Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-03
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noying prelimlnares to 70 through before we can
take advantage OF it to rest Often Just as we
are about to release our aching shoulders from
the CALLING knapsack strap, the order atten-
tion is given, and we are moved perhaps siz
inches and perhaps six rods when we halt again
and wait Tor further orders Some run the risk
and sit down, others throw of their knapsacks,
but The majority wait, expecting every minute
to move TO another position that will square
more precisely with military exactness Now
while am in a complaining mood and have the
subject under consideration will give one of
a thousand instances, Just Tor an illustration. |
suppose 1t s understood that am writing these
letters for the exclusive benefit Of the younger
portion OF your readers who no doubt have a
laudable curiosity to know everything that per-
talns 10 the army, and all others are requested
to pass them by.
When we reached Perhams Landing, we
stopped as usual, and Of course went through
the customary evolutions preliminary TO final
bait. The word came at last and not doubling
Its good faith we eagerly threw off our burden
some knapsacks, hoping to have time to rest
and partake OF our rations. suppose re-
freshments IS Il word more m accordance with
the refined Of language, but iC does not at
had no coffee that morning, many Of US had
eaten nothing since he afternoon previous,
having come directly from the picket, and as it
was close on to noon we naturally began to feel
the Keen demands Of appetite. One OF our COM
pany happened to have paper OF tea which
he generously distributed as far as it would go,
and we repaired to the bushes near by and
struck up fire, and in a short time had IT COW
/ itb pf. far Iuot ~
was beginning to simmer and we were antcpa-
ting decent breakfast after all, the everlasting
order came for the fifth time believe, to = fall
m We had no means Of knowing whether
We were to march ten miles or ten feet, but the
old Colonel was coming and the order must be
obeyed and promptly too. 50 away went our
tea into the fire, and with it all our labor and
expectations and many tear lost their patience
too in that unlucky moment for their counte-
nances which few minutes before were all
aglow with animation, suddenly became darken-
ed with angry scowls, and more than one fierce
thunderbOit of wrath, In the shape Of oaths and
curses, was hurled forth from under that black
cloud of frowns, but OF no avail. Forward
march was soon ordered. We 90 on 200 yards
pesiiaps and halt, ansiisg knapaleks alsd. sis
down once more, but not long = Fall in"
back 10 tn place where we were ut first - Such
is life, soldiers life at any rate. We have
our yexations, triles AS we'll as stirring eyeuts
The next day we marched up the river to the
farm of Col. Robert, General OF the rebel army
near the White House where we remained till
morning, TINS was very pleasant place. We
had but very little to do except guard duty, out
considerable Of that guard was stationed
.. Ba., 49, H..
long. Tae always expected, but never welcome
detail for night fatigue that We had become ac-
customei To at Lee Mills, did not trouble US
here. We had nothing to do the principal
part OF the time but sit in our teuts aud discuss
the events Of the day.
The inevitable negro question would oi course
be the subject of the most animated conversa-
tion of anything we could bring up, ior thatn-
exhaustiblc subject claims prominence in camp
as we'll AS court, and there are almost as many
opinions expressed in regard to it in II tents
company as there are IN Congress. The boys
think it their duty to put down rebellion and
nothing more, and they view the abolition OF
slavery in the present time as saddliDg 80 much
additional labor upon them before the present
great work is accomplished Negro prejudice
is as strong here as anywhere and most OF the
boys would think 1t humlllatng eonpromlse
to the dignity OF their work 10 hayeit declared
that the object OF their services was to free the
repulsive creatures IRON slavery, and raise the
negro to an equality with themselves. | verify
believe it such u declaration was made to day u
majority would be inclined to lay down their
arms and, quit the service in disgust. The most
cordial reception by far that we have received
since we lett the free states, was rendered us by
this sable species of human property. As we
were passing by the premises OF one OF the more
wealthy farmers on our way here, a group OF
negroes score or more composed of men wo-
men and children of all ages, imbed upon the
fence by the roadside and greeted us in their
earnest simple way -" God bress you, "" Is glad
TO see you" is glad you's cOme," " God
bress you, and mauy similar EXPLANATIONS as
they bowed, and courtesied, and waved their
hands to us, attestng their childish glee at see
ing so many Union soldiers They were dirty
and ragged and probably as perfectly natural
result were Ignorant and degraded, but they
seemed 10 understand, as nearly all the negroes
here do, that somehow all this eommouon bas
connection with them aud will bring about then
freedom in the end They seem conscious Of
being at the buttom OF all this trouble, and all
the deceptions their masters could invent have
failed TO rob them OF this knowlodge.
Monday the 18th we had orders to start on
again. We were thoroughly rested aud idle
ness was beginning to beas rksome as marching
had been. 1t was actually relief to be on the
road once more. Tonight we are encamped IN
an oak woods, whose rich foliage protects us over.
head while buckle and blue berries just IN full
bloom make beautiful carpet underneath.
The whIpowll is singing merry on u branch
over my head and rs we are to start again IN the
morning at precisely four clock am reminded
that 1t is time to seek repose.
ANTI REBKL