Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-11-21
From the Sixth Regiment.
CAMP UPON THE WHITE PLAINS, !
VA, Nov. s, 1862.

| ,
campaign is again opened, and we move
not the weak and enfeebled army n'
| when We left Harrison's Landing, Aug,
9th, faded and worn by Al hard and
rough service and exposure during The
campaign upon the peninsula as anything
hat has ever left record upon history
md emaciated by diseases contracted III
The swamps of the ChickaEominy, from
which very many will never recover
But we move, believe, as an army suili.
cient TO carry every point before it. Our
corps, the 9Th, has double the ttrong:h il
had when we crossed the Potomac into
Maryland, and it is the same, l reckon.
with the whole army. New regiments
have been attached and the old ones re-
cruited, beside many returning TO then
companies who have been off sick in the
hospitals, Our campaign in Maryland
was rough and stormy, yet Of so short
duration that with the good fare aud pure
water which we had we gained in strength
and spirits. l need not speak of the
scenes which we experienced and the
encounters we had, for they are already
known by our friends at home. Twice
we met the enemy: at Champions Gap
and upon the plains Of Antietam. The
result is known TO you all. History can
but fail TO do justice 10 our brave troops /;
and be it remembered that the Vermont
boys were not wanting. They hayc won
name worthy the sons of the Green
Mountain State. AT Champions Gap
we passed over an open field under ter
rifle fire from the enemy's batteries for
more than mile, and then charging upon
them drove them in wild dismay over
the mountain, at The point of the bsyonet,
with but little loss to US. Three days
after, upon the plains Of Aniietam, We
took position that had been taken and
retaken twice. and as the writer has sta
ted, the Vermont boys took it, never 10
he rctaken, and thus it proved, for we
held it for more than forty.eight hours
under CALLING fire from the enemy
and even there not man hinched. But
| need not dwell here, rather leave it for
the historian.
One week last Wednesday, Oct. 29lh,
We broke up camp at Hagarstown, Nd,
where we had been on detached service
for five weeks and took up our line oil
march toward the Potomac which We
reached the night of Nov. %, after one
days delay. The next morning at sun
rise, we again crossed the Potomac upon
a pontoon bridge, at Ferlin, and made
twelve miles towards the interior Of the
Old Dominion. Each succeeding day
we have marched, making from ten to
fifteen miles q day. These may seem
small numbers to you for one TO march
in day, but it is good marching for an
army and carry the necessary luggage.
1t is no small thing to march and carry
knspsack with blankets, clothing, &c g,
also hsversack with three day raions oil
coffee, sugar, bard crackers and salt boss.
rifle and belt containing cartridge box OF
Forty rounds. The recruits stand it we'll
much better than ] expected. To day
We do not move. 1t is cold, and the
ground for tie frat time this season is
covered with snow. In the far distance
can see the dim outlines of the ALE.
ghany Mountains, ami with their mantle
Of snow they resemble the White Noun
tsins of New Hampshire.
Virginia in almost every spot shows
the ravages of war. Gen. Burnside is
in advance of US, and by cannonading we
bear almost daily far ahead, we know he
has had demonstrations with the enemy.
Our look is onward, and | believe the
next two months will tell greatly in the
destiny of the war. When we went up
the peninsula the rallying cry was 6 On
70 Richmond" but we failed to reach il.
and Lame was heaped upon Gen. Nc
Clellan, but he did ia no way merit it.
A better General never commanded an
army, and all the troops under his CON-
mand have the greatest confidence in
him. The advance upon Richmond wa.
sell conducted, and the retreat after the
army had become enfecbled and no re-
endorsements furnished, was equally "a
well conducted. The campaign in Mary
and was all tina: could be asked I'll
enemy were baflled in their attempt and
lriven with fearful losses back across the
Potomac. was told by prisoners that
we took that the name of Mcclellan SEN
a terror through their whole army that
they dreaded to meet him, but Pope and
Mcdowell they said made them good
commissaries. Still the north is prone