Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-11-21

Capt. Boynton marched US up the hill,
, and gave us the order, {" halt, rest, and
, now boys look about as much as you
please for a few moments" We had a
fair view of Alexandria, Washington,
Georgetown, the Potomac and any guam
tity of camps, in every direction Except
towards the South were camps as far as
the eye could reach. We soon marched
on until we came to the reserve, which
place we arrived at at | l-2 o'clock, p. m.
At this place we were in waiting for Col.
Brown, until IL, p. m. We amused
ourselves in various ways, such as look
ing around to see the country. We were
allowed to 60 in any direction, but to
keep within hailing distance On the
east of the road was a level piece of
ground, upon which Capt. Boynton pro-
posed to have a game of goal, in which
all Joined, and tried each Others speed at
running. This was fine sport for u.s. 1t
reminded us of old Vermont. The game
passed off very pleasantly, and continued
for nearly two hours. Then the boys
prepared for supper, some cooked meat,
stepped coffee, toasted bread, &c; on the
whole, we mad good supper. Just below
the line of pickets, at this place, is a rife
pit about twenty rods in length, which
commands the road, and valley below.
This line is stationed along range of
hills called Cedar Ridge, and along the
| road. When Col. Brown came to post
us, we fell in and followed on over the
hills towards the Potomac; passing some
very good farm houses, which arc guard
ed. We passed some deserted houses and
and farms; one very splendid mansion
built of brick-two main buildings, con-
nccted together by a long brick shed.
This place was deserted by man who is
now Col. in the rebel army. The doors,
windows and inner walls of the building
are broken down. On the plantation the
fences are all down, and every thing bears
the aspect of ruin and decay.
The country along this ridge is beauti-
full. Now and then a splendid grove Of
Oak or Cedar with q farm house here and
there. The last plantation on our line is
one formerly owned by Gen Geo. Wash
ington, lying on the west bank Of the Po-
tomac, upon which now stands barn
built by him. This barn is built of hard
Pine and Cedar, worked out in Connecti-
cut and brought here and put together.
Capt. Boynton was stationed at this
house, upon this 1lantation) with one
sergeant and two privatcs. Just below
at the fork of the road was q reserve of
two non-commissioned officers and six
privates. There were three reserves on
the line, within the limits of our compa-
ny,-one at the first post which we guard
ed, the other two at public roads. We
all liked the business we'll. Every man
was ready to stand on duty his appointed
time. The officer of the guard made his
appearance at our post about 4 o'clock A.
NJ, and we challenged him the same as
though we knew rebel was making his
escape through our lines.
Between four and five o'clock we began
building fires and to prepare for break
fast. Some went for water and some for
sweet potatoes, &c. We cooked pork po-
tatoes and coffee, &c, and enjoyed a
hearty meal.
From sunrise until afternoon, (along
the line) might have hccn heard, the re-
port of rifle which was contrary to the
rules of picket, but our boys being igno-
rant of the fact, and receiving no orders to
the contrary, took the liberty to try their
guns this being their first opportunity.
They proved to be very accurate, both at
long and short range; good shots being
made at distance Of seventy rods. When
Capt Boynton learned of the sport the
firing ceased. Just before dark our mail
came to us--the first we had received since
leaving Camp Seward-together with one
days rations, and orders to stay twenty
four hours longer. No one was displeas-
ed with this new arrangement, as many
expressed desire to stay longer Moth