Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-10-31

marched through the narrow streets, splash
ing along through standing puddles of water,
visions Of "plug-ughes" and "roughs" fitted
across our minds eye, and the fate of the
9th Massachusetts, was remembered by not
few Of the 18th Vermont A march Of about
two miles brought us to the Washington
depot, where the men were glad enough to
unsling their knapsacks and seek a short re-
pose in an open shed, the cold and chilling
wind and rain beating in upon them, render
ing our stop Of three or four hours anything
but agreeable. Refreshments were provided
for us at the soldiers relief rooms. and while
the men were eating it fell to the lot Of your
correspondent. together with the Major, to
measure the length Of the "red tape neces-
sary to provide for our transportation from
Baltimore to Washington,--a not very agree
able task, as it involved a walk tf nearly
three miles, the rain still pouring in torrents.
By the aid Of an oblging policeman, how
ever, we found our way to the headquarters
of Col. Belger, and after bantering some time
with the faithful sentinel at the door, we were
admitted to the Colonel's room, which he in
formed us was the bridal chamber OF the
princess Napoleon--an ancient but in lis day
a splendid mansion. We found Col Belqer
an agreeable and pleasant mana perfect
gentleman, and very soon obtained the nee
essary papers to proceed on our way to Wash
iugton. AT about FIVE o'clock in the morn
ing we went aboard the cars ready as we
supposed, TO be set down In the city Of Wash
ngton in season for breaklast,--a distance Of
only thirty-eight miles But we had no idea
OF the Inconvenience of a single track raii-
road where in addition to the regular pas
senger and freight trains, trains for the ac-
commodaton of thousands of troops had to
pass daily. Instead of making the trip in
two or three hours, as we would have done
in Vermont, it was three o'clock in the after
noon before we reached Washington
Our impressions OF Washington, az we APP
preached the city, were anything but favcr-
able. The entire rout from Baltimore is
through dreary, barren waste Of land, which
apparently needed but the hand of thrift aud
enterprise to turn it into fruitful garden /;
and our arrival at this city was seemingly at
the back door, so to speak, where neither
cleanliness nor decency were held 10 the least
respect. The cars were stopped in low
bog-hole through which narrow embank-
ment had been thrown up for the track, and
here we were ordered out TO form line and
march TO our barracks for the night. These
were as comfortable as could have been cx-
pected. and the men rested as well as they
could on the naked floor, with only their
blankets for covering. Bot sleep anywhere
was sweet TO them. after having made the
trip from Brattleboro in about forty eight
hours.
Tuesday morningwe were ordered 20 march
to East Capitol Hill, and pitch our tents, hav-
ing been brgaded with the 10Th Vermont and
two New Jersey regiments, under command
Of Col Derrom Of one Of the New Jersey
regiments. The day was spent in preparing the
grounds, pitching tents and drawing rations,
preparatory to regular camp life. Before
, night, however, an order came TO have three
days ratious cooked, and for the brigade to
, hold itself in readiness to march at a mo-
ment's notice.
Tuesday night was lively one about the
company cook stands, which had been extern
ported for the occasion. and by day light
Wednesday morning every thing save the am
munition was ready TO march. While the
ammunition was being drawn ready To bee dis
tributed 10 the men, word came that the
necessity for our marching orders bad been
superseded, and that we were to remain here
for the present. SO here we are still. in
daily drill preparatory to taking the field
whenever the order shall come for us TO do So.
The general health of the Regiment is good
, though there are few cases of colds, and
e several instances Of cholic and bowel com
{ plant caus no doubt by t0 liberal pat
8 ronaRe of the suffers tent. The pies, cakes
s and cheese. which have thus iaI, been freely
y sold By the sutter, have boen restricted. and
have no doubt IL will have tendency 90 re-
. move most, If not all, the cases OF bowel
: complaint The sick 10 The hospital have
% been comparatively few and these few, un-
s der the ,kilful treatment OF Surgeon Mich
o OILS and Assistant Surgeon Crandail, have re-
b NAMED but a short time. There are now
y seven patients in the hospital-Ezra Keyes
Co. H., Ira Russell and Henry Heath Co.
t q John p. Kellogg Leroy Prescott and Jas
Campbell, Co. J.. and G.. O'Parcher, Co. f.
d O'Parcher is sick with the diptheria the rest
are mostly bowel complaints and GONZALES
n cent. l. n Brooks, OF Co. f., is sick with
$ typhoid fever, and has to-day been removed
S to the Emery Hospital, but a short distance
from our camp. n 5. Davis, of Go. g., has
been in the Judiciary Hospital since our ar
% rival in the city, but is better, and will prob.
ably join his company again in day or two
Three we're left in the hospital at Brat,leboro
and three more at Philadelphia, but am not
able TO give their names. In this connection
will say that Hospital Steward Charles
Thayer to-day resigned, and Freeman Bixby
has been appointed o MI the vacancy, Ihayel
being appointed to the position Of Ward
z Master, MADE vacant by the promotion Of
Bxby,--in other words, Thayer and Bixby
have changed places.
Outside of our camp, | know but little
that is passing, even in the city, and as to
war news, am dependent on Philadelphia
e New York and even Montpelier papers fol
what little do get. SO your readers mus
J not expect much from me in the way of news
) so long as we remain in the city of Washing.
ton, which, so far as my observation extends
is most noted for hens, geese, pigs red-tape
and enormous high prices. IL would amuse
= some Of our free and easy Vermont farmer.
] TO unravel all the knots Of red tape that en-.
0 circle almost everything connected with the
{ army. One not acquainted with the modu,
e oPerandi Of getting at the drawing of even SC
small an article as a steel pen, might start al
D sunrise, and, unless he has some one to guide
him, would find it still undrawn at sunset
all owing to red tape, as it is called, but all
= for the protection of Government from fraud.
e and impositions.
Yesterday | visited the encampment Of the