The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-11-07
From the 18th Regiment.
CAMP CASEY. Washington, }


Mr. EDITOR: While regiments from diff
ierent states are coming and going, many
being sent to the front and many across to
Alexandra. We are still enveloped in the
dust on Capitol Hill awaiting orders and
perfecting ourselves in drill under the thor
ough daily instruction of our efficient colonel.
Since We have been encamped here hardly a
drop of rain has fallen and the dust which
sweeps across Our camp ground is of the con-
sistency of ashes. The absence of rain, how
ever disagreeable On many accounts, gives
Gen. Casey opportunities to review and drill
this brigade, which the gray haired veteran
does not fail to improve.
! This brigade, consisting of the 10Th and
18th Vermont, 18th and 9th New Jersey reg
iments, together with the 10Th Mass. battery,
was reviewed by Gen. Casey and staff Oct Ii.
The troops were equipped with knapsacks
hours eliciting the praise of the reviewing
officer for their soldierly appearance and pro-
fciency in drill, considering the shortness of
the time they have been in the field. After
wards the inspector. of camps gave all thor
ough inspection, and the 18th Vermont
were highly complimenied as having a camp
which in point OF order and cleanliness de-
L., al
have been so recommended To other regl-
mentS.
Last Saturday the whole division. consist
ing of several regiments and battery, ar
rayed in light marching order, were reviewed
by Gems Banks and Casey and marched
through Pennsylvania Avenue. All of this
week has been filled up with the round Of
daily duties. and the regiments have been
drilled in brigade evolution on Thursday and
, to-day. Every moment is so completely oc
: cupied that time passes away very rapid.
and Saturday night comes around almost be
fore the week las began.
Everywhere around us is one vast camp
d.. Ing ground while far off in the distance, OF
every hill which surrounds this city of mag
niiicent distances, skirting the horizon il
r every direction, some fertilization raises itsel
from which the glorious stars and stripes
, proudly float.
The most noteworthy facts in regard TO The
18th ale those which relate TO its moral and
religious character. The moral itone is Yer,
nigh and the almost perfect freedom from
profanity and the stiffness which everywhere
PREVAILS would lead one to think he was in 4
quiet New England village Our chaplain
is full Of enthusiasm and earnestness. and i,
indetatigable in his endeavors &c create and
preserve an interest in religious things O.,
, Sundays We have voluntary service in tn;
regiment in the forenoon. a.d IN the after
noon brigade service in which the chaplain
of each reg .ment takes some pant. Prayer
meetings are held in new hospital building
close at hand On Sunday, Tuesday. and
Thursday evenil gs These are well attend
ed. Soon after we arrived here a Sabbath
school was organized in the Bradford Guard:
and fifty Of that company are members o.
it. Similar enterprises will probably be soor
{ started in other companies. Every night
at dress parade the regiment forms tire,
sides of a square wher our chaplain offers ;
brief prayer and the regiment joins in som,
familiar hymn. Such things as these keeI
home influences fresh and prevent the better
part of the soldiers nature from becoming
calloused by separation from home scenes
u