Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-02

ROW THE SIXTH REGIMENT.

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WARWICK Co., Va. April IL, % I
Mr. EDIroR-I would be glad if possible,
to detail infinitely the incidents Of interest,
that have occurred since we left Camp Griffin.
All ] can do is to pass them over hastily.
We have had so many inconvenience to en-
counter that | have found it impossible to
write as often as would like TO have done.
March 10, we left Camp Griffin in rain
storm. but prospects Of an engagement and
the idea Of knowing" kept us in excellent
spirits. We proceeded 10 near Fairfax Court
House and encamped, when intelligence
run through the lines like lightning that
Ccntreviie and Manassas Junction were eyac-
uated. and we would have nothing to do in
that direction. The next day VIC heard the
big stories Of the wooden guns, and saw for
the first time rebel flag taken from Centre
vile by Maj Larabee Of the 5th Wisconsin
regiment.
The 5th Saturday. we were drawn up in
line. Gen. McClellan's address was read and
and we proceeded to near Alexandria in a vio-
lent rain and encampod in a forest, and our
quarters for the night we're as uncomfortable
as may be imagined, as we had nothing but
small linen tents, the Sibley tents being too
heavy for transportation. Waiting here till
Sunday the 23d, we shipped on the CatsLiH,
Ga boat belonging on the North river, n Y,
chartered by government,) and sailed down
the Potomac and Chesapeake to Hampton
Roads and landed at the ruins Of the splendid
village OF Hampton The 18th and Sth we
made a Reconnaissance, driving in tho rebel
pickets near Watts Creek. but no firing took
place. We encampcd for the night, and
marched back near Newport News and re-
NAMED till the 4th inst.
The operations Of the past week will take
from my journal.
FBIDAy, April An line at o'clock this
morning and march off in the direction OF
Warwick. The Vermont Brigade has the
honor of taking the lead We drive in the
rebel pickets and approach a fertilization at
NOung's Mills, and for the first time we see
rebel soldier not a prisoner. The Sd Vermont
regiment capture an Orderly Sergeant from
the I'd Virginia regiment, The fertilization
and barracks are abandoned without resist.
ance, except slight firing on our skirmishers
We occupy their ground tonight. Weather
mild and clear.
SATURDAY, April 5.--lu line at 6 O'Clock
this morning but waited an hour and a hall
for Hancock's Brigade to pass us. We pro-
coed toward Warwick Court House and en-
counter tremendous thunder shower. A.
bout FIVE miles above Warwick Court House
we find the rebels well fortified and they seem
to extend almost the entire distance from the
James to the York rivers, and the approach
is obstructci by dense forests and swampl
and bitches, besides a canal running cross
wise exactly in range of their guns. About
? o'clock p. NJ. they commenced Smelling,
which was replied to by Motifs battery as
soon it could be got in range. The she'll
ing continued slowly till dusk, but as they
could not discover our position, their shots
were almost without effect. After dark we
were busy-roads to be made-artillery to be
placed-trees to be fallen which were in range
Of guns-pickets stationed-a good line-of-
battle to be maintained &c. Our regiment
was marched through the mire to small
clearing which commanded their earth works,
but concealed by narrow strip of woods,
and remained in line-oi- battle all night.
SUNDAY, April Artillery men have been
busy getting their pieces in range, though we
have scarcely replied to all the rebel shell,
and great care has been taken not to expose
all our cannon. Capt. Mott has fred slowly
all day, mostly to keep their attention while
we are getting ready. Their large Fort is
about mile distant, and on our left is a email
er one nearer and still nearer on our left is
a riAe-pt, garrisoned by sharp-shooters, who
are within hearing distance of our ut-posts.
They have paid their compliments with nu-
merous taunts, such as " ID Yankees -
4" You daresn't show your snotty noses out
side the bushes - Have you got any whis-
key We have plenty" etc, all the time
firing at random into the woods. Our regi-
ment maintained its line to-day.
MONDAY, April Some shots were sent
our workmen last night, but were not an
swered, to avoid as much as possible. THEN
discovering our position. Gen Mcclellan
made visit to our lines to-day. and seemed
to make an alteration in the plan of attack
What this change is would not be prudent
for me to guess. Smiths Division was re-
moved two miles or more nearer ! orktown
where we are encamped, and have had three
days of very cold rainy weather, which bring,
me up to last evening. For these three days
very heavy details have been made for build
ing roads through this swampy forest, rem
dered worse by recent falls ofran. Oar pro.
vision is much delayed from bad roads, anC
yesterday sixteen horses had hard work !,
! haul one gun. A most thorough road is be
| ing built, to extend from Warwick Coul
/ House to Yorktown trees are being fele,
from ! 2 to Is inches through, cut in logs
and packed into the road, and covered will
/ poles, brush and earth.
/ CAMP NEAR YoRKrowN, April IS.
/ Mr.. Editor II will write only a few word