Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-03-06

At last the dark cloud that has so long OBJ
scured the political horizon is clearing away
the prospect as we'll as the aspect is cheer
ing. Victory after victory has caused ter.
rible sensation throughout the whole rebel
kingdom. The chuckling over the Burnside |
fleet has altogether ceased, and now they |
stand
"W,th open mouth and staring eyes,
Like one descended from the skies
Their prophets have proved false to them,
and now their once happy anticipatons are
frustrated. Their hopes are crushed, and
forever. Their shortsightedness has proved
their ruin; and lesson may be learned
from this, that to leap before you look is dan
gerous.
In my last, made mention Of the capture
of several rebel pickets by the Cameron ORA
! goons. They have since captured six more.
Several escaped by jumping from their horses
and taking for the woods. One horse was
killed and one or two others wounded. One
Of the rebel prisoners received severe
wound in the lett side Being at Headquar-
tiers at the time they came in, can give you
brief sketch of Rebel soldiery. None of
them had on uniforms, except ono who wore
an overcoat taken at Bull Run from Maine
regiment. Their clothing was Of rough
| texture, and not much OF that. Two OF them
had no hats or caps, probably lost at the time
of their capture. They were quite laxative
when they found out no one intended to in
! jure them. One Of them, very intelligent
looking chap, seemed less inclined to utter
his views concerning their condi ION. Yet
enough was learned from them to convince
us that they were not in the best of circum-
stances Upon their persons were found sew
eral letters which. fully confirm the report
that they we're leaving Manassas and Centre
vile, and that drafting had commenced In
good earnest. They also stated that they
had received no pay since July last. One
of them had a two-dollar bill on Tennessee
bank, the only thing in the shape Of money
in his possession, except five or six Confed-
crate postage stamps These they exchanged
for ours. Also their secesh buttons upon
their outer garments were exchanged.
AT the time of the capture of the thirteen
rebels negro boy came in, who ran away
from his master-and at the time of the cap
ture Of the last six he was also taken, but let
loose again. The negro boy on seeing his
master, more pleased on account Of his es-
cape than seeing him, remarked, "How do
you do, Massa? r. "Well; how came you
here ?" The boy, with grin on his phiz,
replied, 30, l found my way here" In the
course Of the conversation, the negro boy
used the following language, Well, Massa,
l have taken more comfort SINCE | came here
than did all the while | lived with you"
He also stated that his master was staunch
secesh, and is in possession ofabout dozen
slaves. But to me it seems little strange
why be should be allowed to roam at large.
The fact is, there are too many of like
stamp not far beyond our line Of pickets-in
my opinion doing more damage than all the
rebels caught at the time he was. If this Is
war for money, snd if a certain clique
wish the war to continue, on account OF their
monied position, this course is the way to do
it but if it is war of confscation, a war fol
peace, then | say cen6ne all who are the least
suspected of being traitors, or at least make
them take the oath of allegiance. This il
my style, and what true patriot is there that
differs with me in this particular. 1t is peace
that we want, not war for the sake of money
Then let everything in our power be done
that can be done to shorten the war. "Fol
behold the day cometh when all nations shall
be Judged" and "blessed are the peace
nakers'-not peace-breakers.
On Saturday, the 22d day of February
Washington's birthday, our regiment had
a universal celebration of their own. Al
though IN the morning the different regiments
composing our brigade were marched to oul
old Camp ground, they listened to the read
ing of Washington's Farewell Address, be
: sides having a. brigade dress parade, which
has taken place once before-qu tie a novelty
. indeed On returning to our new Camp
! ground little excitement was gotten up il
the shape of fun, in which the Lieut.. Colone
: participated. A pole was creased, d ter
dollars place upon The top OF it. Two dol
lars and half were offered to any one whit
would climb half the Distance, but no on
won the prize. The next operation was
foot race by the different officers of the regi
}. ment and the four who touched the pole las
were to pay one dollar each. At the word
q desperate struggles were made, of course, t
reach the pole first. Our Lieut.. Colone
led the van, but somehow failed to touc
the above mentioned pole. Next at hi
heels was Captain, who fell full length, i
time to reach the four dollar pole. Thus the
came one after another, now and then s'rib
ing it, but the majority failed to do so, know
f ing that if they touched it not they woul
:, lose no dollar. The joke passed off pleas
~ - an,ly, all sharing in the merriment. Th
. next thing on the programme was foo
y race by the corporals and privates-thre
s being chosen from each company. Fir
d prize, So second do, So; third do, 5
- The first prize was won by corporal
J. Co. F, the second by private in Co.
Q and the third by corporal in Co. Z. Th
= next operation was a foot race by the pr
" Yates, having sack drawn over their pc
sons. Prize one dollar-won by one fro
Co. E. TIE next thing was FIVE dolli
Il creased pig, purcha ed at Washington fl
l., tha purpose. The whole regiment joinin
s in the race, soon caused "porkie" to CON
! to a dead halt. The ones that caugl
:. him were to take him for their booty. II
i was captured by several from the followiu
e companies One from Co. II, two from C
G, one from Co. F, and one from Co.