The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-30
A Soldiers Letter-No. TX.

but 1T Is the nearest approximation to accuracy
that can give. We are marching towards the
| rebel capital slowly but surely, the rebels re-
treating us we advance. A negro has just in
| formed us that we are within sixteen miles of
| that city. According to his testimony, he has
heard them express their determination to make
desperate stand at the Chlckahominy river,
five or Blk miles tins side OF Richmond, and hgh t
us there till their last man is killed, if necessa
ry, before they yield. This kind Of talk is get
ting to be an old story tue same was SAID at
Yorktown.
We lett our pleasant camp near Williamsburg
Friday morning, May 9Th at break Of day. and
In the language Of horse racers made excellent
time till the middle OF the afternoon, wh,n We
halted for the night n u wheat field adjoining
tue road. Here we spread down our blankets
for bed in the open air and laid down to rest,
the moon keeping vigil over our UNCONSCIOUS
hours. doubt il ever king in his royal palace
enjoyed more refreshing repose than aid we sol
dlers that night, tatigued we were by the
day IS march. If spectator had visited us at
dead of night and heard the hoarse music that
was dlscOursed in regular metre from thousand
pair ot nosfrlIs, he would need no further evil
dence that soldiers can sleep soundly enough in
open alr, and that soft beds and downy pillows
are not Indispensable to good nights rest.
We resumed our march early in the morning
and pushed on till afternoon, this time halting
IN the orchard OF staunch secesslonist. Hun
cry and tired it was gra :eful privilege to rest
but our haversacks were solemn moo kerry 10
our appetltes. Hard crackers, and but limited
supply OF them, were their sole contents No
meat, salt or fresh, and (ot course) no butter or
cheese to eat with them have noticed in some
papers the antullzlng statement that abundant
supplies of commissary and quartermaster stores
have been FURNISHED the army here; but If 30 we
are quite frequently an uncomfortable exception
in receiving this oountful supply. 1t don't
mend the matter to complain, 81 the boys pa
tiently submit.
Those that had the materials made coffee in
their tin cups to eat with their crackers, and
bread and milk fashion such dish rellshes we'll,
providing a fellow is sufficiently hungry Under
these circumstances, you will hardly blame the
boys for being tempted 10 capture some OF the
80 Virginia rabbits that were squealing about
in the woods near by, apparently common prop
erty. There were some good suppers eaten out
side of the officers tents that night, wh!ch may
possibly diminish the inventory OF property ON
the estate OF this man, who. If | am correctly
informed, has served in the rebel army. Tins
= wanton destruction OF property was
promptly checked as soon as 1t became known
A large patrol guard was established and heavy
punishment threatened to every SOLDIER caught
IN suls business. Secesher = property was vIgl-
lantly protected. Not q rail was allowed to be
touched, nor hen lnsulted, that belonged to
hun. hope he will be induced to recipr0cate
this unmerted kindness and take the oath Of
allegiance,
Sun.ay We had entirely to ourselves. No
marches or iatSues are req ured of Us on tins
day, unless absolutely necessary. ten Me
CIellan respects the Lords day as do IL large
proportion of his men. Many OF them respect
1t IN re because he does than from any other
consideration. Divine services were held in our
regiment, the first We have enjoyed the privilege
OF attending since we left Camp Griffin
The next day we marched on to New Kent
Court House, where part OF our regiment was
detailed Tor picket. We left our posts the fol-
lowing morning, falling into line us the remain
der OF the regiment came up, and marched to
Cumberland Or Perhams Llnding on the Pa
munky river. This was cmphatcally d cross
lot march, and the distance If counted bv diff
cultieS instead OF miles would reach an enormous
figure The route lay through swamps and
creeks and thick underground woods-the most
difficult place in the world to march. March
ing in a column mile or more in length is al
together a different thing from marching alone.
1t the head Of the column comes to a ulace
where but one can pass at "a time those in the
rear are obliged to wait til all ahead of them
have reached solid ground 50 that whenever
they have crossed the swamp, or creek or what
ever the obstruction may be, they are far behind
and 1t takes long lime to get the ranks closed
up There is general order issued to remedy
this evil, but 1T can hardly be said to be efiectu
al. This kind of marching, especially after a
ram, may be considered the rule, while good
marching on good solid ground is the exception.
II some OF the boys in Vermont, who think Il
soldier 3 lie an easy one, had been in the ranks
with ns during our various marches, they would
have found practical logic in the reality to
convince them that marching is iatiguins bust
ness, even for soldiers, these hot days-and
rainy ones are no better
The word - halt y is always an agreeable
command, but there ie always II great many an
noylng prelmlnarcs to 20 through before we can
take advantage OF 1t TO rest. Often lust as we
are about to release our aching shoulders from
the CALLING knapsack strap, the order a,ten
ton Is gwen, and we are moved perhaps six
inches and perhaps Six rods when we halt a,ain
anu walt tor further orders. Some run the risk
ana SIT down, Others throw OFT their knapsacks.
nut me majority wait, expecting every minute
70 move To another position that Will square
more precisely with military exactness. Now
WINE am III complaining mood and have the
SUBJECT under consideration | will give enc OF
d thousand Instances, lust Tor an illustration. |
suppose 1T Is understood that | am writing these
letters Tor the exclusive benefit OF the YOUNGER
portion OF YOUR readers who M dnuhf ,o,,a ,