The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-04
. From the Vermont Brigade.
CAMP IN FRONT OF RICHMOND. }
Friday, June Doth, 1862.

Friday, June goth, 1862.
To the Editor of the Gledonian:
The Sd has finished the road through the
Chickahominy Swamp and are now encamred
in their old place in the brigade. We finish
ed our job last Monday, and Tuesday morn
ing moved up to the front. Wednesday
morning went on picket. Of late, so nigh
have oar pickets been to the rebel pickets
that quite trade in exchanging papers, can
teens, buttons, &C., has been going on, be-
sides quite a number of social interviews.
The best of feeling exists between the pick
cts and both have agreed not to fire on one
another although in plain sight. Rarely, if
ever, is a gun heard from the Vermont
brigade or the enemy in front. Most of
these interviews commence by some one rails
ing a paper on his gun; the rebel answers
by similar signal" both lay down their
arms and meet in the middle of the field );
occasionally quite number get together and
have a social chat for few minutes and then
retire. There seems to be different feeling
in different regiments. Soldiers from Louis
lana and Mississippi seem to have terrible
grudge against the yankees" while men
from other states seem to deplore the war
and wish it may soon be over, for they have
no interest in shooting the Union soldier.
The last time the 9th was on picket, just be-
fore the rebel pickets were relieved, one of
them-a member of Georgia regiment
called to our pickets and said that they were
going to be relieved in half an hour by a
Mississippi regiment and we had better look
out, for they might fire at US. The advice
was timely, for by using more caution in ex-
posing ourselves, no firing occurred. From
these interviews we learn that the rebel army
is short of provisions, and poor at that
Coffee and sugar they do not have at all.
They think We shall have hard fight before
Richmond is taken in fact they feel conf
dent We can never take it. Although these
friendly chats have occasioned the best of
feeling between the pickets, and no doubt
saved much firing on both sides, an order
from the General has put stop to it. In
fact it is very imprudent to allow of these
interviews on either side. Unthinking per-
sons might unintentionally give valuable in
formation to the enemy.
The firing Of cannon is still kept up OIL
both sides more or less. Wednesday the
rebels attacked our picket lines in force and
drove them in, probably for the purpose of
getting near view of our earthworks. The
attack was on our left. The enemy were
driven back with heavy loss. 1t was quite
an alarm to US, for it was not known but a
general engagement was at hand TIE whole
army was Immediately under arms ready to
receive them.
The weather has been very warm for the
last week. and to keep the hot rays of the
sun from our tents We have set out trees and
bushes about them so thick that at a distance
scarcely tent can be seen, but looks more
like small forest. Every variety of taste is
displayed in setting out the trees and bushes
The beautiful! groves and shady walks would
almost tempt any one to enjoy them by being
soldier. There is one serious drawback
however,-the trees are minus roots, and
with scorching sun the leaves will soon
wither and drop off, and We shall have to re-
place them by fresh ones or 50 without.
The health of our brigade continues good
Merrill J. Eastman of Co. G has been dis.
charged on account of disability. Charles
Butterfeld of Lyndon, one of the new re-
cruits, died in the hospital the other side Of
the Chickahominy. He belonged to Co. X
Perry c. Dean and Abial Jones of Co.
have been sent to the hospital. G.