The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-10-15
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN OCT. IS 1862

There remain here the Colonel, Major, Adiuiant
QuarermaSler and Chaplin; also COMPANY \
and u. The next in line i, Font Ihayer, which i,
about half mile from here. 1t is situated upon
small hill, Is OF quite Small size, ana in shape is
nearly circle. It's armament consists Of one
twen'y-iour pound serge gun, four thrly-twO pound
barbette, one eight inch iowItZer, and one small
brass mortar. This tolt is built on tie most deien.
aIve SIDE, OF earth; the opposite is sockaded, and
with ioop-boles Tor muSketry. At this turt are
stationed company |, and they for neatnes, of
! parade ground and convenience 0. tents. are ex-
ceLed by 10 company. They have stockaded
their tents, which is done by cutting timber
(aooui foot in GiameterD into sticks about SIX
feet long. These sticks OF posts are split once
through the centre, which leaves one side square
the other remains rounding. The edges OF these
posts are then fitted together, as well as possible,
with common chopplng axe, the only Implement
we have IN erecting onr houses. They are then
set into the ground two feet, side by side in IA cir
Gle just the size of the bottom of he tent for
which they are designed. This leaves them tx-
tending about four leet above the surface of the
ground. Upon these stockaGes the tents are
placed and fastened. This arrangement. when
properly made is a great improvement. 1t fur
nishcS more than double the room, and many
ground.
The next, and little 10 the left is Fort Sarato-
"a, which is similar in size and shape TO Fort
Thayer. 1t mounts six thrty.two pound Barbette
guns, and one small brass mortar Here are STA
toned companies and D. 1t is also the head
quarters OF the Lieut.. Colonel. At each of these
forts are stationed one or two companies of heavy
artillery, which would make them. in case of an
attack very well manned. 1t is rumored that our
regiment are going to prac,icng upon heavy ar
ti!!ery. Whether this Is true or not, am unable
to say. The health of the regiment considering
tie time of year, and the change Of climate con-
ilnues very good generally. We nave twenty
I"o IN the hospital principally from slight fever.
Our hospital Is situated near Fort Saratoga. un-
der the brow OF the hill, and in very pleasant
grove. And one thing he:e must mention; it
IS their spring of water. think when hear its
cheerful sound, Jumping and lcapins down the
hillside, and QuenCh my thirst with ita cool re-
reshlng auSht, that old Vermont, even, would
De proII OF such treasure. The conve nience OF
amp e are daily being made nanf ST, and as
sure you Yankee genius is not asleep. Most of
he officers have procured mess chests, which con.
.ain small stove, with appenduses, and all the
necessary articles for cooking, and setting table
ne chest itself when opened and properly arranged
makes a very good table. Those also, no have
lot portable beds, have erected stationary ones
which Is done BY driving tour stakes into the
yround, at the night distance apart for posts Then
ayln- two poles upon them for size pieces, and
ucklnS III some heavy cloth or bagging, our bed
made with simplicity, though substantially, is fin.
shed. learn that you are having quite cool
weather in Vermont, and the cold autumn winds
IRE fast upon you ; rlce Versa, here. With the ex-
,epuon OF an occasional cool night, we have very
warm weather. think the temperature about
he same you have in July and August.
In this vicinity agricultural pursuits are very
United, and the fields very barren. Whether it
$ The unproductveness of the soil, or the want of
industry and enterprise, is not difficult to deter
nine. l think an observer would, from the appear
lnce OF the inhabitants, if nothing more, decide
hat the latter is the cause. From either of these
Forts person can look for some distance, bat in
rain the eye searches for even one field or one
Icre OF production such as true industry and en-
erprlse yield. Nothing seems to be under state
}! cultivation, except an occasiona! patch OF corn
u cAb0ages and few potatoes, nearly all in un-
ard rough ground. Mehnks the Yer
mont boys say surely" this is not land ofmlk and
loney," and unless more favorable places than
his comes under their observation while march
ne IN the " land of Dixie few very few. will
'icn their tents aud drive their stakes here.
3nt we will Hurrah for old New England with
Ter cloud capped Granite Hills"