Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-11-07
F IoM TIE ELEVENTH REGIMENT
FoRr THAYER, NEAR WASH /
1NGroN, d. c., Oct. 3. !

INGToN, ID. c., Oct. ID.
Mr.. EDIroB Our regiment has been as
signed to Gen. Banks division, in the first
brigade defenses north Of the Potomac I'M
der the immediate command Of Col. A. A.
Gibson, U. 5. A. The brigade headquarters
are at Fort Lincoln, near which fort we re-
manned about three weeks after our arrival in
Maryland The fort is about four and one
half miles directly north from Washington, on
the Washington & Baltimore Railroad, about
one-fourth of mile east Of the railroad, and
in full view Of the dome of the Capitol Our
time here was mostly occupied in connecting
by rife pits the several forts, from F. Lin
coin to FIT. Massachusetts,, a distance Of
about six or seven miles. But as it was evi-
dent while here that our position would soon
be changed, the men being somewhat anxious
spent no little Of their leisure time in won
derng whore we were TO remove TO next +;
whether our tiny would be Harpers Ferry
or some other threatened place along the Po-
tomac and many, can assure you, were the
novel and amusing speculations and express
sions as to our probable disposition. How
ever, as no orders were received we had
come to the final conclusion thar we were to
fv our winter quarters a. this post, and had
already commenced preparations for making
ourselves as comfortable as possible, and, I'M
fortunately, had fallen into many pleasant an
ticipations Of The nice times we we're to have
this winter-when, in the uncertainty of
military life, Just as we were about to retire
on the ev, ming Of the 9th ult. We were sur
prised by the receipt of order TO prepare
for an early march next morning, in the d.
rection of-nobody knew wheve--yet an were
equally eager to gain the desired information.
Aud in the excitemen, and hustle Of the hour,
the packing Of knapsacks, the finding Of the
Thousand and one little trinkets the soldier
in camp invariably has connected with his
supply" department; and the anxiety OF all
TO know their destination, each would ask his
neighbours opinion and look inquiringly to
him for an answer that would give satisiac-
ton to his apparently troubled mind and 70
attempt to enumerate the diversity and null
titude Of their vague and simple conclusions
would be utterly impossible. However, all
was of no use and we remained in "biss-
full state Of Ignorance" OF our destination
until late the next day. When we were APP
prsed Of the fact, q hardly know whether to
say happy or unhappy, for it was a sore trial
indeed, to have so fine a regiment broken up,
and the occasion Of very much regret, espe-
caiy among the field officers, that we were
to be separated into seven different detach-
ments, and we're to occupy severally the line
Of forts extending westward toward the Po-
tomac, in the following order Our right
resting upon FIT. Lincoln, to be the headquar-
tiers Of the regiment, aud occupied by Cos A
and g. A short distance to the left and
westward is FIT. Thayer, occupied by Co. l
Next in order ia Fl. Saratoga, Cos C and D.
/ Then Fit. Bunker Hill Co. F. TT. Totten
4 Co.'S + and X. Fl Slocum, Co. H.. Fl
Massachusetts,, Co. b. The forts are alst
occupied by sections Of the 18th Pennsylva-
MIA artllery-a very finely drilled and Off
cered regiment.
By recent orders, we are to commence al
once thorough "heavy artillery" drill, il
addition TO the usual Infantry practice. Il il
rumored, and | do not doubt its TRUTH that
when we become thoroughly efficient in tn,
management OF the large guns, the other reg
iments viii be removed the command giyei
over to Col. Warner, and we shall occup,
the forts exclusively. Although the mer
complained at first Of the change, thinl
they will soon conclude to be satisfied will
the new arrangement As, in that case, the,
will be doing the country an equal service
and at the same time avoid the severity o
the field. However, some of the more am
bilious ones, and some, whose courage doe
not seem to be quite fixed fact in the mind
of their comrades, still aver that they cam
out here to fight OF chase "rebs" rather thai
to be shut up in these pill boxes" Las
week the regiment was called upon to furuisi
fatigue party of fifty men from each O
the companies, to assist in building a roal
from FL Massachusetts to Chain Bridge
They have returned late this evening, tired
hungry, and heartily sick of the names q
picks and shovels, and vowing all sorts
vengeance on fatigue duty generally.
The 9th and 18th regiments have arrive,
and are encamped on Capitol Hill. And to
day there has been a general "skedaddle
and jubilee among our men. And it doe
really seem almost like being home again t
see so many familiar faces as we found anon
them, and so cheerful withal. | think
they we're to allow us to remain as near ia
gether for long time, they would have har
. work to get us tack to Vermont again, unit
they had given US little "active service"
We have some picket duty to do and 8
lar II has been rather pastime than a dut
with the boys furnishing them nice oppol
> 'uhity to supply themselves with applet
peaches, potatoes, &c. &C.. at the small es
Pense of gathering although quite to II
{ displeasure Of some Of our "secesh" friend
q IN the vicinity, Of whnm, ! am informed, "