Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-15
GEN. PHELPS, CAMP.

The correspondent of the Philadelphia
fress gives the following account of visit to
the camp of Gen. Phelps near New Orleans
l visited Gen Phelps camp few days since but as
he was not present on my arrival accepted the kind c
Whites Of Lieut. EN Hitchcock, formerly Of the 7h
Vermont, now one Of Gen Phelps aids-de camp who
conducted me 10 all the prominent points Of defence pro-
per for civilian see and embracing an sntoya5e If
several miles round the camp II would proper TO
describe what for information by the way Of Phi
ladelpma would serve the rebels just well a. any
Zen Phelps is located a " isthmus above Car
Tolton Lieut.. Hitchcock is young and ardent student
OF his profession, and with such young men coming ON
we heed nor rear mat our country will be wanting Of
courage ralen in any future crisis that may menace
her.
On my return to camp, Gen. Phelps had returned
and number Of visitors were present. some on busi
ness, to find fault and some out of good nared
curiosity The General received all with easy good man.
nefs and was ready with repartee argument rebuke
as the occasion might demand lie Is tall aud spare in
person he wears heavy hair and whsker, about thild
gray MS counenance is tanned and weather
MS headquarters are in ordinary tent. Although
vacant houses Of absconding Seeessonsts invite him TO
occupy them as headquarters, he prefers among his
men, Although aabe TO his visitors, il was plain 10
see mat ms mind ran upon his military duties for he
turned aside several times to give directions and 10
make inquiries Of his officers.
three OF his visitors old residents and planters Of
lhe state One OF them wished &c inquire among the
n'groe, IN camp and get iu1matien about the guerr-
as ana To prove some facts he found two, and asked
~ i ~, w ak mem down To town Gen. Phelps
asked the boys # they were willing go with the gen.
ueman They were, and the General consented OF
COURSE asked no impairment questions, but inform
ed mat mere were about two hundred and fifty negroes In
camp They have cut about hundred cords Of wood
they have also done considerable dtehing and they car
All the water from the river that is used in camp
They not armed drilled BY Gen Phelps or hs Of
heers but Ike all working gangs Of negroes they have
SORT OF ruling character boss among them who in
his case Ia an old fellow named Scott aud is now duh
PED GENERAL Scott Scott has had military aspra
uons Tor military tenown and he has tried to drill these
men, much TO the amusement ~ the officers In camp
VINO as "e as Gen Phelps, have .crupuluusly ahs,an-
ed nom int terence way or the q her Old Scott
not knowing The manual Of arms and having no weap-
ons has thus far progressed only to forming his men In
hne' holding up the right hand holding up the leh and
counting Ot. ~ So"
Gen Phelps il is said rigidly excludes females from
h camp 70 prevent the immortality that might result
therernm HIS course from these facts appears 10 be
10 ADMIT INTO his lines all negroes who can be made of
nnly 10 me enemy by labor or military service To
TINS u Is objected that " Union sympathis, p. as we'll as
stoessionsts may thus lose their slaves the ins,i
uhnh be weakened where II exists and dssatisf ing
'htct prnducfd On those remaining s, cessionsts wifi
gun bic aud lie about settlement that NAV he made
Of his matter Gen, Phelps visitors Who a1nearsd IN
DC sincere Union men, took occasion TO differ widely h
respectfully nom hin in the conversation On leaving
me camp hwe'el they oppressed their respect for his
snceri and geu'leinanlY department
Geo Francis Train was imprisoned in Lon
don on the lst inst.,t to prevent his embarkinQ
for America where he intended TO raise vol |
unteers.
Az order from the Adjutant Generals Of |
nee provides that officers Of volunteers on ac. |
eonnt of disease contracted before entering
the must he tnuefsr,l ..s,t