The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-08-20
From the Sd Vermont Regiment.
CAMP LYON, at Chain Bridge, Aug

CAMP LYON, at Chain Bridge, Aug l5
EDITOR FREEMAN Il have waited i" for some
thing to turn up" before writing this, under
the intimation in my last that should have
something stirring to write, but all mortals are
doomed to disappointment, and soldiers are no
exception to the general rule. A day or two
since the Vermont Second arrived, and are now
encamped within stones throw of us and,
believe me, they are as willing to tell as we to
hear, the variations of their hair breadth
'scapes, the perils of battlefield and retreat,
and in open-mouthed wonder we view the scars
and wounds, as well as arms, etc., etc ,-troph-
les Of the panic at Bull run They appear
worn and jaded, and their uniforms look about
one month worse than ours, faded and stained
with - shoddy . written all too plainly in every
rent, and seams, with stitches {" throe-to-an
inch, damn the contractor in louder words
than energetic profanity is capable off, 1t
| must be very cool for warm weather, and like
the lrishman's boots, let out the water as fast
as it runs in. The 33d New York Regiment is
here, and like all the troops from anywhere
but Vermont, have tasty and substan tia!- look
ing blue uniform Don't understand me as
complaining, Tor that is against my principles
had almost said that we had nothing stir
ring. On the light Of Angus. 9Th, matters
assumed quite threatening aspect. Our pick
cts in Virginia were notified of an attack about
to be made, g the drums beat at dead of night, "
commanding the Vermont Third and Maine
Sixth TO hasten to the entrcnchments Tor the
purpose of repeling the attack, the Chain
Bridge was partially torn up, one of its abut-
ments mined, and the match hung trembling
over the fuse; the guns in the batteries sighted
and ready, the magazine unlocked the battle
lanterns lighted, the cavalry mounted, field
pieces planted, and our prompt and efficient
[ OIOnnI llptOrt mai fol for, rc\ do
era, on hand, inspiring GOODNESS and courage
in the men, by showing the same IN himself, |
and we poor uniortnnates, on the Virginia line
OF pickets, consoled with the assurance that we
should not be allowed to retreat across the
Bridge, but must, when attacked, take to the
woods, and get across the Potomac, (if we
could) as best we could. J
| said it was unfortunate for us that our Col |
onel had been made General. did not mean
that we have not good officers left, and those
in whom we have the utmost confidence, vet we
feel his loss much, for his experience was every
thing to US.
JEFF Davis, or Bcauregard, or Johnston, or
W se,or whoever was to make the attack hardly
wished to undertake the Job, and when morn
ng broke, after night in the trenches. we
quietly retired to our tents, without the covet.
I'd opportunity of firing single shot or flesh {
blood Of the seseshes.
This afternoon we are to be reviewed by Gen c
Mcclellan, and the camp is already busy en-
'loyed in preparing for the great event. Whcth.
+ 1t vii! be anything but simple review is
acre than can tell, for to be candid, it is ter
IDLE little that any of us know, more than to
at, sleep, and obey orders. Discipline is very
trct, and commissioned officers are worked )
qually with privates, and many find that SOL '
iering is rougher than they dreamed of when o
way In Vermont. Yet most of US like it, for J.
here is sufficient excitement to make it inter- S
sting. Blu, when the battle comes, and our il
omrades become victims of the Rebellion by e
living up their lives in defence of our cherish c.
Country attacked by Rebels, 1t may assume tt
different aspect, and we feel it foolish thing a
} enlist, yet trust not.
More next week. Thanks for papers received +,
ally. H. OF D. n II