Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-11-01
Correspondence Of the Watehman.
FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT.
CAMP GRIFFIN, FairfN County, !
Virginia, October 10. 1861.


Virginia, October 10. 1861.
Mr.. EDITOR We are still encamped
where we we're week ago, but may move
forward at any time probably shah before
long. We are beginning to see little of
fighting, but only at a distance, namely slight
diminishing along the line of pickets, with
the capture of some prisoners and cattle, and
the discharge Of shells from our batteries.-
We have been alarmed and called ort in line
of battle several times, but al yethave not
been called to met the enemy and shall not
probably before we reach their strong holds at
Bull Run and Manassas Our troops are said
to have occupied Fairfax Court house yester-
day while they retired without a stand this
if so, may be their old decOy game, bat per-
haps they will find their bird hard to bag
Our slow and cautious advance with every
possible preparation and precaution must
sooner or latter break them down with its IT.
resistable weight. Confding in our leaders
we shall patiently wait for victory. and clutch
its wreaths at the appointed hour.
The first death in our regiment occurred
Yesterday at small house a mile or more
back used as a hospital. that of S. c. Smith
of Company b, from Washington, Vermont.
A young man Of intelligence and genius, of
fine social qualities, and high moral character,
the company may well mourn bis loss as that
of brother, loss we fear not 10 be repair
ed. Our deepest sympathies are with the
bereaved home circle. to whom his remains
are to be forwarded for interment. 1t would
alleviate our sorrow to know that he had
been more properly cared for, before it was
too late. though there was little chance Of
saving his life. The regiment continues about
l in peu.l haalth - hail IN lot La.
others, although quite a number need medi-
cine each day, of course not always the same
individuals We have now received our shirts
and drawers. some their overcoats and some
their dress coats, some both so that we are
quite comfortable as far as clothing is con-
cerned. We are still much behind other re-
giments in our style of living, but with pro-
per apparatus and more experience hope to
fare better. Perhaps the good people Of Yer
mont will think your correspondent of a com
| planning disposition on the contrary, he is
full as eontented and hopeful perhaps, as
some who represent things in better light,
in order to quiet the apprehensions Of friends.
Whatever he may have said, has not been on
account of personal inconvenience, but rather
to let the truth be known. We notice in a
late number of the journal, remarks from
your correspondent in the 5ih kRgiment which
call for statement Of facts. He must think
the 4th much more bully set Of boys than
they have the name of being if he supposes
we could have filled our haversacks with two
days rations from tables almost empty and
which many did not see at all for supper, and
Furthermore we would say, that preierring
scanty to precarious fare, nine-,enths OF
our bread was thrown to the fishes of the
Sound and we we're the better off for it,
Probably his advice about our going home
will not be followed till the 9th are able to
take our places as advanced pickets, to say
nothing of fatigue duty and skirmishes.
Yours, S.