Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-02-13
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP GRIFFIN, VA, !
February 1st., 1862. !

February ISL, Iowa
Mr.. EDITOR We are still at Camp
Griffin, and probably shall be until the roads
are in better condition than they are now
The mud is very deep, and the constant rains
have made the ground everywhere so soft
that loaded WAGON or piece of artillery
siAks nearly to the hubs, even in the mead
ows, which appears at first sight to be dry
and hard. The soil of Virginia is unlike
any have ever seen before. The rain pen
etrates to great depth, making mush of
plowed fields and grass lands alike. There
is no such thing as turf here. q thin ooat of
grass roots is all that is found on the mead
ows at this season OF the year, and single
company passing over them leave behind
only bed OF mud.
We are much more comfortably situated
than one would suppose we could be, consid-
ering the weather We have received part
of our new tents, about halt enough for the
regiment; these were used to replace those
most dilapidated, and the others were made
warmer by doubling putting one of the old
ones over another. The tents have nearly
all been enlarged by raising them from the
ground two or three feet and driving in large
flat stakes around the outside, forming
wooden wall, upon the top of which rests the
tent. This is we'll banked with earth as high
as the top of the wall, making the inside
warm and cosy, and rendering available the
space which before was under the caves.
For the past week there has been a rumor
in camp that an advance is to be made as
soon as the roads will allow, probably guessed
at from the fact that orders have been issued
from headquarters to have everything in
readiness for march, to keep ammunition
constantly on hand, pioneers to have their
tools ready for instant service, and comman-
ders of regiments to send in their acquisitions
for such supplies as they will need for a
march. A supply of small tents for use on
long marches has been furnished us, probably
with an intention of giving US chance tc
use them before long. These tents are in.
tended to accommodate two men each, and
are made in two parts, each man carrying
one part, which weighs about four pounds
There are no poles, the canvass being sup
ported by the guns of the inmates.
Another report is in circulation, to the eff
feet that the Vermont Brigade is to 60 t.
Annapolis to embark on some Southern ex
petition, and is only hindered by the condi
ton OF the roads from starting for that plac
: Immediately. This has been the camp yar1
for the last three days, but like most othe
: yarns, does not seem to have any rehabl
author, consequently not much dependence
. is to be placed upon it, still it may prove I
be trae.
The theme of officers is occupying consid
o cradle attention in the I'd just now; the va
= cancies caused by the numerous resignation
4 must soon be filed, and rumors of promotio
are rife in camp. There has been no ofici'
announcement of any promotion as yet, b.
= it is whispered about the camp that the fir
II Ieutenants of companies A and B are to b
l. commissioned as captains, and several oths
g advancements are shrewdly guessed IT.
1t prominent officer Of this regiment said . fe
days snce that month hence the ID won