Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-21

! pOsal and so, all well mounted. our little party
of six set of at a sharp pace over the stumps Of
fallen forest to the very handsome camp of Col
Smallcy. After very pleasant, but brief visit
with him, we rode south over hills and throus b
forests, passing camps and tAtteries almost with.
out number, until we reached Halls hill, held By
two or three Maine regiments and strougIy forti
| fed. 1t was now late in the afternoon, and the
] dress parades were going on Every thing ap-
peared in perfect order for instant serv,e bu, the
I fne sweet music of the band Of one Of the regi.
ments seemed to inspire the thought that it was q
scere intended rather to delight the sense, than
to rehearse the grim realities Of war
We had, SO far. followed the outer line Of the
encampments along succession Of hills sloping
eastward and northward to the Potomae, distant
at this point some six or eight miles. In one d.
rectiOn lay broad before US the river with the no.
Bile Capitol beyond. its white marble bright and
pure in the evening sunshine, while in tho other,
stretched away rolling and partly wooded ooun-
try, beyond the famous Fails Church. towards
Centreville and ManAssas.-:he lard of the enc
my. We left the shelter Of our frowning guns.
and descended to the West 10 visit the ancient
buildings; the few mean house in the vicinity
were deserted and dilapidated and here had,
"SDence settled wide and still,
On the lone wood and mighty hill"
With feelings of overpowering sadness we dis
mounted near the Church, and climbing over
the old fence which even war had left around
the building, we were in the Church Yard. Fine
trees Of oak and cedar shaded few very ancient
graves Of the patriot worthless of the olden time,
we'll as, at their side, the fresh earth covering
the bodies Of rebels slain at DrainsvilIe;-what a
contrast.
The Church is oblong homcly structure,
little more than story high, built Of English
bricks, with the ends apparently only exposed to
view, and alternating red and black. II is said
that in this church George Washington was mar
ried. The door stood open, and wo entered. There
was neither porch nor vestibule, and we found
ourselves in the middle of the side Of The interior
which consists Of enc single whitewlshed apart
ment, with a small retiring closet for the Rector
The pulpit was very high and clumsy. and the
peTs were separated by the high old fashioned
partitions. In one Of the walls plain marble
slab had been inserted, bearing this inscription /:
"HESRY FAIRFAX, a faithful citizen, an up
right magistrate, sincere Christian, died at Sal
tillo. Mexico, A. D., 1871. But for his munif
cence this Church might have still remained a
ruin
Here was the immortal Washington married !;
he had slowly walked up this narrow aisle with
his fair bride; here standing at the pine railing
Of this Church, his deep voice bad responded his
VOWS, in the beautiful service Of the Episcopal
Church now, the walls are covered with the
scraWled names Of rebel soldiers, written in char
coal upon the plaster We silently left the sa-
cred, but desecrated place, and pluckins some
sprigs from an old cedar shading the doorway,
mounted our horses and rode away.
We ewere now on the Leesburgh turnpike and 10
the land Of the enemy, or rather in the debata-
bic land lying between the pickets Of the oppos-
ing forces. The mud had almost disappeared and
We saw with quickened pulse that no obstacle now
lay between cur army and Manassas, save the de-
fences Of the enemy. Taking bye road We gal
loped towards Lewinsville at rapid pace. seeing
no living thing save frequent focks of Virginia
quail, and the myTisds Of crows that seemed to be
lowering between the two great armies, if wait
ing for the battle, until reached the first sta
tions of the atehfu pickets Of our friends in the
copses. from Viii eh the tramp Of our horses would
bring tho hidden soldier. The cry of "Eho goes
there" and "hal, - together with the threaten
ing position Of a riied musket, bring to a sud
den stand still; the Colonel and staff are rsoog-
nized. the for lalites are performed, and We dash
on, and soon ind ourselves at the main support at
Lewinsyile, whence a sharp brush across the fields
brings US in To the hosPit4ble tent Of the Colonel
with the appetites of old campaigners, after ride
Of fifteen mile. along the borders ofrebeldom.
At midnight the order eams that the division
move. Then, in the camp Of the 9Th Vermont.
and in the dozen camps around US, came scene
Of the widest aud mos, joyful excitement. Cheers
songs, and consraiulation were the order Of the
day, or rather Of the night. Rdtions were pre-
pared, knapsaeks packed in readiness for the
movement at dawn. Before sunrise the whole di
vision was msrshaled on the open plain to the
southwest Of the encampmenis, and moved of
through Jeuinsville for Flint Hill, near Centre
vile, expecting at that Poin' to meet the enemy,
it not being then known that the rebels were re-
treating Bull Run was to be retrieved, and new
er did troops give greater evidence of being in
earnest. Though an entrenehed camp Of great
strength was to be attacked. every eye blazed
with ardor. and every foot KEEP; step to the music
Of the Union. Thus the army of the Union COM
menced its grand advance not again to turn north
wcrd until its mission should be accomplished;-
10 be disappointed in finding the Zoe fed FROM its
stronghold, but still hoping to bring it to bay ere
it should fade away altogether, for with the SOL
diers vengeance for the old revers, was the all
prevailing passion. Yours -