Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-23
Our Army Correspondence.
FROM THE EIGHTH REGIMENT.
gurp Ts,.~D Nil Arru 10 1870

Sur ISLAND, Miss, April -, 1862.
Mn. Enron Sir; To-day is one TO be
remembered with US as it is the first time
we have received mail since we left New
York. We found some regiments that had
not received letter for nearly a month
There are some sixteen regiments on the Is
land, and understand one or two more are
expected. Two regiments are already under
marching orders, and learn by the bye that
il Is the Massachusetts, 2lst aud Connecticut
18th, and believe one or two others, be-
sides one or two batteries the whole to be
under command Of Gen Phelps. We expect
ed to see them set sail to-day, but the Great
Republic, which was to carry them. was
blown upon shore, but got off by some Of the
steamers which have been taken by the steam
er "Back Devil as she was named oy her
sccesh owners. She brought in a small prize
to-day am told. Those regiments going
out on an expedition are to take four DAYS
ratons snd forty rounds cartridges with them
and if they are successful think more will
follow soon. We had a grand review" last
Wednesday, which was really splendid af-
fair. Some fourteen or fifteen regiments
passed in review before Major General But
Ter and staff, and have good reason TO think
those which had been here longer. The left
wing Of the 9TH arrived on Thursday last, and
VIC were relieved oil some anxiety on their ac-
count, as there had been quite a storm since
the arrival OF the right wing OF the same reg-
ment All who have read Dickens" obser-
vsuons on the practical working Of the CTR
cumlocution Office" understand how ,ce are
getting along with the war in progrossional
point OF view. We can see the main land
from here, with the naked eye. We are in
hopes to get a nearer view in due time.
have just learned that three or four guards
we're killed by lightning during the terrible
storm Of last night,-but none were from
Vermont This Sunday morning there has
been a regimental inspection. The troops
looked first rate, and were comphmented by
the inspecting officers There is great anx-
+ iety among the officers and men of the Sth
to accompany Gen. Phelps ON his expedition.
We received letters dated March 18th, and
papers, lPatchmdn) dated 2lst, and we know
now the luxury of a newspaper, having been
weeks and weeks without one. Though the
news is cheering it is so late before we get it
that we of course expect some other success
has crowned our arms and brought us nearer
TO final victory, Scarcely day passes but
what some kind OF craft is taken from the
rebels, and Of course some prisoners. Once
in while one cast down and Responding, but
mostly cheerful, and feeling they have been
duped by their political leaders.
Divine service is conducted here somewhat
after the New England style, only we have
rather short service on account Of the ne
cessity Of standing up during the time as the
ground is low and damp especially on the pa
rade ground. In eight and forty hours after
we landed we had better cooking ranges than
any regiment have seen elsewhere. We
dug down about two or three feet deep near
the old fort, and obtained bricks and those in
charge Of the lime let us have barrel or two,
and we had some arches built after sugar
house fashion in double-quick time. Only
two deaths have occurred in our regiment
since it was formed. T. 2. X.