Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-05-30
lOur Army Correspondence
FROM THE CAVALRY REGIMENT.
CAVALRY CANP, 5IH Army CoRrs, }
NEAR SrRAsURG, Va, May Il.

CAVALRY CAMP, 5IH Army CoRrs,
, NEAR SrRAsUEG, Va, May Il.
-desTs. Editors offts Free PIess;
Ere you are doubtless aware that the col
una has fallen back on Strasburg, it is to be pre-
sum for better position. The cause Of this
IN meut was a matter Of great doubt among the
camps, the troops Of this command being Inclined
to the belief that cur column was strong enough
for any force which Jackson could muster in or
about Hsrrisonburg; but we learn that Ewell
and johnson endeavored to flank Us, and if we
had remained there for another day, we would, in
all likelihood have tai to fight hard to get out
Of the clasp Of small anaconda" which the
rebel Generals we're supposed to be tightening
around us On Sunday night, May {, the retreat
commenced and at seven on the following morn
ing the First Vermont Cavalry might have been
seen" slowly vending their way through Harris
cn5urs in the direction Of New Market-eorerng
the retreat, under command Of Gen. Hatch. Col.
Ashby did not see 1T to attack US in the rear
We have been on duty since in tho neighborhood
Of the enemy, part Of the tim1 il the Luray
Valley-between the MassaL4tten and Blue Ridge
mountains; and we're called back from there when
the army was ab,u; moving further North. We
have covered the retreat on the whole route, and
have not been annoyed by the enemy much; oc-
c4sionally, however, squad Of Ashbys cavalry
would make a dash on cur pickets-enough to let
IL. know that they we're hu and to prevent US
from taking Of cur boots nights, or oyer.leeping
ourselves in the morning We have, at last, made
a stand, with every intention Of holding our
| ground, and, from all appearances, I think we
+ shall not be disturbed.
I The Cavalry camp is about three miles south Of
/ strasturgh, in a beautiful field, bounded on the
North and Last By plantation Of ash and young
pine. Company A has al excellent parade ground,
and is only e1ceed dei, in this respect, BY the
airy headquarters. We have three regiments Of
cavalry here. and some independent troops, Of
oRe company e,-b, with a squadron OF the First
Maine. The companies Of our regiment which
have been actively engaged, show the lAakest
horses; but few days rest will set them to rights
asain. The ether companies Of th regiment have |
been called 10, and now, foF the frs, time since
We ained the shenandoah column, our regiment |
is together.
general clier read th.. Saturday. evening |
prohibits the men from leaving camp without |
ras.e'. or unless they are on duty outside the |
cavalry camp There is general clearing up Of /
everything, every man must have the prescribed 4
allowance % clothing and equipments. 4 rowing
band Of reoel cavalry are committin; numerous
depredations on the loyal inhabitants between
here and Hsrrisonburgh and crowds IF these peo-
pie come inside cur lines daily for protection.
We do not have very heavy duty to perform,
lately, owing to the fac, that we have roodly
number cf cavalry in the corps, and there is only
one ,qusdron on daily daty.-scouting AMI doing
ticket duty-and these are are relieved BY infant
~ Pickets at night. Tomorrow comes OUT turn
"A and g.
We have some iliiy times, occasionally, trying
20 entrap squads Of Ashbys cavalry, who are in
the habit OF showing themselves to our pickets on
a bye road, about four miles Northeast Of cur
camp; bu, they always manage to get away. 1t
is very Toer road, s-lnethins similar to the cne
NF. SAKE tells about;
"- built on Adams plan
And not Nae Adams
Only yosteriay they captured two oi cur pick
cts who were bathing in brock; the nude rickets
must have Eel; ebear, when they allowed them
s,l7es 70 he thus rcuncel upon by the redcub,a-
bic suerillas.
We have Rsyciiie al a, i.lU 4. ", and Taps
at $50 ?. VI. In TIC programme nctice too,
that there will be divine service on sunday at .
=. ". To morrow's, then, will be the first since
We left Annapolis, SO, presume, meeting will
be a treat but cur Company eanno; have the
! Ileasure OF being there, to see and hear.
We hear all sorts Of strange rumors here among
other, one that Gen. Hatch with a Cavalry force
is going to New Mexico @, aid our regiment is
to be included; this, rumor hath it is the cluse
'f so many men beirg discharged from the resi-
nent for inability.
Our Regiment is the only one in the Cavalry
department., and in fact in the whole command Of
Banks, which has camp guard. This is treat
ng with distinguished consideration, Gen.
Hatch knows well that we don'i so out CT camp Z
Without leave, and saves Us the trouble OF posting
guard round the camp. Is there another regi-
-1Lt IL tAe Z - \. VIII An peast as l4ucl \
Lieut.. CcI. kclIogs has got back from Stras- !
'urg,-Wnere be has teen sick for some days past 8
)ur new Major seems to pull easily il the harness
nth the old one; and neither, judging from a7- C
earances. will kick in the traces, soon. While 1
IN now writing, can hear the music Of two a
utes, artisticaly sounding tn { notes CT " Buy L
'roon,' one in the hands Of Major wm D. Col n n
ns, and the other held By Major Z. B. Sawyer, Il
9th Of the First Vermont Cavalry. b.
There is rumOr here, and it is generally cred v v
ed, that Lieut.. Erhardt Of this company, has e
ee7 promoted to esptaincy n the Regular ser a
ice; this is much regretted by the company, ..
Ten if it does serve the gallant Lieutenant Of
Lieut. c. Il. Tompkins, who has been assigned m
the command Of this regiment, has net yet made II
appearance. sa
The health and spirits Of the company and reg n u
nsnt are pre- smnsntly good. We do not expect 81
remain thus, long.
Very respectfully, CIV. h
VI. SOLDIERS At TIE y. Y. lIosrirAL.- m