right welcome were they
H. There was kind word for all, and they SCENE
to appreciate to the fall extent our services an
u our needs. There appeared to be willingness
a mentioned before, who has the fighting title
his name, with the advantage of perfect satet,
quite desidera,um in these troubous time
NJ An officer of home guards is very safe position
he especially when the home they guard is as IA
he north as Vermont yet the title Captain, Coll
n. mel, or General is just great and begins vii
- IL capital just as much as that of him wcarir
me his life out fighting the enemy. They to-
ent dinner with US, partaking of our humble IA
with as much gusto as they would the magni
cent dinners ut Wizards or Browns Tn
Nv ex lmned the grounds, the tents, and kind
hg' asked US was there anything they could do
The US if 50, command them. They were willii
led and anxious to make us comfortable and happ
-, and their honest earnestness did much to dis
y" buse us oc the idea that Vermont had quite lt
re- saken u.s. and fully convinced us that there "
The only one Gen. Geo. +. Davis among the til
the ones that visited us from the land Of Gre
80, NJ juntains, our home II. Of D.