Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-10-24
From the Eleventh Regiment.
Fort MASSACHUSETTS, J
Washington. D. c.. Oct. S. {


Bunker Hill, about two miles northwest,
between Forts Saratoga and Tauton.
The regiment has been divided into sew
en- parts, changed from infantry to heavy
artillery, and stationed one or two COM
panies in a place, on the line of forts on
this, the eastern side of Washington City.
Fort Bunker Hill is situated on a beau
tifully elevated rise of ground, and af
fords a splendid view of the surrounding
hills, swamps and patches of fallen trees,
fell criss cross shape, or any way to get
them out of range of the cannon in the
forts, for it may be necessary some day
to use them to play "shoot at target on
the side hill beyond, but | trust for no
other purpose in this war. For soon
this black rebellous reptile, which has so
long been curling round the liberty-pole,
on which hangs our proud banner, will
receive a terrible stab between the .;De,
with a bayonet tempered by the fires of
our Northern lights, which will send him
and his rotten and never-recognized gov
eminent off the American platform into
the "last ditch" Of misery. But ! was
going to tell you something about Fort
Bunker Hill. The fort is now in com
mand of Co. Of the 112th Pennsylva-
MIA regiment. But they have had or
ders to stake up their bed and walk" to
some other fort, which will leave the
whole concern in the command of Capt.
Rice. 1t is some 200 feet in length and
20 wide; has eight 32-pound guns, one
24-pounder, one howitzer, and two small
mortars. From its walls can be seen
the flags of Forts Lincoln, Saratoga,
Slemmer and Tauton. 1t is a strongly
built fort and has a very commanding
position against any and everything ex-
cepting feas, which climb in, in some I'M
seen and secluded spot, and get into the
bomb-proof, and are an everlasting nui
sance to sleep there the hours they do
not walk their beat The bite, howev-
er, is so small that we do not feel the ef-
fects of it until next day, when a nut
meg crater would be a very handy thing
for the boys to scratch themselves with.
Tauton is a larger fort, with seventeen
guns; two 24-pound rihed parrot, and
four 10-pound riaed brass pieces, the rest
beifg 28-pound smooth bores.
Day before yesterday, just at dark,
Capt. Rice had orders to report the next
day at o'clock, at Fort Massachusetts,
with 80 men, armed and equipped, and
with knapsacks and tents. Where we
were going from there, or what we were
going to do, was a secret TO us. The next
day at /, according to order, we started.
By this time camp stories were numer-
Gus. We were going to making roads
we were going to work on fort; going
to digging rifle pits; going to Harper's
Ferry, and were going to reinforce Nc
Clellan. Each man had his own story
to tell.
When we got along to Fort Tauton,
and were careless!y marching at route
step, we saw a horseman coming over a
hill, some 20 rods ahead. The captains
quick eye caught his shoulder straps, and
saw that it was Major General We
were drawn up in line, and came to
present arms" on a double and twisted
quick. He came up, saluted US, and
took branch road to the left, and passed
on. We did not know then who it was,
but found out afterwards that it was Gen.
Banks. We then resumed our march.
1t was one of the hottest days we have
had since we have been here so warm
day is seldom experienced in Vermont. |.
When we had gone a mile further we
we're glad to sit down beside the road !.
and wait for the baggage wagon to come
up, when we threw on our knapsacks as
though the one that got it on first was the |
best fellow. Half mile further took /
us to another road and opposite Fort
Massachusetts,, where we halted, and .
after waiting for the first regiment of
Maine cavalry to pass us on their way to .
Harper's Ferry, turned into a field on
the left, and pitched our tents. To-day |
we are digging rife pits.
l have just been looking ever Fort
Massachusetts. Eight weeks ago it was
a small fort with only seven guns but
since Stonewal Jackson has made his
great threats of coming in here, with his
little drove of confederate black boys,
and annihilating the whole Northern
army, an addition has been in progress,
aud is now nearly completed, 200 feet
long and 100 wide it has already
mounted IL heavy pieces, 3 of which are
rifed parrot guns. This part is called
Fort LAFAYETTE. When it is finished, il