Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-11-21
From the Tenth Regiment.
SENECA LOCKS, MD,
Nov. 8, 1862.

before enlisting Il constant reade- OF the
Standard, feel almost lost without it,
weekly yisi:alons. True now and then
a COPY GGds lis way TO Or camp, but it
takes so long for our mail to get here that
the papers are not very fresh when we
receive them. AS | have never seen
ANYTHING in regard TO the position and
circumstances of our regiment in the
chance glances that | have obtained Of
your paper, have concluded 10 write Il
few lines concerning affairs here which il
you see fit you can insert in your columns.
should not expect 10 wlie ANYTHING
that would interest your readers it did
not know that the all absorbing interest
that the good people of Orleans feel in
the affairs Of the nation, and those that
have gone out 10 protect ii from traitors,
cause them TO gladly receive any intel
ligence that comes from Vermont re9i-
ment$, however feebly it may be pre-
pared. Our regiment has not as yet seen
active service in the field. We are now
encamped near place called Seneca
Locks, near Seneca Greek. Upon first
coming into Maryland the regiment was
distributed a company in n place along
the line OF the Chesapeake aud Ohio
canal, to do picket duty. We then had
charge of about six miles along the bank
Of the Potomac for the purpose of pro-
tecing the canal and preventing commu.
nicalion across the riye-. We are y ct
pickering, although our details are not so
large as they were before tie Mass. sob
and n. ii. l4th came into our brigade
which is under Gen. Grover. The de-
tail now averages about ten priyates daily.
Our lurthest posts extend about three
miles from camp, and as we are allowed
to have fire on our posts and are re
Ii.ved once in "a hours, il i. very pleas
ant duty in fair weather. We are we'll
provided for in the line of tents, ratiOns,
clothing, &c. We have been furnished
with small fly tents in addition TO our
camp tents which afford great deal OF
comfort ON picket. The weather has been
very mild aud pleasant as general thing
until ,he last few days. Yesterday NOR.
ming heard The boys cheering loudly in
the streets; by looking out soon learn
I'd that the cause of their enthusiasm was
snow faxes which were gently falling
from The clouds. 1t kept falling siosly
all day, making decidedly stormy day
Of it. should judge there was about
three inches Of snow on the ground last
night and it has not all gone yet. To-day
wind is driving from the northwest. -
This sort OF weather is a gentle reminder
TO the boys that it is high time they were
doing something to make their quarters
more comfortable. Oar tents are now
most OF them pitched on What ATE f'mil-
isrly icFiaed cob houses, made Of poles,
about four foet high and pointed with
Mar. land mud, which makes very good
mortar. This arrangement with stove
or furnace inside, made Of old IRON or
stone makes quite comfortable habita.
ton. There has been considerable sick
ness in camp since we came here, chiefly
.low fevers and mild type Of fever and
ague. think these diseases are caused
by the Leavy dews and fogs we have had
as much as anything. Another thing
that was injurious was the stagnant water
which stood in the canal for long time
after we arrived here, owing 10 the breach
made in the canal at some point above
here, cutting OF the supply Of water
Ooe reason why we cheer cold weather
is because it drives away the " shakes,
so the citizens tell Us.
The whole number that have died il
this regiment | believe is "a. The Los.
pital is pretty well filed with sick now,
though | believe The number grows less
as cool weather approaches.
Oar Ii. Colonel has resigned, conse-
quently Major Henry takes his place
Capt. Chandler Of Co. /, has been pro-
noted TO Major instead Of Capt. Frost Of
Co. A, as some Vermont papers have sta.
ted. think we have some superior Off
GERS, though of course we cannot tell how
they will prove if they are ever called
upon TO face the cannon. But IL Col.
Jewett has as much frmness and energy
ON the battle field as he has on the par
ade ground, Vermont never need be ash
AIMED of him. We are now drilling when
the weather permits in battalion and com
pany dril'.
The country round about here presents
as a general thing, forsaken, tumble
down appearance, occasioned in part,
presume, 10y the war, but principally by