Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-11-22
For the Standard.
Present Condition of Our Boys.


hardships of any one or more of the Yer
mont regiments since going from the
State, hoping, however, that some OF the
statements relative to their condition
hitherto have been unwitiingly exaggera-
ted, i, may be source of qualification to
some of the readers of the Standard TO
learn that tho present condition OF at
least the 81 and 4lh regiments is good,
and probably of most, as the 81. 81, An,
9th, and 9th regiments are all III the same
vicinity. and, so far as am able to Judge,
equally we'll provided for.
Having in my possession two private
letters, one written by NJ. t. Hatch, a
Corporal in company B, Sd VT regiment,
to his sister in Hardwick, in answer to
particular enquiries AS TO his actual wants,
the other by his brother, Cha. P. Hatch.
Jr., Corporal in company II, 4th VT.
rteimrnt, to L. Ii. Delano, in answer to
enquiries for similar information, | will
make brief extracts for publication in
your columns.
After stating his general health TO be
good, aud himself "as tough as horse,
NJ. L. Hatch writes -" see by report
that the people in Vermont think we are
starring and freezing to death. To sat
i>fy you, will give list of my clothing
have good overcoat, two dress eoaS
and one fatigue coat, two pairs OF parts,
three wooden shirts, four pairs of stock
ings, two pairs Of drawers, and one cap,
this constituting my clothing" 1t Is to
be hoped he does not serve in his stock
ing feet. Il do not need any more cIn-
thing unless have horse to drae il"
He speaks of the climate AS farousblr
and adds, "the roses are in full ti1am.
OF his acquaintance he say " / SEE
Charley (his brotheD and the 6 over boys
every day. They are well, and enjoying
themselves first rate. He gives less par.
ticuIars in respect TO ratIons, and more
concerning clothing, than his brother,
from whose letter the following extracts
may not be uuinterrstng;
Mr.. l.. II. DELANo, SIR: Yours of
Oct. 29th is received, aud in answer
will say was very happy indeed to re-
ceive a letter from you, and will endeav-
or to give you all the information | can
concerning The Vermont boys. The ID.
81, 4ih. 5th, and 9Th VI. regiments are
are all IN this vicniry-Camp Griffin, AT
Townsville. think the three latter arr.
we'll clothed and fed, at beast know moth
ing TO the contrary. Tie 2d and 81 are
now receiving their new uniforms, their
Old one. being about worn out, and they
will compare tavorably with the other
Vermont regiments.
A tar H. living is concerned. that OF
the ~ aud 81 is better than that Of The
regiments which have lat Iy arrived for
reason that they have an oven to every
company and do their own cooking, while
they eat bakers hrrad-and a little sour
al that-and hard crat ktrs. l Lave 40
spo,ili N 10 find fault ,Or we have enough
10 eat. Such as are little dainty find
fault sumetlmss.
1t is quite sickly here among our boys.
The weather is rather cold, and for the
last twenty -four hours it has rained pow
prluIl,. and Of course there is nothing
but mud to-day, but it will soon dry up.
We are stationed about six miles from
Chain Bridge, on an eminence command
ing the country for two or three miles
around and are prepared to give the reb.
els a hearty welcome should they attack
US. II. X. Morse, of our company, was
fired upon by rebel picket last night,
the bullet passing within four inches OF
his head. lie returned the fire and moth.
ing more WAS seen of him. 1t was very
dark-a very favorable lime for them TO
kill off our pickets.
1t is probably some twenty or twenty
five miles to Edwards Ferry, where that
fatal battle was fought. wish our off
GERS would use little more Judgment in |
such case as that was, and wish we
with equal numbers on both side. Could ,
we gain decisive victory, the bacsbone
Of rebellion would be broken. Things
look As though we would do something |
soon. / wish to do up the fighting and
hen 20 home. However, we think 1t
will be right in the end"
There NAV have been actual cause Of
complaint on the part Of the Vermont
Sd, and if any have too much moderated /
he privatons Of military service and are
much disposed to find fault, there will
'tlll br apparent canse for ali that is mad,
while the more discreet will scarcely Ut
rr murmuring word. lei the case be
lard As it may. But we trust the pres
nj condition of the troops is such. to-
,rthrr with the prospect of Improvement,
Is to remove any occasion of anxiety on
ur part beyond what will naturally exist,
nd any just cause of complaint on the