Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-11-15
FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT

NAMr tNiNflk, virginia.
Fourth Kept VI Vols, Nov. 4, 1861.
EDITOR on JOURNAL After an unpar-
donably long silence l will try once more to
give you some news from the Fourth YER
mont As you may know, we are still in the
same quarters we have occupied since coming
from Camp Advance, and when the weather
is dry it is a very good place for an encamp-
meut The ground is rather hard, however,
after being well ;rodden down, but none of
the boys complain Of this when they are well
and able 90 care for themselves. Last Thurs
day nj -ht was one TO tty what stuff soldiers
were made off, IL raiued most of that day,
and did seem 90 cause much inconvenience 90
men ia the tents. The bitches were all open
ed. aud all wa, supposed safe tiil all were
waved in the night by sheet Ct water COM
NJ In upon them, aud standing OF drowaiug
were their only alternatives. Many Of them
are now sick. Zoo consequence ofiheir wettng,
and not having sufficient clothing to maze
them comfortable during the cold nights,
which we have ia the "Old dominion Nir-
ginia can beat Vermont IN the way Of lgosts
this fall ! think.
1t seems strange to those the Fourth that
our clothing is so very long IN coming to us,
when we see the Fltn so well uniformed and
know that the Sixth was furnished fully ere
they lief. the State. We have now twenty
patients in the hospital and fifty more who
should be there, If there we've accommodations
for them besides more than two hundred who
are unfit for duty, and very many Of the cases
can be traced directly to the want of over
coats. do not know where the blame should
rest. but same nne must be at fault, and who
ever is so, is. in a great measure, responsible
for the amount OF sickness which we have at
this time in our Regiment, and | hope it will
soon be remedied. ! do not know however
as our Regiment is any more sickly than the
others around u.s. but ours is more so than il
needs to be- There have been but two deaths
with as since going into camp. Measles and
bilious fever are the most common diseases
now, and the former Of these is in the Reg-
ment pretty extensively, but not at all dan
gerously short time ago there was an
larm Of small pox and all who heard it look
ed blank and pale, but it proved TO be only
measles, in an aggravated form, produced by
imprudence in diet. and now there seems to
be no fear of that much to be dreaded disease
in the camp.
We cannot see as much prospect of an ad-
vance into "Secessia" now as we could three
" eoks ago. but one may be made very soon,
and all seem to be anxious TO move onward,
prelerrng action to the monotony OF camp
life, though all are satisfied TO await the move
ments of Gen. Mcclellan.
All are looking with anxiety for news from
the feet, and many are the rumors of its des-
tination. Sumter, Savannah, New Orleans and
all other places of importance on the southern
coast, are named, but the telegraph will soon
decide. Life in camp is very monotonous
now the Surgeons call raises as large a
crowd as anything in the regiment, with the
exception Of meals, which are well attended
to. Police calls, guard mounting, picket de-
tails, skirmish, company, battalion and brig
ado drills are coming to be bore with the
boys, and all are more anxious to come to the
practical part of war.
hear that the rest of our overcoats are in
camp, but have heard so so many times that
can only believe it when I see them: we all
hope it is true if they are here we are well
clothed now, though wooden socks and boots
will soon become an absolute necessity with
us. The Journal greets me regularly and is
poured over by many Of those who delight in
home news. Yours very truly A. d. A.