Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-10-24
THIRTEENTH VERMONT REGIMENT
CAMP CASEY, East Capitol Hill,
Washingtnn. Oct. l6.

Washington, Oct. Is
DEAR JOURNAL Work is the order Of
the day. and that is the only reason have
not troubled you with another letter ere
this. Now have found few minutes, and
| will improve the opportunity
Shall describe our journey here Well
we left Brattleboro' after day and nights
hard work IN active preparation, at about
o'clock last Saturday and arrived here al
about 3 o'clock Monday following Just be-
fore leaving Bratueboro', little event occnr-
ed, which created quite an excitement, among
the boys. 1t was this. Company A, in this
regiment is composed mostly Of lrishmen.
and many of their wives aud sisters and
friends were there taking farewell leave OF
them and there was consequently great deal
OF lamentation, wringlng Of hands &c, and
the strong feelings of This impusive people
were all excited thereby making the spectacle
appear as though their hearts were all break
ing. Then too, some of them refused to
start until they had their bounty (which was
not paid them till after they got into the
cars and taking it for all in all there was al
most row in the company. Capt. Lonergan
and the other company officers did their ut
most, but after the battalion line was formed
the Colonel and other officers of the staff
had to attend to them, and so bad was their
conduct that the rest Of the regiment got very
tired standing with their arms and knapsacks
on waiting for them, and many of the boys
became almost exaggerated. One fellow re-
[ fused to obey the Colonel, and got up quite a
row about him, and all | could see Of that
occurrence was the plucky Colonel suddenly
leaping about four feet higher than the crowd
and coming down like thunder upon him,
and as looked through the legs OF the men
| could see Colonies foot rapidly coming in
to frequent and uncomfortable proximity to
the rear muscular guard Of the fellows bones,
who soon " begged the company fell in, we
marched to the cars and there occurred another
scene. Col. Brown ordered Capt. Thacher
to march down our gallant and now impatient
company, which was done and we formed in
two ranks completely around them. Then
we were ordered to fix bayonets, which we
did, and 1 stood at the head and looked a.
long the line Of the boys, knew by their
compressed lips and nervous movements that
few things would crafty them more than to
- well don't know what they wanted,
but do know that Company A was soon
still, and in the cars, and since that their own
officers have managed them. think Capt.
lAohtlBtu is Il TenAfkhDle man.
1t will be remembered that this is the same
company that went into to second regiment,
and were disbanded on account of their in
subordination. They now behave well, and
if ever they go into battle pity their foes.
Well, we left Brattleboro and were glad to
leave. But very few people came out to bid
us goodbye, and the boys were not surprised,
for they had all acquired an uniavorable idea
OF that place. The people there seemed to
care nothing for us only to get our money,
but when we arrived in good old Massachu-
sets, what change! Men, women and chill
dren came out at every station to greet us,
and they showered us with bouquets, brought
us bread, cakes and cheese and fruit, gave
us cheers, aud in some instances, even more.
One or two handsome captains received kisses
in Springfield, and many were the boys who
determined to 90 to the old Bay State to live
If ever they came back from the war. In
Connecticut It was night, but the people
were out to meet US, Notwithstanding They
called us all along the route the handsomest
regiment they had seen yet. One young lady
at Hartford remarked to your correspondent
"Why, should think you Nermonters were
going down to reclaim the secesh women, you
are so very good-lookingw | thanked her
and told her we felt hattered, Tor the ladies
of Springfield thought just so, and even went
30 far as to kiss some of US. lis that soi"
said she "Well we will not be outdone by
anything there is in Springfield" whereupon
well. I've nothing to say. At New Haven
we embarked on the Continental, and the
next morning awoke in Jersey City We
then took the cars and at three o'clock ar,
rived in Philadelphia, and there were met b,
a large coneouIse Of citizens and escorted tC
/ a large hall, aud treated to splendid supper
= gratis, and then took the cars. and moved of
amid the r0usiug chpprs If tho ,oultitnJe