Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-10-21
From the 9th Vermont Regiment.
CAMP DOUGLAS, CHICAGO, M, Or. 10 'G2

CAMP DOUGLAS, CHICAGO, ILL.,, Oct. 10 G2
MIR EDlTOR:-l do not propose to write YOU
OF the Oh regiment because anything very won
deriu has fallen to It's lot, bu, as il has passed
through some scenes unlike what has been expe-
rienced By others that have gone from The Green
Mountain State, will give YOU a brief account Of
It's military career up to the present time.
We left Brauleboro on the 10Th of july for
Washington, by way Of New Haven, New York,
Phade pha and Baltimore, making pea.an,
say Of few hours at all these cities. Such was
the confused state OF military affairs when We ar
rived at Washington, that the War Department
was at great loss to decide what to do with us.
Finally after remaining four days We were or
dered to Clouds Mills, By way OF Alexandra. a
distance OF twelve miles from the Capitol. After
stay Of three days at this camp, We Were ordered
to return to Washington; then to proceed TO
J Winchester, by way Of the Relay House and
liarpers Ferry where we arrived BY rail on the
10Th Of July. After five weeks fatigue duty on
tortl.catlons at this place, our regimen. with four
Others, owing TO the misfortune Of our army in
Eastern Virginia, was obliged to iaii hack to
llarpers Ferry In connection with our STAY at.
and removal rom Manchester, it is unpleasant TO
record, that W. buried nine Of our men here.
aud left nearly one hundred sick, and nurses who
became at once prisoners Of the rebels. We ar
rived at lIArper's Ferry the third day Of Sep.
At Harper'o Ferry, We began to reajze some Of
The stern realities OF war, The rebel army, en-.
outraged by their success at Bull Run and else.
where 10 Virginia, crossed the Potomac into MARY.
And, on the second or third day after our arrival.
they proceeded at once 10 Gu, 1T our communi.
cation with Washington and Baltimore thi, was
done at Point OF Rock, eight miles below Ilarpers
Ferry Oh the Baltimore and Ono railroad. ina
few days Gen, Jackson past around north OF us.
and driving Gen. White with about four thousand
men from Marlnsburg to lhrpers Ferry, took
po session OF the railroa at Marliushury, when
all mail communication with the world was cut off.
On tie 10Th OF Sept. Just two months from the
time Bc llt Braueuofo, We were surrendered 10
the enemy by Col. Miles acting us commanding
General OF the Post at the tme This was the
same COL Miles who made himself famous or
rather infamous al lhe battle OF Bull Ruu last
year,
! The prisoners were paroltd the same day and
I LETT The next morning Tor Annapolis, Maryland.
f ia being reported at the camp OF parole, our
regiment Win several others was ordered to camp
Douglas, Cniclgo, where we arrived The 2Slh ut..
coming 10y way OF Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Fort
/ N,yne. Here We are with itlleto do, but TO keen
out OF tae mud aud dram shops, both of which
are very abundant, as zee think, VINO have been
/ brought up in Vermont
We are endeayorlng to possess our minds in
! patience, not knowing what may beall US next,
thinking that ote OF tour things may be our lot,
va, be exchanged, discharged, cent to fight the
Indians IN Minnesota, or to De guards 10 the build.
1 ing OF the Pacific Railroad. We cordially invite
our Vermont friends who are visiting the west
this Tall to give uS a Call. Should nothing occur
OF any especial interest with Us before | write a.
gam, may perhaps give YOU some account of
the siege and surrender Of larpers Ferry and
my acquaintance with the rebels at that place.
1t muy be gratifying to the friends Of the regi.
ment to know that The number oil deaths in all,
VII! not exceed twenty.
L. c. DICKINSON, Chaplain.