Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-12-11
CAMP VERMONT, VIRGINIA, }
Dec, 9th, 1862. {


Dec. 9th, 1862.
Dear Herald Thinking that the friends
OF the l4th would be very glad to hear of our
movements and we'll being, hasten to address
you a short letter. We are back on our old
camp ground again, and we hope to stay
through the winter. 1t really seems like
home here. Our movements to the front did
not amount to a great deal as far as | can
see, but do not profess to know the object of
it, While encamped near the Occoquan, we
performed picket duty; our pickets extending
up Bull Run creek, meeting the piokets of the
18th and 18th Regiments, which were en-
oamped at Union Mills, six miles from U.S.
False alarms are very frequent to soldiers sta
toned near the enemy. Our regiment was
formed in line of battle twice while there, the
boys falling in very promptly both times, and
showing themselves ready to meet the enemy,
Our regiment captured a number Of prisoners
whom we judged to be spie,, Thew were sent
on to headquarters.
'' Nf' W. ERE remembered by friends at
n0"'' III Thanksgiving day. Our "hard
tack'' was greatly in contrast with the tables
usually set in Vermont at that time Rail
fences were very handy there, and if the or
ders had not been strict on ''hftingn things,
-
Rebel chickens would have, come handy also
Car company had just come in from picket
duty on Thursday, the 9TH inst, when an Or
der came for the regiment to get ready to
march IN ten minutes, each man to be supplied
with three days rations. And when it WAS
made known that we were geing back to
Camp Vermont, shouts of joy were heard all
through the camp. 1t was finally decided not
to start until the next day, and at o'clock q.
M, our reg ment being relieved by the l25th
New York, we moved off. Before we had
marched a great way, it began to snow quite
hard, The distance to Fairfax station was 7
miles. COL Nichols ordered the battalion to
march In two ranks, and giving the companies
the privilege of falling out and resting, COM
mencing at the head of the column and then
falling IN the rear of the battalion on its NOV
ing past them. By this means the regiment
was to be kept on the move, and still give us
chance to rest. But the companies on the
right not falling out as often as they should,
companies and G did not have a chance to
rest until we got to the next station, which
made it it rather hard for us, inasmuch as we
had to carry our knapsacks and other equip
ments. .a
On arriving at the station, we found the 18th
aboard of the cars, bound for Camp Vermont
also Cars were procured for the l4th; some
OF the boys, however, got on the baggage
train with the 18th. 1t was about dark when
the remainder of the 18th reached Alexandria,
having to wait until after the 18th went
through. By this time tho ground had become
covered with snow. Our tents had all been
oroereu 70 falrfax station, so that we were left
without shelter in case we should go up to our
camp, the distance being two miles Some Of
the boys sought shelter in the city, and others,
through the kindness of the boys in the 18th
and 10th, were kept over night. By noon the
next day the boys had all got into camp, and
the tents coming, they were all pitched be-
fore night. do not think we shall move
again this winter.
The field officers of our regiment are all very
much beloved, There is not one of the BOYS
but what speaks well of them all. They are
doubtless the right mon in the right place.
The weather is quite cold at present.
Yours, ETC., .as. =.
81. j. c. w