Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-12-17
Another



But this is sufficient, full enough to demon
strate the anmus Of our So liers
About o'clock mae NY way up through
the attic OF the main brild.lk TO the roof, where
had fine view Of the country Tor miles
around. Looking to the north and west | es
pied l0ur mounted soldiers, riding around near
the timber thai enclosed small patch Of some
four or five acres Of cleared land. They were
FULLY mile and a half oh and in the exact di-
rectlou Of Leesburg, where a large force Of rch-
els are posted While Watching their motions
~ best could, q captain N the 9TH Penn. came
along with field glass. called him up upon
the house and We soon satisfied ourselves that
they Scre rebels, and in one corner OF the tim
Der they had a small fire. We came down di.
rectly and the Captain said he was going out
there In about an hour the general field oli-
Ger OF the day came around, and reported to
him what had seen. r1, was at noon. In
q hal. hour was relieved and sent to the main
res rive to wait TIL midnight Here wo prcpar-
ca dinner, eat heartily, and then auused our
selves listening t1 tile remarks Of the more witty
and ta.aa,iye ldirrs among whom were
squad 81 . bows | taid y0a some rather tough
stories about these boys IN my last, but they are
the be, soldier, wc nave and of course can stand
fire against all lae paper batteries Of the coun-
try. Well, around the fire where we had Just
dlued were some six or eight of these boys en-
tightening lot Of other soldiers with their
yarns Of camp ,ic the best Of which was the
following, which We will call
rHE WAKE.
The narrator was very eccentric genus.
but iull of fun and CAB Their conversation
Turned upon sickness in the Brigade. He slid it
was most all ' sham, and that the thing was
nearly played out in the Second Regiment. Ii
man was sick or off duty more than two DAYS
al a time. they held wake over him which
soon brought hlm into the ranks. Some can.
dies were secured, few quarts Of vinegar. a
little turpentine, and the wake opened. The
candles were lighted and placed at the head and
feet of the invalid Mass was then said. a
burnt odering Of old clothes made, the subject
thoroughly sprinkled with vinegar, lotion of
turpeutne applied TO his feet and ears a hymn
was then sung, while the Padre and his retain
ers played game of q" seven up over his
loius, the whole concluding with the solemn
and touching ceremony OF forced blubber
The next day their patient was the best soldier in
the ranks so much for the wake whi.h he
said WaS sovereign remedy for nine cases in
ten of sick soldiers.
Just then the General Field officer came
round and euqurod fox your loug.wndol cor
respondent, lie was tber, and responded 10
the call, which turned out to be ul order from
Gen. Hancock to take thirty men att scout for
the mounted rebels mentioned above. Cant
Chandler being in command Of our relief, sdg.
gested the proprIety Of his going along, md he
did So Picking our men, we started about 3
o'clock with positive orders to be inside tie
picket line before dark that would leave us
about three hours to 20 at least four miles md
return, sklrmishing as we went. However, we
went to the house, got our bearings, aud by 4 II
o'clock were ready to march. Just then n
Lieutenant of the 9th Penn. came up, and learn.