The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-11
From the Potomac.
CAMP griffin. Jar

CAMP GRIFFIN, Jan. 6, 1862
Here am among portion of our Grand
Army of the Potomac, and we who live 90 far
from the seat of war know hut little of it's in
hlctlons upon country. went from Wash
ington with Mr.. Brock who kindly rendered me
every assistance. Arrived here last night and
am stopping with Capt. Randall, who gives me
bed and board. will give you a sketch of my
days work.
After breakfast, with Major Joyce, wife and
daughter, and cur Captain Randall, visited
the Hospital of the "a Vermont The Hospital
Is OF cloth, and Is wide enough for two rows Of
cots, leaving space Of some two or three feet
IN the centre to pass up and down between the
SICK. There We're about twenty sick, mostly
from levers. but Was pleased to fnd so many
out OF danger. There were only two but will
! get well, and those, think. will soon be
through with their suhernss and fighting on
| earth. Poor fellows it is 20 hard to be here
sick and friends SO far away. While looking over
the SICK came across Sergeant Br;dgman
whom knew. shook nds with him, and
when asked him how he did, he said, " | will
soon be ready to fight again lie said he
wished he had some OF that good currant wine,
and fortunately the good womln had put bot
tie IN my trunk. Ii was untouched, and car
l
that had not more to distribute among the
poor fellows. After leaving the no: pital | went
over to the 9th Regiment Saw Can't. Mead and
Stratton with clerks, all busy dealing out the
luxuries to the men. | then visited Quarter
master CLARK and assistant Hatch. and af.or-
wards Cross and Bradish, with whom dned
Then visited the grounds and soldiers of tho
regiment, and many hearty shake got from
the brave fellows. Leaving the 9th / took
stroll by myself out on the hills, or svells. as
we should call them, for the country about here
Is III gentle and beautiful unduIations and where
not cleared up, which is being done very fas, by
our army, is covered with beautiful groves of
chestnut, rel and white oak, white wood and
,iard pine, and here and there on the outskirts
iuxuriant grape vine. The fields indicate that
inc farmers raised principally corn and English
gram hundreds of acres OF fine looking land
nave Oeon destroyed by the culture of tobacco.
bot II Northern farmers were here il would
soon so DC restored by their Industry, and hope
Tue government Will give them chance to blv
THESE iands, that this beautiful country NAV be
settled by those more worthy of it. Having re-
turned IRON my visit Of forest and field TO thu
great parade ground, saw a fine DISPLAY of
portion OF this division-which is about fifteen
thousand men-ten thousand of whom were ont !
ihey nave made great proficiency in their drill. |
theiri maneuvers were tine, the practice of the
oatteries IN hiring was excellent, and the boom
Of the heavy guns was terrific. After feastup
my eyes on this splendid spectacle, | returned
10 camp ana found our friend, Captain Randall.
looking tor me he said Major Joyce had been
ordered out on the rebel lines for picket dutv.
ana that he wished me with the Captain to come
down and help catch II rebel. So off we started
over heids and through peach orchards through
l.ewinsville. About two miles out we came 70
the reserved picket. Major Joyce beng out on
tho line about one mile further, we awaited hIs
return. AT this point our soldiers have Gu,
down hundreds OF acr Of forest This wa,
done that tho rebels should not secrete them
selves behind it, and it opens the country. 90
mat the batteries at the camp can sweep the
country for some two or three miles. Near th;.
point could see Miners Hill and Observatory.
iong distance to the right and left, saw tho
village Of canvass, where the great army of this
fotomsc live, and the Stars and Stripes nm.
harmed hoat in the breeze. Major joyce re-.
turned, and we started again over the f.ld.
ABOUT one mile farther to the line of pickets o.
dng overs portion Of the Major line. bv the VA
Inns line OF Picke'sruns about fifty miles. and
inc Plckets are placed fifty PAGES apart. The
MAJOR, with his usual kind attention. no;n,oJ
OUT 10 mo many objects of interest, of which !
snail write hereafter. Here looked over il.
10 10 reo;loom' was assured by the pickets TINT
on FEC oi ground in the distance several reh'
Is had appeared to-day, but out of ranse Of