The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-25
(Our War Correspondence
From the Fifth Vermont Regiment
CAMP NEAR CLOUD Mill,

CAMP NEAR CLOUD Mill,
March 10, 1862.
Mr.. WILLARD Had been " regular cor
respondent with no other business than t
write about army matters, l should have givel
you at an earlier date Il review and short chap
ter of particulars concerning the movements o
the Vermont Brigade. But for the last fou
days we have been soldering too much to ALLOW
me an opportunity for any outside business
You will recoect that in my last, dated a
Flint Hill, told you of the joy, the shouting
and the wild enthusiasm of our troops, on thu
publication of the 6 Order - that We supposed
was to hurry US off to Dixie as fast as forced
marches and steam could carry us. Well, or
the next morning at daylight and when every
man was in heavy marching order, Mcclellan &
touching address and stirring appeal to the Army
OF the Potomac, was read to us. II was so SIM
pie, so concise, 50 honest, and told the story
that we had learned by months of patient,
steady and constant toll, SO clearly and SO feel
lngly, that most, if not all Of this command
We're in tears. 1.-The period of naction is
passed now God defend the right What
language for the patient soldier who, day and
night, month in and month out, has watched
our own doors. Nov you are to advance and
you hear the soldiers response in cheer after
would never for moment lear to leave the re-
suit OF this war and the destiny of the Union
in their hands. We were all taken by surprise
At the command {" Attention to orders, we ex-
pected to hear something about rations," or
knapsacks," or some other old threadbare
"order." But, instead thereof, chieftan
spake to his soldiers to soldiers that he " could
trust to save our country" God bless him and
toryaue his enemies !
The reading and the cheers being over, we
filed away on the most fatigueing march ever
made by troops on the Potomac. We were to
report at CLOUD Mill" on the Little River
Turnpike, where we are now encamped But
~ some mistake, blunder or misunderstanding
OF orders, we (the 5Ih RegimenD took the wrong
road, and after marching from seven to eight
miles out of our way, through mud boot-tops
deep, and In drenching rain and cold, piercing
wind, we finally, at dark, were sheltered in an
open Market House in the city OF Alexandria,
That you may have some idea of the condition
we were in to pass the mig hit under an open shell
ter Of that character, will add, by way of pa
renthesis, that from my under-clothes alone, |
wrung out nearly quart of water, AID out of
my long top boots emptied as much more. The
march was fully twenty miles, but it was made
with the spirit and pluck of veteran troops.
We certainly began to think that" Little Mae
was In earnest about giving us IS long and rapid
expected OF course, to find the
men next morning" used up old, lame and
stiff. But all save a few who were lit subjects
for the hospital before the march, We're as fresh
and game MS ever, and We report to-day but few
on the sick list III consequence Of that march
and exposure. The next day being Sunday, we
were removed in the afternoon FROM the Market
to Church, the temple of a Secession pastor
and congregation, the Provost Marshal opening
the doors u et arms, while the pastor took Leg
bail. In the evening u delegation of ladies Wis
tied the Church and made a distribution of socks
among the men,-a timely gift. Services were
had, and the men retired, but at ten O'Clock
were aroused and notified to be ready to march
at tour in the morning TO Clouo Mill distance
of five miles. This rather dampened their ar
dor, and the mercury in their souls and knees
began to fall. All day long they had believed
that in less than f.rty- eight hours they would
be embarked for Dixie. Guns We're cleaned,
and clothes and accoutrements put In good or
der for the voyage. 'Old Vermont :" was to
do something IN the way OF giving treason
d" lift" Back to camp was the last place they
expected to 60. Back 10 camp" meant more
mud, drills, fatigue, guards, pickets, and thou
sand other memories of the Potomac. No won
der they felt mad cross, old, sore, sick and dis
appointed. Back to CAMP" l sometimes
think they would rather have plunged into the
muddy river and swan to Dixie rather than to
have seen another camp on Its hillsides But at
four o'clock every man was at his post, and the
march was made. OF course we found the
Brigade right where we expected to-in the mud.
The other Regiments, AZ our expense, had con-
siderable spot. We had to take 1T right and
left. The Second boys sing out, Here comes
the city sogers - what 8 the price of whis-
key?" - say, boys, have you got reduced to
the ranSs?' and Il hundred other jests and Jokes,
all of which, on Il back-load OF ppointlnents,
were hard TO endure. However, We quietly in.
formed them that we had come out TO INSPECT
the drill and discipline of the &" country SOL
ders, - and passed along to our camp-ground.
the best, by The way, that we have ever had.
So here We are, part and parcel Of the same
old army OF the Potomac that us yet has no his
tory in this great struggle for the Union, save
the panic OF Bull hun and the slaughter of
Balls Bluff. But we know that great chief.
tain leads US, and in his promise 10 bring us
face 10 face with the enemy" we have an abid-
ny i"i.h' W.. coi'hueuce hc aircauy mas, and
If his plans and strategy demand another draft
upon our patience it shall be freely honored.-
1t makes no difference what political leaders
think or newspaper marshals write about our
General-htS soldiers lore him, and nine out of
ten are perfectly familiar with the objects OF his
traducers. vi one thing these men may rest
assured, this army fights under Mcclellan, or it
neUer fights. 1t has combated the enemy, and
under the nuuerYiaion Of nulitcians nd inu rnols