Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-08-21
OUR ARMY CORRESP ONDEN CE.
ALGIERs, LA. Aug. 8, 1876

AlGIERs, LA. Aug. 8, 1862.
EDITOR PHOENIX: Inactive but in good
spirits we of the Vt. Sth remain in the opelou-
sas Railroad station-Company D, being per-
manenty detailed in N. o., on police duty, and
two or three companies going alternately up
the road thirty miles, TO hold the outposts at
Des Allsmans.
We are in good health considering the place
and season. There has been but one death in
the hospital in the last ten days, and the sick
and wounded are fast convalescing. Mr.. Clark
B. Akeey of West Brattleboro wounded (as
was supposedly mortally, in the BRAIN is steadily
recovering, and many of them discharged from
service because unable to endure the enfeebling
Innate in their present condition, will no doubt
be restored by breathing their native air again,
and will then return to the army to do good
service for the righteous course.
The Presidents policy as to using the me-
groes affects this division particularly. A very
large number are ready TO be 'used" at word.
Gen. Phelps alone, anticipating the President
gives employment to those who seek it at his
camp, and now his soldiers are relieved of all
severe and unhealthy work by the blacks.
They are very industrious, need no driving
what ever are very orderly, and contribute
vastly to the health and cleanliness of the
Camp. So large a body of troops requires in
this climate great deal of dirty, and fatguing
toll, in removal of refuse, in washing, &c., to
avoid disease, as well as exhaustng labor in
forwarding stores &c. All this the black 5
cheerlully perform and with the spade they
work on the entertainments faithfully in the sun,
in the strength of liberty, as never under the
heaviest lash.
The Gen. has body of negroes, Gt is said
700) regularly drilling soldiers. That they
will be useful troops, especially as scouts, can
ing them here is tried under favorable circum-
stances is equally plain. Gen. Phelps personal
popularity, the thorough confidence of his sol
ders in his integrity and in his military ,oSdona,
are pledges OF fair trial for these recruits
In other camps. repugnance towards the negro
race and the infection Of slavery would cause
trouble perhaps, but at Camp Parapett the
separate body of blacks under their own Off
GERS will have fair chnace to show what they
can do, and become in time as efficient as the
negroes were in the Revolution, at Savannah
and Charleston.
We understand that the 9TH VT, was in the
fight at Baton Rouge GU the 9th, of which you
will hear by mail, and did the best possible
service.
May we sustain the good name of the Green
Mountain State as well, vixen the time comes.
w.
Since writing the above | have learned the
death of Col. Roberts of the It'll VT, in the
battle of Baton Rouge, on Tuesday. He was
shot through the body just as he had dismoun-
ted to direct a particular movement of his men.
He survived for forty hours, and his body is
now in New Orleans. In his death the state
looses good citizen, and the service gallant
soldier. He devoted himself exclusively to the
duties of his official position, he possessed the
entire confidence of his command in his mill
tary capacity, and while preserving strict disc;-
plne among all, maintained the friendly and
harmonious spirit among his officers necessary
to united action in the camp and field. A high
toned gentleman, and a vigorous and efficient
commander. we shall all miss the kindly tones
of his manly voice and the honest grasp of his
friendly hand, while his regiment mourns a
leader it will be hard TO replace. w.