Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-10-25

From a private letter from one of the 4th
Vt. Regiment, formerly resident here, we
are permitted to make the following extracts:
/ Day before yesterday, the 8th Of October, the
Adjatant put his head through the door of my
tent and rodsed me TO communicate the fact that
orders had been received to start the whole regi-
ment with "a hours rations Before daybreak.
our breakfast was prepared, which we ate in the
dense fog Of Virginia morning, on the Potomac
Each then then took loaf of bread, and fried
pork to correspond, filled his canteen with coffee
and fell into line ard l reported my company all
ready TO ch.
The Regiment started at daybreak, in company
with 20, 600 troops, which, to surprise, we
found extending from Chain Bridge, some miles
along the road, and we took our line Of march for
Lewinsville No one, not even the Colonel, knew
our destination, or what purpose we were destined
to carry out, but from the immense preparations,
all supposed an advance into the enemy's country,
and probable battle were before US. We marched
about five miles, when the immense column divid-
ed, one half going to the left a road that d.
our division keeping the main road nearest the
river-at this point, rapid and continued firing
was heard in front, and we halted and were or
dered to load. Every one of US expected we were
attacked, and that were to be Immediately en-
gagged in battle, but not man Ainched. all SEEM
ed eager for a fight. But the rebels not
ready for US, and after firing once at us without
doing any damage, they rapidly retired. We then
marched forward and deployed in front of Lew
insviIle, which great town is nothing or less
than three houses, about one-eighth Of mile from
each other, and of in the distance, a church. We
were drawn up in line Of battle an d waited three
hours, in vain, for some demonstration from the
enemy. Our regiment was then marched into the
woods, where We remained until nearly night
Ny company were, part Of them, detailed in COM
mon with others choppers, and in short time
whole of beautiful forest of oak and chestnut
were leyeled: We had prepared a splendid en-
campment for the night, well sheltered from the
wind and with great fire in the centre, around |
which we purposed to lay during the night. But |
alas, for our dreams of comfort, just were |
comfortably fixed, We were ordered to "fall in |
and moved on abou. mile, enclmping on the top |
Of what is called Smoot's Hill. We were in line |
of LATHE on our arms all night which |
with nothing between US and the ground, or to |
shelter us from the cold wind, was any thing but
comfortable
The 4th Regiment was honored by being placed |
on the extreme right Of the whole force, and i'm |
mediatoly at the point where the attack was ex-
pected; next to us was the celebrated Shermans |
battery, now commanded by Capt. Ayros. We
fully expected a fight before day-break, and were
all anxious for it. Gen. Mcclellan and staff were
with Us, ana an immense force at hand, to come
up and support Us at any time when necessary.
The sun arose at last on as tired, sleepy and
hungry a set Of m,n as it ever shoro upon. In
short time our rations arrived in our wagons, and
we buIit fires, ate our breakfast and gradually
lmbered out our stiGened limbs. We were allow
ed to sleep during the forenoon, and about PM
informed that our advance was permanent one
and selecting site, pitched tents on the
spot we now occupy.
The officers have blankets enough fer comfort,
but the cold lights are very severe for the boys.
Alarms are the order of the day and night and
the "long roll" called US out at o'clock this
morning, to form in line Of battle, and remain
3 hours.
The position we now occupy is very different
from our camp at Chain Bridge The country is
level and beautiful. The houses in the vicinity
are deserted by the owners and occupied as head
quarters by our Brigadler Generals and Stats