The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-18
(Our War Correspondence.)
From the Sixth Vermont Regiment.
CAMP GRIFFIN, Va, Feb. -, 1862

CAMP GRIFFIN, Va, Feb. -, 1862.
EDITOR FREEMAN You can form bus a mea-
gre idea of the excitement in Camp Griffin and
along the Potomac, as fast as the news could be
carried from camp to camp, of the success OF the
Burnside Expedition. There was a rumor
short time previous, that Gen. Burnside was de-
feated and slain, and two thousand of our men
taken prisoners, which caused many an honest
heart amongst us to grow faint, and counte-
nances to fall. But when in short time after
it was ascertained that our brave soldiers had
been victorious and taken Roanoke Island, with
all the fleet belonging to the enemy, captured
many prisoners and ordnance, and achieved
most complete victory, the reaction of feeling
was SO great that shout after shout rent the air
in honor of our success and the glory of our old
flag The boys belonging to the Mad River
Valley Company are feeling in the best possible
spirits, ever real y to obey the orders of their
officers, and sincerely hoping for the command
" forward march " to be received.
This morning twenty-seyen contrabands came
to our line OF pickets IRON the vicinity OF Hun
ter's Mills, having travelled most Of the night.
They mostly belong to three secessionists, who
are prominent members of the Southern army.
One woman, however, and several children be-
longing to her, are claimed to be free. They
are Of all sizes, all conditions, and of both gen.
ders. They brought with them one Virginia
wagon drawn by two ordinary horses, the wagon
loaded with somewhat Of a variety of goods,
such as boxes, bags, bundles parcels, and little
contrabands. They came of their own free will
and gave themselves up to our pickets, and as
they were under the charge of Gen. Brooks (the
pickets belonging to the Vermont Secondly they
We're sent to his headquarters, within few rods
of the Sixth Vermont, where the General gave
them some bread and sent them on their way to
Washington. They stated that they came to US
on account of learning that they were soon to
be sent South.
To-day three batteries crossed the Potomac at
Chain Bridge, and encamped within half mile
! of u.s. mostly on the side hill next beyond the
camp of the Cameron Dragons. There are
quite large number of batteries in this camp,
and the various movements indicate that we are
preparing for active service soon ; think as
soon as travelling will permit. The mud is yet
deep. For two or three nights back the weather
has been cold, but tonight think it will not
freeze, and few warm, drying days and nights
will much improve the travelling. A few days
ago we had views Of our encampment, regiment,
and Of each company separately, taken by an
artist from the city, which will be quite inter-
esting to our friends in Vermont when completed,
and we will sec that some of them are sent to
some of our friends in that State. And now,
hoping that the rebellion may soon be crushed,
and each soldier return to bis friends and family
there long to enjoy the blessings of a free gov
eminent and free institutions, | close this COM
munication.
Truly yours, for our common country,
A. NJ. N.