Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-12-12
FROM THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT
CAMP VERMONT, NEAR ALEX
ANDRIA, Va, Nov. 10.

ANDklA, VA, NOV. ~.
Dear Watchmqn My last letter was
dated at Camp Casey, East Capitol Hill, |
Washington, and so long since that | cannot |
Iecolect the date Since it was written, this
brigade has seen some service-not exactly
in a hand to hand conflict with the rebels,
but we have learned something Of the beau
ties Of marching and unexpected moving from
one post to another A brigade review had
been assigned for Wednesday Oct. 30th, to
come off on Capitol Hill, and the boys had
been busy in making preparations for the oc
cGsion f; the securing of guns and brushing
of coats and pants was the order of the day
on Tuesday at sunset, and everything was in
readiness for good display at the review on
" ednesday. Our surprise, therefore, can
well be imagined when, at an early hour on
Tuesday evening the order for review was
countermanded, and We ordered to be ready
at o'clock tie next morning to march to
Camp ewsrd, on the Virginia side Of the
Potomac river. But as an order to move in
dicatea work for the % Vermont Brigade, it
was hailed with delight by the boys OF the
18Th. Promptly at the hour Wednesday
morning, everything was packed and the
whole brigade marched from Capitol Hill,
through Pennsy vania Avenue, across Long
Bridge, and rested for dinner on the sacred
soil of Virginia, and then moved on TO the
new place of eneampment, some three miles
from Long Bridge, where we were order to
pitch our tents and make ourselves as com
Portable as we possibly could.
You have already noticed the enconiums
that were bestowed upon the brigade as II
passed through the city of Washington and
trust that they are not undeserved. II was
a splendid display, and not few of the Yer
monters residentin Washington have express
ed their proud satisfaction in seeing so fine
display Of the citizen soldiers of their native
state, "a display which all admit has not been
txcelled aimee the war broke out
Arriving at our newly selected encampmeni
IA thick underground of bushes interpreted
with sturdy oaks and venerable pines-at a.
bout o'clock in the afternoon, it would have
surprised even the pioneers in the settlement
OF Vermont to have witnessed the rapldity
with which the grounds we're cleared prepar-
story to pitching our tents. Axes were i'm
mediately in requisition, and in less than al
hours time the dsvouring flames we're spread
over some two or three acres aud before sun
set the same ground was thickly covered with
tents and everything in readiness for thu
night. To say that the boys slept sweet
that nigh is entirely unnecessary, as few q
your readers are unacquainted with the sweet
Of sleep following day of severe hardship
and fatigue, even though il be nos upon
downy pillow. Thursday was spent in com
pleting the work so hastily done the nigh
before, and Friday we were mustered for pay
"a very agreeable proceeding, as it foTeshsd
owed the speedy arrival in camp Of the gov
eminent pay master and as each mans nam,
was called, he could almost fancy his poke
full Of green back"--a fancy which "
can still enjoy, as neither the paymaster q
the green back" have made their appeal
nnce.
And here let me say that the boys were M
little disappointed to find that instead {
being mustered for pay from the day of er
hstment, or even from the day of the orgar
ization Of the companies, as they had suppo'
ed they would be, our muster rolls are mad
out from the 10th day Of oetober,--the da
we were mustered into the United States sci
vice--with the comforting assurance that th
sl4ie ough. to have paid US up to that tim
and hint am told on the part VI certa
tIleial,. tina, the neglect Of the state ofdeia