The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-03-21
From the Vermont Brigade.
CAMP ON FLINT HILL. FAIRFAX Co. Va. }
March l., 1862.

March II, 1862.
To tie Editor Of The Coledonion:
The army of the Potomac has a; last made.
or begun to make, its grand advance. No
battle has been fought, not gun has been
fired, but Centervile and Manassas are in
possession of federal troops. This news will
hardly be credited, and even to us soldiers.
can hardly be believed. but it is so. as quite
number Of officers in this camp were there
yesterday and no oI.e was seen but one dead
man that they left without burial. such was
their haste to depart.
l will try and give your readers some ac-
coun: of our movements, although have TO
use drum for desk, a lead pencil for a
pen, the ground for a seat, and the canopy of
heaven for shelter. About week ago, Vi
emma was taken possession Of by our troops
and was guarded by regiment at a time,
that the track. which had been torn IN bv
the rebels, might be laid for the purpose of
transporting munitions Of war by rail, in
stead of teams. Last Thursday night the
Vermont Sd was detailed to guard the place.
and more disagreeable night we never have
seen. 1t was very cold, land not even match
was permitted to be lighted. The houses
there and all other places are nearly or quite
deserted; the inhabitants fleeing at our ap-
proach. Many marks of former encamp-
ments were plainly visible, bat not a rebel
was to be seen. Saturday night the railroad
was completed, and long before daylight on
Monday morning thousands of men were on
the move. The Vermont Brigade was mov-
ing at four o'clock with knapsacks all packed.
We arrived at the place of our present en-
campment at noon. Nearly al! the way it
rained steadily, making it very muddy and
wetting US pretty thoroughly, but the men
stood 1t much better than could be expected
with the heavy loads they had on their backs.
We brought our small tents on our backs.
and are likely to have no others fer some
time. The old tents are left standing with a
guard and the cooks, who do our cooking
there and send it to US each day. Many of
the men have built Dough houses with boughs
to sleep on, which are more comfortable than
the little light tents. Monday night it clear
ed OFT, and slnce then it has been very pleas
ant. The mud has dried so that it is good
travelling, and the troops are impatient to be
moving. When or where We shall move is
impossible, but most likely We shall leave
here before long. There are many conjec-
lures as to where the Vermont brigade will
60, now that the rebels have left their strong
holds. 1t is thought by some that it will 60
down the coast, and by others that we shall
follow up the rebels.
Gen McClellan's headquarters are at Fair
fax Court House, which is within sight of
Gen Smiths quarters. Gen Mcdowell is a.
bout mile beyond Fairfax Court House.
The movement of this great army is a sight
one seldom sees in lifetime, as several Yer
monters who were here on a visit will testify.
But very few tents are to be seen over this
vast camping ground except the little, low
picket tents, which are of but little use but
to keep the wind and dew off Long lines
of wagons may be seen at all times, as we'll