Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-10-03
From the Eleventh Regiment.

Mr.. EDITOR Our regiment is no
yet encamped upon the sacred soil 0
Virginia." but is beautifully situated
within the limits of Fort Lincoln" il
the frst brigade OF defenses north sidt
of our capitol, and in full view Of tht
Baltimore and Ohio railroad. We have
been engaged, since our arrival here, in
digging rife pits from this fort to Fort
Totten-about five miles distant-and in
making government road from here to
Fort Bunker-Hill.
We have had very good drill with
the spade and pick, and some with our
Austrian rifles
This brigade is commanded by Col
Gibson, our position in which is about
three miles from Washington. We &C.
'caslonaliy see some Of our Vermont
brothers and friends from the cavalry.
and some from the old brigade. In re.
Iation to our qualities as a regiment do
not wish to brag; but do not think we
shall prove an exception to all the other
regiments from the Green Mountain
State. Our regiment is SO far, very
healthy, as there are only about twenty
in the hospital.
Thus far the weather has been very
for camp life. 1t has rained |
but twice since our arrival, and then only .
short time. l dislike veryJmuch to de-
ctiye your readers, in regard to our liv-
ing, as some have done. Our food is
better than expected when | enlisted, |
yet | assure you that it is far from being
what we would have at home. We have
rice and beans occasionally, fresh and
salt beef and pork cur bread is about
half soft and half hard, and on the whole
t is very good. Last Sabbath we had
;ome doughnuts, which were great rar-
ty.
Capt. Rice is very popular in the
company, and well he may be, for the
nan that would find fault with him is not
it for a soldier. think that the com
'any, or the greater part of it, if placed
n the same circumstances they were be-
ore enlisting, would be as anxious TO en-
oil their names in Uncle Sans service
low as they were at the time they en-
isted.
The railroad here is in almost con-
tant use, bringing in soldiers and sup
lies to our great army. Last night an
ccident occurred here, which is very I
anful to think Of A man from the ,
Jew Hampshire Tenth regiment fell
'om the cars, as they were passing by,
nd his body was mangled and torn all
pieces-the head and left leg being all y
rat was left uncrushed. Two accidents I
ave happened from careless usage Of f
in Co. &, iniuring the fingers
his left hand very badly, and nearly
estroying two of them the other, in II
o. A, happened last night, the whole v
barge passing through his right wrist, b
robably rendering the hand forever use /
,ss.
We have daily mail, and are very
lad when the hour arrives for it to come f
}, and each heart is glad to receive a s.
w lines from Green Mountain friend. ~
md it each friend in Vermont knew
ow anxious their relatives in the army p
ere to hear from them, they would not L
eGlect TO answer, at least, the letters a
icy receive, as soon as they have been +
.ad. -
1t is in vain for me to attempt 10 write .
u anything concerning the progress of OIL
e war, for you have better chance to m
arm that than we have. II,
We have organized debating club. 9.
ID hold our meetings twice a week. "
. find it very good and pleasant way
spend leisure evening hour. We
We also purchased some Union singing u
oks, which are pleasant friends in our .,
sure times. Such times, however, do "
come very often; but we are glad to
nix that we shall get our fatigue duty
ne some time, and then we shall find IT
poriunity to read and write once in a "
lille. "
All that the men complain of is that u
y are not nearer the place of action mi
the battle field. S.H.H. no