Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-09-20
LETTERS FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
CAMP LYON. d. G., CHAIN BRIDGE, /
Sept. 18th, 1861.


Mr.. EprroR When last ! wrote to
you we had got comfortably settled here
at Camp Lyon. and here we have remain
ed-with the exception of a hard week
spent IL miles west of this place, up the
Potomac at place called Great Falls
until about week ago. On Tuesday,
Sept. I'd, through the day, signs of
move were visible on every hand, and at
9 o'clock, P. NJ. roll call, we were ordered
to be ready to march in one hour, with
two days rations Accordingly we march
ed at about / | o'clock; crossed Chain
Bridge and went forward some 2 miles
into Va. All at once as we were going
along very still and quiet, we received
the order ITO the right; about face for
ward, march load syou 60" We turn
ed, loading, and gained an excellent po-
sition by the roadside, where we staid, in
line of battle, until daylight, expecting
every moment the enemy to pitch in, as it
was reported that we had advanced in the
dark to within few rods of large body
of the rebels. At daylight we marched
to our present camp, where we have COM
menced fort some 40 rods square, and
nearly finished it. BY great misfortune
! Ito me | mean,) | was taken very sick 4
days ago, and was sent back by the Sur
geon to this our old camp where | have
been gradually gaining so that now | am
almost able to take the field again.
In regard to the projected movements of
our army, we of the rank and file know
absolutely nothing, and Of the supposed
movements, we have not halt the means
Of knowing what they may be that you
have. We only know anything after it
has happened, and then we are not sure
of it, unless we see it. so many and fool
ish are camp stories. During the last
week many of our Reg and also of the Sd,
have been deeply panied to hear of the
death of Thomas Gleed, of Morrisville.
When the news came to camp, great
number, who during life considered him
good fellow" row that he is dead, re-
member traits in his character and life
which endear his memory to them, aud
stamp his life as good fight How
ever have no thought to pronounce an
culogy on him, only to tell you that his
friends and acquaintance here, mourn
his loss, and deeply sympathize with his
family and friends at home. To day we
chronicle the arrival of some 80 recruits
for our Co. from Vt. They come in a
bnsy time, when the work is hard, and
food none of the rarest; however we hope
they will not be homesick. They cannot,
from the nature of things sec one-half of
the deprivations that De did, as Govt has
made better provisions for her boys of
late. chronicle to-day smart skirm-
ish which took place yesterday between
detachment Of our troops. and a body of
the enemy. can only tell you of the
loss of our VT Regis; further | don't
know. In the Vt. I'd, Co A. one wound
cd. In Vt. Sd. 2 killed and 5 wounded.
recruits still continue to arrive, and when
[ stop and think of the great Importance
of the present struggle almost wonder
that the men, and women, too, of the
North, do not turn out en- masse, and
come over and help us. Still they have
done well, as VIC number among us the
best and most talented of our men; and
far better, the loveliest. kindest. most vir-
tuous and elevated of Gods last, best
gift to man. our worshiped sisters and
mothers. You at home can never know
the bitterness of the knowledge we feel.
when we find that there are indeed trait
ors at home, and worse STILL what we feel
when VIC hear of mothers in our own
towns and neighborhoods restraining sons
who would serve their country, and dis
shading their female friends, with that
most powerful appeal to the female heart,
the pretensc that none but disgraccd
women are expected to 60 to the army as
nurses" from coming to give us their help;
their countenance in our sorrow their in
Auence to keep us good, and to remind us