The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-16
(From the Tribune Correspondent
From McClellan's Division.
ON THE pENJNSI1JA Va Ami


During the cannonadiDg for the first ten day.
of the occupation Of this place by our army
not more than 4 or guns were developed, anc
those OF light artillery. This, however, is moi
the case now. We may infer for certainty,
that large re.enforcements have since arrived
that more and heavier guns have been placed in
position, and the works strengthened. Last
night our pickets held conversation with the
Rebel pickets on the other side Of the Warwick
River, not more than $50 feet wide, in the
course of which the fact of the arrival of re-en.
tOrcements and johnson was confirmed. | do
not understand, however, that even the best in
formed have anything trustworthy concerning
the strength of the enemy. 1t is assumed ~
be large the Manassas army in fact.
An army never was stopped in a place with
more Objectionable features. The country as it
has presented itself since we have been here is
of little value to anybody. From it's general
fatness there is but little drainage, and the
vast quantity OF rain that has fallen during the
past week lies on the surface. AS consequence
The roads are bad beyond description. Empty
teams drawn by four mules are frequently una
BILE to get along. The chief occupation of the
army thus far has been to make new roads, and
more miles OF corduroy road have been made
during the past week than [ would dare say for
fear Of being disbelieved. In this work the
Maine and Michigan men lead. They are capable
of anything.
Gen. Mcclellan, whose headquarters are
about the centre of the peninsula, has issued a
complimentary order to the 9th Vermont, for
the excellent manner In which, under Gen. Han
cock, they made the reconnaissance of the Rebel
positions few days since. The notice is de-
served, and especially is the conduct of Gen.
Hancock deserving Of commentator. He
craWled on his hands and knees for long dis
lance through the woods to obtain a sight of a
Rebel fertilization, had passed considerably ahead
of his skirmishcrs, and, having taken a delibe
rate survey Of the ratification, suddenly found
himself in close proximity to a number of Rebel
soldiers. Seeing this Gen. H. beat retreat
A volley followed him, but luckily he was not
hit, and was able to make good his escape. 4
soldier came suddenly upon number Ct theen-
envy. who fired at HIM. Suddenly retreating,
his knapSack, belt, and indeed hisentire" traps
were shot away but he got off without wound.
A number OF instances of personal daring are
related characteristic of the regiment. During
the first days skirinish on right two soldiers
one from Maine, the other from Georgia, posted
themselves each behind tree, and INDUCED in
shots, without effect on either side. at The same
liuic hoepipS up livery chtb' rll'aily llat
growinga little tedious, Georgia calls out to
Maine 8 Give me Il show meaning step out
and give me an opportunity to hit Maine, in
response, pokes out his head "a few inches, and
Georgia cracks away and misses. g Too high
says Maine - Now give me a show" Georgia
pokes out her head and Maine blazes away
" Too low > sings Georgia. In this way the
Two alte!nated several times, without hitting
Finally, Maine sends bali SO as to Craze the
tree within an inch or Two of the ear OF Georgia.
IS Cease firing" shouts Georgia. - Cease it is,
responds Maine. g" Look here" says one, - we
have carried on this business long enough for
one day. 'Spose we adjourn tor rations -
" Agreed says the other. And SO the two
marched away in different directions, one whist
ling Yankee Doodle" the other " Dixie
Toward evening" while we lay in front of the
Rebel work at Lees Mills. Col. Stoughton sent
his fine band to a point Of land which had been
the scene of sharp skrmising, and where the
Rebels were not far off. The band played
" The Star Spangled Banner,"' Hail Columbia
and other patriotic pieces, and the Rebels, in
stead of firing, cheered immensely. The scene
had its significant features.