Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-10-03
From the Seventh Regiment.
Camp Williams, La, Sept. 16.

Camp Williams, La. Sept. 1G.
FRIEND EARLE.-After a silence o.
six weeks ! will endeavor to give you g
few items which may interest you as an
American citizen, and ! know that the
people of Orleans County feel an inter-
est in the welfare of the Union army
You have undoubtedly heard all about
our suffering, and the trials that we went
through in those swamps opposite Vicks-
burgh; then,in a weakened condition, with
scarcely a skeleton Of regiment, were
called into action with the fresh troops
under Breckenridge, with three to our
one, and it being the first time we were
brought under fire of the enemy, we ex-
hibited the different phases Of Tue raw
soldier, some by finching and lodging,
and others by standing firm and fast, and
showing the true Green Mountain spirit
of '76. That was as hard contested
battle, for about three hours, as ever was
fought. | had the honor Of being en-
gagged n the battle of Baton Rouge:-
Is men in the ranks, with our i com
mssioned and n.cummissioned off.
GERS, was all our company could muster
out, and the rest of the regiment was in
the same conditions but as good luck
would have it, We won the day.
On the 2lst of August we evacuated
Baton Rouge, and came down the river
to Camp Williams, about 4 miles above
New Orleans.
We are encamped on a pleasant site.
in company with the 9th Michigan on our
left, the 30lh Mass and Louisiana on our
right, nterspersed with three batteries
We have had quite number of long
rolls to call US out, bnt as yet no action,
all false alarms. For the last ten days
everything has been quiet. We are an
ticipating the rainy season now in about
ten days. and then, according to the cal
culation of the inhabitants here, we shall
be unable to move, or do anything more
than keep soul and body together, on &C
count Of the mud.
To give you an idea Of the luxuries
that we soldiers get, aud the prices which
we have to pay, have TO say that sweet
potatoes are So per bbl., Irish potatoes
$l2 per bbl, onions 40c. apiece, cheese
Acc. per h., butter SOC. per h., dried APP
pie l5c. per h., green apples $50 per =
Dbl, eggs l0c. each, milk zoe. per quart, +,
half water at that wl.iskey 81 per pint, -
brandy $3.50 per pint, and everything !.
else that the suffers sell in like proper -
ton.
The health Of the regiment has i'm =,
proved wonderfully within the last fort {
night. One thing | wish to say to the h
people OF Orleans County, TO the young, in
he middle-aged, and the old,-don't for
Gods sake, have to resort to drafting TO O.,
Ill the quota for that County; and to the b,
riends in Glover, with whom my inter- .
,sts have been associated for the last sew -,
N years, and with whom pray that in
nay yet live to a good old age beg h,
If you to rally to the ranks, and Y,
lot have it said that you are drafted men "
rom Glover, Orleans County. hope to ri
ee the record bright and shining. l feel 81
deep interest in the well being of my h.
dopted country and town, aud l watch #
he papers with an anxious heart to see il 81
ou are doing the RICH, thing. God #,
peed the right
FERNANDO RANDALL. %