Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-11-28
Our armp Correspondence.
FROM THE TENTH REGIMENT.
Camp in the Ho,oling Wilderness, !
Nr.rn. VI ~. Y IuGO

Mn. EDITOR My silence an army
correspondent has been long, ! acknow-
ledge; but have no apologies to offer, for
venture to say that il 1t had been twice as
long it would not have been noticed by the
readers Of the journal, especially since they
are favored 10y the truthful and interesting
communications of III. NJ. b.
About 8 O'Clock yesterday morning, the
advance guard Of Jack Frosts snowy column
for the reduction of Maryland, appeared 10
The camp Of the 10th Vermont, in small, dry
flakes. At first they came slowly and con-
tinuously, as II they were afraid of the pick
cts. and there were but few Of them; but
soon, as if gaining courage from the cheers
OF welcome with which they were greeted,
they increased in numbers, changed their
pace to double-quck and came dashiug
down in real old New England style, until,
at dark, a remarkable change for the better
seemed to have taken place in this secession
neighborhood, aud the outward aspect Of af
fairs, at least, wore decidedly Northern
look. The 10th boys, however, declare that
this apparently friendly Investment is only a
ruse--not a real bona fde adoption OF Union
colors-and that day or two's exposure 20
the fiery heat OF a secession sun, will remove
the mask and restore Montgomery Go. TO its
natural, dirty, traitorous appearance.
10 rs poor(;) soldiers on the Potomac, the
FIRST fall Of snow brings no promise, as in for
mer years, OF snug cutters, warm robes, fast
horses, musical BELLS bright-eyed, merry
girls, and other attendant blessings Of winter
IN old Vermont For one winter, at any
rate, we must be content to live on the mem
DRY "of the joys that once have been, fer
yently hoping aud praying tina, Christmas,
1868, will see this unhappy, unrghteous,
aud most emphatoally uncomfortable war at
an end and the boys of the 10Th Vermont
home again, celebrating their safe return by
extra indulgence in the fsvorite pastime Of
sleighng. In the meantime we trust that
those with whom we have had the pleasure
Of gliding over the snowy ice-paths in days
gone by, will not wholly forget us as they
renew their voyages of pleasure, during the
coming season.
After various "huctuations' in the camp
"stock market --occasioned by successive
rumors that the brigade was to ''join Banks
expedition to Texas" that we were "immedi-
ately TO move into Virginia" and that we
were "sure to spend the winter here. each Of
which in turn being fully believed by the
boys, commanded premium on "change"
-"conddence' has at length settled on the
latter "scheme' consequently, axes are in
demand the sound Of heavy blows and fall
ing timber makes music in all directions, and
the "a tents are losing caste by becoming
mere roofs to substantial log cabins, where
as, week since, one constituted the whole
holse. Boards shingles, ioists, old stoves,
&c, &c.,-the existence OF which would new
er have been discovered by the thick headed,
ssnativps' hut flr the aid nf Naukpa iratinrt
impelled by necessity - have mysterously
come TO light in out-oi-the-way places, and
may be seen marveling into camp upon the
shoulders Of sturdy Nermontors, at all times
of day and night, thereby awakening excess
i've wrath IN the bosom Of Mr.. Secesh, who,
though previously ignorant that Doe possessed
any such property, and being sure in his own
mind that he can never use lt himself, h. snll
Indignant hey oud measure that any Yankee
mudsil' should dare 90 appropriate for his
comfort Blu, Mr. S. can't "-care' this reg
iment out Of providing themselves with Iim-
Der for floors, doors 81.
Perhaps brief description Of the way in
which some OF these shanties for winter oc-
cupation are built would interest the readers
OF the Journal; so hoping that may make
IL clear as mad, / will attempt the Job
OF their respective proprietors, there being
no general uniformity except ia ono re-pccL
their size on the ground. which cannot exceed
ei5ht Feet square, Tor the tents cannot be used
a. roofs upon cabins OF larger dimcnsions.-
Many are ouut alter ine manner of the log
houses Of the early settlers of Neimont-oue
OF winch remember having once seen-by
laying The rough logs one above smother.
n'tcams them together at the corners OF ihc
building, and clustering the cracks with cuY,
upon the outside. The bottoms of the TENT
poles are then set in notches cut in the top
uer of logs, the tent is pitched over the
walls the canvass is drawn over the outside
and nailed down so that no very formidable
guests Of wind can obtain admitiance and
You have winter residence which Is
warm, dry, and quite roomy in comparison
TO the tents Others are made By selecting
tralsht-grained trees of uniform size,
from SIX TO ten inches th'cH, cutting them into
proper lengths splitting them IN halves and
driving them into the ground in line, split
SIDE inwards. These are smoother upon the
inside than those built in the manner first de-
scuoed' and have rather neater appearance
upon the outside. In one corner Of most Of