The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-11-21
From the 18th Regiment.
CAMP VERMONT, near Alexandria,
Nov 9, 1862.

Nov 8, 1862.
Mr. EDITOR Since my last last letter.
in fact before it was given to our postmaster
our regiment moved to the quarters known
and situated as above. On arriving here the
Bradford company and three others were de-
tailed on picket guard for the next twenty
four hours. Our line of pickets extends from
point about four miles northwest of here in
curvilineal direction for seven miles to a
point on the Potomac midway between here
and Mt. Vernon.
1t is evident that the &" first families do
not dwell hereabouts. The soil seems good,
much of it, but there is general air of thrift
leseness prevailing everything. Our boys
are very unfavorably impressed with the sun
ny south, especially since the cold biting
winds and driving snow of the last few days.
Yes,we actually had. respectable snow leaving
upon the ground some three or four inches
of snow. Can this unusual occurrence be
considered as foreshadowing the general in
PRODUCTION and prevalence of Northen GUS
toms, wonder?
Since arriving at our present camp, one
week ago to day, cur drill has been entirely
given up, ard picket and fatigue duty have
taken its place. We have heen at work
considerably on..a series of new forts. going up
in the immediate vicinity of Fort Lyon, which
is about halt-miIe to the North of here,
towards Fairfax Seminary. There are also
daily heavy details of men to work in the
woods chopping logs for Our new barracks
and wood for daily use. The boys like this
last very well, but do not banker after the
spade and pick-axe exercise on the forts.
The fact that We are about to put up
shanties for winter accommodation looks as
if we were to make considerable stay at
this point. There are other circumstances
which am not at liberty to mention You
know, looking towards the same probabili-
t..
The five Vermont regiments are still to-
gether, under the command of Col Blunt
The 18th will be we'll commanded by acting
Colonel Farnham so long as that duty de-
wolves upon him. He mas recovered from
quite a serious sprain of the foot which he
received by the falling of his horse in the
streets of Washington several weeks since.
Very often indeed do We all congratulate
ourselves on having such able and esiimable
field officers. Col Blunt is beloved BY all
his men, who will stand and will be scoiie,i
by him on battalion drill with better feeling
than they would listen to praise from almost
any other commander Major Kingsley is d
fat, Jjovial, amiable man, who rides Very poor
", but walk:s into the affections of his regi-
ment without the least difficulty. Quarter
master Bronson a; first received some male
dictions for real or fancled shortcomings on
his part, but ! have he ard none lately
knowing how impossible it is for aug man
to administer in this department with perfect
acceptance, am inclined to think We have as
good 4 quartermaster as the average a,
least.
But in the whole list We have not a better
or more popular man than our chaplain, Nh
Brastow. He is liked by all-sain,s and sin
ners-the latter being the most numerous
class, Notwithstanding the moral element for
which the 18th has reputation. We have
had divine service to-day, which was well at
tended although the weather was unpropiti-
Gus. We have fine choir. and as the heavy
chorus of male voices sung DIR Holmes
Army Hymn,
40, Lord of Hosts Almighty King
Behold the sacrifice We bring
to the 81 rious choral, Old Hundred, the ef-
feet was solemn and grand, as the words
! Wake in our breasts the living fires,
! The holy faith that warmed eur sires.
! Yours truly, SLOAN.