Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-21
[Correspondenee of the Free Pressl
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON
4 GaHqp along n, P'esd', On flsl Ere Of re
Grand Adu1Hcs.

Grand Adu1Hcs.
wAsHIsGroS. March 10.
M,ssrs. Editors Of The Free Pros;
The sun rose yesterday morning
over the metropolis Of the nation, in serene and
cloudless sky, like that Of fine May morning in
Vermont II had been Tumored in military cir
cIes that the mud across the Potomac was rapidly
drying, and that collision would not be long de-
Iayed. Availing myself Of the kind invitation Of
a friend, took seat in his buggy. and We set
out at 10 o'clock, to visit the camps over the
river, where the great serpent lay sleeping which
was now about to cast of his winter torpor, and
with the FIRST sun of Spring to pursue with fang
and rattle, the hosts Of treason.
The ride Of 8 miles up tho Potomac 10 the
Chain Bridge is not ordinarily very interesting.
Leaving the high. rocky bluffs Of Georgetown, the
road follows the base Of the steep red hills, the
canal (now partly ruined and unused) only inter
vening between the bishway and the bed Of the
river. The read. like most roads in this uuthrif-
ty country. is filed with boulders ranging in
diameter from 4 to Is inches. These, with the
deep mud and the literally endless procession Of
army wagons, drawn generally BY mules, made
the drive to " Chain Bridge any thing but pleas
ant in itself But the steep cliffs Of the Virginin
shore, clothed with pine and red cedar seen across
the broad and rocky bel Of the river. here about
half mile wide, bad picturesque appearance.
These cliffs rise, perhaps 200 feet above the river,
and from their SUBMITS the land rises to the west
ward. in gentle undula,ions, much cut up by
ravines, to the centre line Of eneampments, or
d miles distant, which We were to visit.
The "Chsin Bridge" reached, it is found to be,
instead Of chain bridge fine open bridge Of
timber, resting on or 10 fine stone piers. elevated
10 or SO feet above the water. The outside walks
Of the bridge have been rendered impsssAble by
taking up the flooring in order to consolidate any
body of troops forcing the passage Of the bridge,
into the best subjects for grape and canister and
near the Virginia end of the bridge are very heavy
iron plated doors, pierced for rifles. Commanding
the bridge on the Maryland shore. are heavy
earth.works, the fruit, believe, Of the labor Of
the stout hands of the Vermont boys.
From the west end Of the bridge the road rises
for nearly a mile in a northwesterly direction to
the summit of the plateau. From this point the
view was extremely fine; far TO the north the
wooded valley of the Potomac slept in the mellow
sunlight, while north, and west. and south, anc
southeast, stretched away the encampments oi
the Union; countless tents dotted with white
every hillside; batteries and redOubts occupied
every commanding position; while from the sum
mits Of the principal hills the grand old banner
of our fathers, unfolding to the answering skies
the day-stars Of freedom-the symbol Of the
order and unity and liberty of the vast body
of armed men gathered there to defend and
svenge it.
From the hill top have mentioned the road
to "Lsngley's "a place somewhat famous in the
early advance is quite good. This road connects
Chain Bridge with the turnpike from Alexan-
dris to Leesburgh, uniting with it some miles
further west. At Langley's we left the main
roed and took to a cross road over, rather thro
the red clay, in direction nearly due south
west, towards Camp Griffin. For miles in every
direction hence, the farm and road fences have
been entirely destroyed, and scarcely vestige Of
any land mark remains, and the ground has been
literally trodden into miIe. On the right Of our
course lay the Pennsylvania troops Of Mccall and
on the left were cavalry; sheds built Of rails and
logs, thatched with pine and cedar boughs, shell
tered the animals, which seemed to have stood the
winter pretty we'll. At last after couple Of mlei
of terrible road and field, we reached the canton
ments of the Vermont Brigade. situated on tn,
tops aud slopes Of some smooth bills, with her'
and there groves Of pitchpine and cedar.
The Vermont troops, though they have beer
all winter in the outer line, and so subjected tC
much dangerous and labOrious picket duty, wal
pleased to find in first rate condition and spirits
The tents are very ingenioudy contrived for win
ter habitations; stockades Of split chestnut are
planted in the ground, over which the canvass Of
the tent is drawn, making very warm and com
Portable room. Every thing about the camps wa
clean and tasteful, and judging from the gOOd
things served up in the quarters Of Coils. Whiting
and Lord, with whom dined and supped, the
wants Of the inner man are well cared for. In the
tent Of Col. Whiting saw beautiful and costly
sword, pistols, &c, just presented to him by tbs
privstes Of his regiment. saw, too, one Of the
black-horse cavalry, who had reeently been con
vinced Of the error Of his ways BY bullet from
the carbine of Union Dragon, and who was now
taLing his word for it, quite Union man.
After dinner, Col. Lord and his staff. with two
friends. civilians like myself rode over to colOne
Writings quarters, and kindly invited me TO jOir