The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-20
(Our War CorreSpondence.)
A Soldier's% Letter.--No. VIII.
OK THE MARCH.

camp near w est fOint, May H. loOZ. !
EDITOR FREEMAN The duties OF q soldier
are very III, equally divided in regard to time.
Some days ta may have nothing whatever 10
do but 10 pass tbs time as best he can ; and
then Of a sudden he may be called upon TO per-
form all that his physical powers Can possibly
accomplish, and often his power Of endurance
yields to exhaustion, and he is obliged to stop
ere his task is completed. These extremes Of
physical exertion may not accord with the
strlctest rules of physiology, but they certainly
do not conflict with the rules Of military lite.
Sunday, May 4th was something after this
sort previously we had been doing but little,
except such guard duty as was necessary but
this day We were called upon to march--not so
great q distance, perhaps, as many have done,
but added to our diminishing it was far enough
to severely test our capabilities for this depart
ourselves for our usual inspection, when the
was in every ones mouth that the enemy were
eyacuating. We could hardly think it possible.
We did not know whether ii was matter tor
congratulation or regret, for We had confidently
believed that Gen. Mcclellan would, in the end,
bag the whole of them, and we aid not wish to
have them escape. They had either deceived US
OF uau UCCOlIC DIV VIC VI
the operations that were being prepared for
their destruction. This was point that caused
considerable animated discussion in The ranks,
pu5 which probably failed to bring out any very
scientific strategetcal knowledge ON either side.
However, there was Il great feeling OF relief, and
the boys chsered heartily as the news spread.
We marched out into the open telo beyoLd
our picket lie, where il mad been certain death
!. !
straight across the DIM into the rebel works
Every Where was apparent the terrible destruc-
tons our firing must have caused On the 10th
ul.. Trees were pierced through and broken
down, branches were strewed about, ana the
ground Was gouged and furrowed in all shapes
and directions Dead horses were laying half
buried inside the fort, and other offensive mat
ter scattered all about. The stencil was intol-
cradle, and must have bred pestience as hot
weather comes on. Alter a short consu Itation
among the officers, We were sent back after our
apsacks, tents, and rations. This we inter-
preted as meaning march, and we were not
disappointed. So, partaking heartily of some
half-cooked beans that had been intended for
dinner,-for We had no notion of losing the very
best luxury our commssary department affords,
we prepared ourselves for our journey and
started, We marched on through fields and
woods. turning to the right and Left and march
ing sometimes in one direction and then in q d.
rection nearly opposite. verify believe if ous
course was all considered beforehand the man
that planned it must be in league with some
supernatural power. 1t was very warm day
and the heat increased every hour as the sur
mounted toward the zenith. Cold water was
very much needed, but it was very difficult tt
obtain any fit to drink. A pure spring by The
wayside would afford drink to but mparauvelJ
few besides we had no time to stop. Our KNAPP
sacks grew hoavy many of the boys threw
them away to relieve themselves of this tor
menting burden.
J From ID negro it was found that some " hors
troopers" had gone in certain direction, ant
our reg iment was deployed as skirmshers il
pursuit. We soon came upon what appeared q
, he II burning bridge, and we fastened forwar,
; to save it if possible 1t proved to be a mil
that the rebels had set fire to, and they wer
: just leaving. We pursued them, firing when
, ever We saw good chance. They had made
7 bonfire of boxes OF cartridges by The side OF tn
} road which cracked like bunch of fire cracker
on Fourth Of July. We marched in this wa
4 as skirmsbers the greater part of the afternoon
a when we were ordered to return as we came
nv Dulul miil VIC pdW VIZ OWuci, U HCSIN
: who was guarding his household goods whic
e had all been carried out of his house. He sal
d the rebels told him to burn his house and folio
i them, for the Yankees would destroy him an
d all he had. They probably would have mac
d his house share the fate of the mill had it NJ
d been for our timely arrival. He manifested ,
l. much inward satisfaction at seeing US, as If
&c had suddenly recognized an old friend.
70 The afternoon was fast waning when we g
he back to where we wero first deployed as ski
re mishers and being very tired us we'll as hungr
q we expected this would be our camping pla
er for the nlght,-the wish being father to t
III thought. Probably but few orders had be
= obeyed with greater promptness during the d
be than the command, Rest, was at this time.
whaS relief few minutes rest like this afordc
IN Surely they wouldn't be SO unIeeing as to ma
a. us continue this weary march any further tn
IS. night. But the stern, prompt order, Fal!
he sounded the death knell TO these pleasing i'll
ld slons. We were soon on the way again. I
k. Vermont Brigade was two miles further on, II
at we must overtake them. Could we accomp
na this distance! Our shoulders ached under
no CALLING knapsack straps which they had st
he ported all day, and our feet were sore and b
ia tered. but still the column moved on. Our t
miles heightened into four, but no signs of
ey Brigade yet. Inc Captain, leading the colun
Is, was often implored to halt and allow US
De- minutes rest the Colonel having rode on So