Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-10-24
CIR armn Gurrfsponofnrr.
FROM THE NINTH VT. REGIMENT.
CAMP TYLEp, CHIoAeo, ILL.,,
w, a 1900

Oct. y. lobAs
bLAR 5ouRSAL 1t has been long long
time since have had an opportunity Of wri-
ting to your coldthhs a history Of the various
gabderinss Of the Vermont ath--of, as the
boys call it, Uncle Sans travelling MENACE
rie. Our WAYS have indeed been devious,
and our paths intricate--but we are all in
good cheer yet, and shall hail the day gladly
when we can again return to duty, il per-
chance our leaders at that time, should be
men who would see at TO lead US against the
enemy, rather than surrender us en- masse.
Our brigade left Winchester at 10 O'Clock
Sept. I'd. after having blown up the fortifca-
tons, destroyed the commissary stores, dis
mounting the sege guns. &c. About 100
who we're unable TO march, including four
officers, we're left to be captured by the enc
my, which seemed to be useless, as train OF
cars passed along with us, and | have heard
those who saw say that they we're well load
ed with Nggers. We arrived at Harper's
Ferry at 4, p. m. the next day, having made
the fatiguing march OF SO miles in 8 hours
1t was right smart tramp, | reckon, and
your obedent would no, have gone much
further without little rest and hard crack
er or two.
Once anchored, we commenced to review
the tactics with shovel and pick,) trying our
hand also little at guarding secesh fruit or
chards and corn-ields. You see Col. Miles
wanted to keep these things, when the
rebels came he would have good lot to set
before them. He was taking thought what
they should eat and what they should drink
Friday, the 10Th of September, the ball
opened on Maryland Heights with heavy
cannonading aud musketry but we at that
time entertained no fears, for we knew we
occupied the Gibraltar Of America, and ex-
pected every moment to be ordered up to the
defence but it was not so ordered. Soon
the musketry sounded nearer, and we knew
that the small force occupying the Heights
we're being driven back Again the batteries
half way up the mountain aide opened with
tremendous voice. pointing upward, and the
ridge was filled with bursting shells, but it
was evident to all lockers on that tho infant
~ was fanked and the guns must be spiked.
and in few moments the sounds of battle
died away, and long lines of glttering bayo-
nets were seen hurrying from the mountain,
the men uttering curses and imprecatons on
him who left them without any support to
contend with an army of twenty times their
number.
During Saturday and Sunday we had most
beautiful artillery practice and some picket
diminishing, and Sunday evening charge
but two volleys sent them back, supposing
We had big force at that point. On Mon
day morning at day-break the grand cotlion
came off. 1t was led by 24-pounder from
Riby's Indiana battery, and in a moment it
seemed as though every hillock concealed
rebel battery. We received cross fire from
six, on our position--but our gallant Colonel
advanced us so far under their guns that the
playthings passed over us to the great dam
age of the regiment in our rear. At half past
g. a. m, five brigades Of rebels we're formed
to charge on our only effective battery
Ribys-with only our regiment to support it
when we heard cry of rage III our rear,
and looking about us, we beheld to our
shame the white flag borne by traitor
Cries of sold, sold passed through our
line, mingled with every variety Of impreca-
ton and abuse upon one who had surrender
ed every available position until at last he
was forced to surrender. Friday we were put
in the bottom OF the box and the key given
to our enemies.
After the surrender were treated with
the utmost Difference, and could and did re-
commend to our soldiers to copy their good
behaviour. Tuesday morning, with feelings
Of cbagrin and disgrace, the psroled troops
took up their line OF march TO Annapolis, &C
miles distant, where we arrived Sabbath eve.
ming. Once there, Uncle Samuel thought biz
boys had had hard time, so he treated VI
to long. rather too long ride He wa
very kind-we only wish he had carried vi
in another direction, and not quite so far
Tie showed us, too, all his western daugh
tiers. They are good institution, aud the,
prepared some nice tables at every place vi
stopped. This too was fine change from
raw pork and hard tack We arrived her
Sunday, the 2Sth ultimo, at 10 o'clock, =
m, having been l6 days without shelter, an
some Of the time without food. Our regi
ment is now quartered in the horse sheds o
the Fair ground weak and weary, sick an
sore, while the prevailing question is-'Wh
would not be a soldier o. l..
FROM THE EIGHTH VT REGIMENT
The following letter from an officer i
the sth Vermont regiment, to his relatives i
this place. has been kindly furnished for pub
LEGATION.
DEPARrMENr OF THE GULF,
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 5, 1862.
DEAR USoLR-Having nothing to do t
pass away the tedious monotony of cam
lite, thought might spend an hour yer
pleasantly in writing to you. We are so ia
away from home, and the communication 81
uncertain, that it frequently happens tha
weeks elapse before we receive any news fror
the North, and what little news we have re
oeived has been so discouraging, that we hav
but little ambition to write to any one. Tn
9Th VI is stationed in Algiers, place direct
ly opposite New Orleans on the right bank {
the river. We have bad more hard work t
do than any other regiment in the Depar
ment and have held the outposts Texa,
wards, in the face of no contemplate fo