Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-15
FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT
CAMP NuAR MISSIONER, CHARLES CRY
CoUNrY, Va, Aug 4th

CoUNrY, Va, Aug, 4th.
MR. EDIToR.-My pen has been idle in
your service for some time for various reasons,
the main one i'll health though there has been
little of impoi tance to communicate. In a
pleasant and healthy loc .tion, near good
springs we have been resting after our tolls
and dangers. preparing for those yet 10 store
for US, SO far as possible amid abundant
iutigue duty, the supply of strong picket
force, and the enervating heats OF mid-sum-
mer. The works which have been thrown up
here by troops ea-ied and weli-nigh worn
out, ate extensive and strong enough to have
been built under other circumstances, or to
hold at bay largely superior force, so strong
indeed that the enemy can hardly be expected
TO attacK. Picketing has not the spice afford
ed by nearncss to the enemy, as their hnu IS
miles distant from ouys, but that has been
supplied by the opportunity to gather the
blueberries and backberries which have been
thick on some parts Of the line, and TO get
some small booty from orchards and gardens,
Material benefit TO health has thus been de-
rived, though good order and military dis
cpIine,' may have been inlringed on. at least
those high IN authority seem by late stringent
orders TO think so, ana to piize the latter far
above the former. Strange that troops who
needed no caution or stringency when face 70
face with the foe, must be tortur anew with
the empty routine, which has forever blasted
IN our memories the hills Of Fairfax. Were
there some probability Of evil results from
what is termed lax discipline, structures might
have excuse; as IL is, 1t viii perhaps be the
very occasion of the evil feared
The weather, which through part Of June
and most Of jolly was very hot and oppres-
sive, has, since dog days commenced, been
more cloudy and windy, and consequently
cooler and more comfortable, though It's ei-
feet upon our health has not been all that
could be desired, yet we arc generally better,
a result due, however, in part to the abate-
ment of fatigue duty We drill each morn
ing, and an hour and half in battalion,
which is enough for exercise the remaining
time is spent in the manner usual to camp
life, quite portion Of late in culinary opera
tions on purchased vegetables, and our ratons
Of flour, temporary matter, till ovens are
prepared for baking The change of bread
and greater supply OF vegetables, are begin
ming to improve, and promise to improve still
further, our sanitary condition, SO that when
the hour comes we can strike heavier blow
at the heart of Treason. For the sake Of ef-
certainly till strongly reinforced We are
glad to know that sucoor is at hand,--that
the hoart of our glorious North beats more
strongly than ever for the Union
ELOQUENT APPEAL FROM rHE BATrLE-FlELp.
AUGUST 9Th, 1862.
Mr. EDIroR!- Please allow me, soldier
IN the field, through the columns of your pa
per, to address few words to those whose
duty it is, in this crisis OF our nation, to rally
for her rescue and deliverance from peril, or
to sacrifice private it terests and friends for
her sake in other words, 10 the people OF
Vermont, for who is exempt; Who cannot
by sympathy, If not by preeept influence and
active means, help forward the nations cause
Who cannot make some sacrifice to help pre-
serve our liberties, and transmit them with
their rich train of blessings to future ages
For what is our nation struggling, and her
armies toiling, enduring and fighting To
decide present issues alone, to merely main-
tain our national unity No for IN that de-
cision, and in that maintenance, are wrapped
up all the vantage ground gained foi human
ty in the past, and it brightest hopes and
richest aspirations for the future. Provi-
dence has forced these issues uron us; to try
to evade them is but dastardly cowardiee, aye,
high treason against truth and manhood
We are fighting humanity's great battle
shall we, dare we, suffer deleati Shall we
forego victory when we have only to put
forth our full strength to grasp it. Yet de-
pleted by disease and battle and worn out
with service, we in the field are out-number-
ed by our foes, and only able. for the present,
to maintain the defensive. Our generals and
rulers have called you to our aid but you are
,alled by other and more imI ressiye voices
by our past suderiugs, our manned and dlsa-
biz d brethren in arms, and the fallen. whose
requiem is brea,hed by the pines of Warwick
and tho ouks Of Henrico Who shall hll their
places and recruit our ranks who swell
our Numbers to an oyerppNering host, the
dread OF traitors, Surely Vermont will not