Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-11-08
Our armu Correspondence.
Correspondence Of the waichman
FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT.
CAMP GRIrFIS, Fairfax County,
virginia, October %, 1861.

Virginia, October %, 1901
Mr.. EprroR IL had hoped ere this to be
enabled to chronicle some important II not
decisive movement Of our forces in which we
of the Vermont Fourth would bear part t.
But we still remain hero, although under
marching orders, pursuing our usual round
Of duties forming our line at sunrise, drilling
in the frosty morning and the warm alter
noon, eating our rations, and sleeping away
the cold nights, all too short from nine L.
M. to five A. NJ. for those whose rest is often
broken by midnight vigils on picket guard.
Rumor for time relieves suspense only to
lure us in still greater doubts, and nothing
breaks our monotonous routine but the more
important episodes of camp life. Our expe-
riences the mast week have been: rain and
attendant mud on Tuesday and Wednesday,
the distribution Of dress coats on Wednesday
night and Thursday, the review Of Thursday
afternoon under our new General Brooks. the
arrival of the Vermont Sixth on Thursday
evening, with the welcomes and greeting of
the next morning, the review of other troops
this forenoon and inspection of our own
brigade this afternoon, all incidents OF in
terest and importance and some of them of
no frequent occurrence. On the whole the
week thus far has been a busy one, and the
remainder promises to be no less bustling.--
II has been a trying time for those on picket
guard, though rarely without overcoats and
clothing otherwise sufficient, yet to remain
still in the open air during the long watches
of these autumnal nights will chill almost any
one, though as yet little injury has been ex-
perienced So with the firing in line at day
break, and guard duty in camp. VIC shall all
gladly hail the day when we can all wear our
own ovetcoats, and lending and borrowing OF
them will be bygone necessities When we
have these. with a change Of drawers and
boots or leggins. we shall do our best to face
the elements or the enemy With little fear OF
either To speak the truth we are more afraid
of the former than the latter, for the present
at least, As far as my observation goes how
ever, more are benefited than injured by our
life in camp, uncomfortable as IL is at times.
With plenty of clothing and a tolerable loca-
ton for his troops,a udicious commander may
find them benefited permanently, except in
dividuals, at the close of campaign. And
it seems to me that large per centage to
those who may be injured, are themselye al
most wholly to blame. Our impressions of
the Sixth are favorable but perhaps comments
are superfuous. We feel a growing pride in
our own regiment, which seems likely to prove
the flower Of the brigade. However, our
conduct might have been against us, we GER
tainly looked finely yesterday on review, a:
we all appeared in full uniform for the first
time. II surely would not have lessen
ed but rather heightened our pleasure, had
our brave and service-worn comrades of the
Second aud Third been fully equipped in the
same uniform with ourselves'and the Fifth
We doubt not Vermont will soon see to il
that their wants are supplied. 5.