Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-20
Correspondence Of the Waterman,
ECOND VERMONT REGTN ENT.

FROM our worthy pOtuuhhAtls AtNs - -
Smith. who visited the postoffice at Wash
ington, for the purpose Of ascertaining why
tho regiment did not receive their accustomed
newspaper mail, learn. the reason was that
on account Of the large increase OF more i'm
portant matter, the newspaper mail could not
be distributed and was neglected. have been
the constant recipient Of several daily papers
and now it has been very near two weeks
since have received a copy, and many otheri
missed their papers and now we have learnt
the reason to our regret. viii not Congress
set this right and allow the soldiers the COM
fort and pleasure of receiving home paper
Last night Private Celley Of Company II.
(who came from the vicinity Of Montpelier)
met with sad accident While on picket he
was carelessly handling his rifle when it was
discharged and the contents went drought
his left wrist. The hand probably will be
amputated, as Celey has gone to the city hos
pital for that purpose.
Our boys are still erecting houses Of vari-
Gus shapes and sizes, covered and plastered
with the real sacred soil. o." And other reg
iments who are not encamped where timber
is plenty envy the second their comfortable
quarters. The medical department are about
erecting log hospital. The Pennsy lyanians
of McCalrs division. have built log houses
but our village looks as though the workmen
had more taste. Our Chaplain informed me
that it is the intention to erect a church in
our camp. This will be good idea, as we
shall have place for service on cold and
windy Sabbaths, and also proper place to
hold evening prayer meetings.
The health Of our regiment is comparative
ly good, and no doubt but that the second is
considered the most healthy regiment in this
vicinity. The Brigade SUI geon has induced
Gen. Smith to prohibit all suffers in his d.
vision from selling pastry, confectionery,
raisns, nuts, cider, Intoxicating beverages,
preserved fruits and molassas Perhaps this
may conduce to the better health Of our sol
diers, but it robs the suffers of almost half Of
their former stock, and is pecuniary injury
to them.
Our camp was highly gratifed by the news
of the detention and arrest of Mason and
Slidel by Capt. Wilkes in spite of the formal
protest Of the British Captain. And further
of these Honorable Embassddors being, by re-
solution of Congress, placed in solitary con-
fnement and treated in the same manner as
the rebels treat our brave Colonies whom they
hold as prisoners OF war.
To-day our regiment went out on forag-
ing expedition. together with other regiments.
Corn, oats and hay of nearly one hundred
wagon loads have preceded their return
The weather has been pleasant and warm
during yesterday and to-day. IL seemed like
May, and no doubt is quite a comparison to
your cold December days in Montpelier.
Capt Ayres battery, which is connected [
with our brigade, passed yesterday forenoon
in target practice. They threw shell, spherical
case and solid shot and showed pretty good
firing.
The third regiment arc daily expecting new
tents from Government, which will add mate
rally to their warmth and comfort As
their old tents are almost worst than nothing.
they still suffer
The fourth struck their tents yesterday, in
lending to move over and encamp in the woods
lear the second.
The fifth now have their Colonel believe
col Smalleys health has prevented him
rom taking command of his regiment since
hey have been in service until within a week.
ut Lieut.. Col, Grant has improved the drill c
+ the fifth much since they have been here. s
he band has also improved in their playing, !
heir leader, Capt. James Rice, being an ex- e
client musician. a
The sixth is quite unhealthy and several 4
eaths have occurred lately. They are learn
AZ to be soldiers quite fast Among the last r
eats Of our scouting parties portion OF the ]
ixth succeeded in capturing two loads OF
ressed pork which was being taken to Man
ssas for the comfort of hungry rebel soldiers,
lso six secession citizens who were accom-
,anying the wagons. Rev. VIM IL. Lord,
s understood to be in camp, may he give
,ood account of us and our situation as sol
lers when he returns.
A secessionist or rebel soldier deserving