The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-06-13
From the Vermont Brigade.
CAMP NEAR New BRIDGE, Va,
Tuesday, June ., 1862.

TUESDAY, June :, 100.
To the Editor of the GaIedonian
Two weeks ago we left the White House
for Richmond. 1t was cloudy, wet day. -
We followed the railroad as far as Tunstal's
Station, where We turned off to our right.
and after travelling about mile camped in
the rain near wealthy doctors residence
He says he never has taken part with the
rebels g and it was only his gray hairs that
protected him. He is confident, however,
that the rebels will defeat us at Richmond.--
Towards night the clouds began to break a.
way, and next morL ing We started with a
pleasant day before u.s. We bivouacked af.
ter short march of five or six miles. Next
day we arrived at Gaines Mills, where we
remained until Saturday, May 24th. We
were now up with Gen Stonemans advance.
Saturday, Gen Smiths division was again on
the move. We passed through Coal Harbor,
the presen; headquarters of Gen Mcclellan,
and soon reached our present camping
ground. We are in beautiful wood. and
near the Chickahominy river. New Bridge
is mile from land below US. Any one
with a map can easily find our location and
relative position to Richmond. The distance
by the road is seven miles.
The country here is much different from
the peninsula. The tall, straight pines have
given place to beautiful oaks, walnut, etc. 1t
is becoming as We approach Richmond more
hi!ly, or. rather, uneven, and the valley of the
Chickahominy approaches the nearest to that
name of anything l have seen since we left
Camp Griffin. Instead of our line of vision
being so circumscribed as formerly, we now
can see at a greater distance, and it affords
US the opportunity of seeing the rebels on
the opposite side of the river,to VIII ON Major
Mott is at this moment sending an OCCASION
al messenger in the shape of twelve-pourd
shell.
The people, what have not gone to Rich
mond, are of The same stamp as usual-good
Union men, or else had taken no part in the
rebellion until compelled to. OF the latter
class is noted and very wealthy planter, DIR
Gaines, and yet this would-not-te secession
Isl would have been in Richmond with his
family if our advance had arrived fifteen min
utes later. He had his goods all packed and
had started when our skirmishers came in
sight and told him he had better postpone
his journey. He is now protected, and eve
ny consideration shown him as to a Union
man. There the poor soldier stands in the
cold and wet through the long night, per-
forming his thankless task, that traitor may
sleep in safety.
Gen Smiths division has been transferred
from Reyes corps to Franklin's. presume
many when they hear of the terrible fgh,
that Gen Reyes had on Saturday and Sunday
will feel very anxious to know whether
the Vermont boys were there or not. Gen
Reyes is on our left. and occupies the ground
on the other side of the river and next to the
James. The battle of Saturday and Sunday
an account of which has reached YOU ere
this, was fought within our sight, or rather
the flash and smoke of the guns could be
seen. Most of the fighting was in the
woods.
The health of our brigade remains remark
ably good. Only few at a time are sent to
the hospital. Yesterday the I'd, Sd and 4th
VT, in connection with three batteries, went
down to protect the workmen in rebuilding
the New Bridge. AS the fight on our left
was renewed while we were there, it was con-
fdently expected we should take a part in
! it; but We returned safely and without an
accident. We now have good bridge a.
cross the river, protected by not only guard
but three batteries.
The same routine of duties as usual occu-
pies our time. The New York Herald an
nouncing the evacuation of Corinth has ar
rived in camp. Wouldn't it be strange if