Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-04-11
CAMP between Newport News and /
Fortress Monroe, March 26th. I

4hiiiS vi puhuaJ hoihihS, anu WIN tuO
rest of Smiths division, marched to Alex
andria, where we embarked on board the
steamer Vanderbilt. 1t took several hours
to get all the baggage on. We started
little before sunset and steamed down the
river short distance and cast anchor for
the night. 1t was damp and chilly on
the deck so that nearly all were glad to
obtain shelter Between decks We started
next morning at day break and steamed
down by the rebel batteries, now dumb
and deserted.
When 1 went on deck we had got down
where the river is wide and the water
clear. The Virginia shore is rough and
covered with Oak and scrub Pine, with
now and then splendid mansion, with
its domestic huts and rich plantation sur
rounding it. The Maryland shore is bet
ter cleared and more thickly inhabited.
About noon we got into Chesapeake bay,
where we could tell but little about the
shore. All the way down, we met small
sailing craft bound for Alexandria or the
Capital, mostly ladened with government
stores we also met several steamers each
tugging 8, 4, 5, and some 6 empty schoon-
ers; these will probably be used as trans
ports. About sunset we got to Fortress
Monroe, and got glimpse of its frown-
ing guns and massive walls, surmounted
by grassy parapet and watchful senti-
nels. We disembarked and bivouaced on
the sandy beach, and slept quietly under
the shadow of the celebrated structure.
| was detailed to assist in unloading the
baggage, so | did not get to sleep as soon
as the rest When the revelle drum call
ed on us to fall in for roll-call, we found
that we had slept close to where the cele-
brated Union and Lincoln guns are noun
ted. They are mounted on the beach,
close to the waters edge; the former is
protected by sand bag structure in front,
while the latter stands out unprotected.
This gun attracts much attention as it is
the largest calibre of any in the United
States. | believe it is smooth bore
about 20 feet long and admits Is inch
ball The Union gun is about the same
size on the outside, with about ten inch
rifed bore, consequently it weighs about
q ton and half more than the Lincoln
gun and throws conical ball or shell
nearly 8 feet long; its entire weight is
52,0O5 pounds, and the sentinel who was
guarding it said it took rs pounds of pow
der to load it, and with a slight elevation
it will range five miles. Some of the
boys who rambled around, saw the Moni-
tor lying out, watching for the Merrimac.
did not get sight at the "cheese box. "
Camp near James River, March 3lst.
Since commenced the above, we have
changed our camping place. On Thurs
day morning we started with two days
rations in our haversacks, and marched
up along the bank of James River. When
we had gone some twelve miles, we found
the enemy's pickets, who fled on our ap-
proach, setting fire to bridge on their re-
treat. The line of battle was formed in
quick time. Our regiment was divided
and thrown forward to skirmish in the
woods Col. Whiting and our Major
went with the right wing. Our company
is in the left wing, and was under the
charge of Lieut.. Col. stannard. / never
saw Gen. Brooks so cool and gentle; he
rode in front of us and gave directions to
the skirmishers. The bulk of the troops
stayed in the field, where formed into line
while the skirmishers went out some two
miles where they were told to stop, and
after waiting we returned to where the
troops were left, and rested for the night.
On Friday morning we retraced our
steps about half way back to where we
started from the day previous where we
found a new camp laid out our baggage
had been brought up, and a few of the
sick that were left had coffee ready. You
may be sure the boys were we'll pleased
with that part of the programme. We
had expected row with the rebels the
day before, but were nicely disappointed.
/ think men never felt in better condition
Il a. -