The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-29
(Our War Correspondence.)
From the Fifth Vermont Regiment.
CAMP SCOTT, Va, April %, IS

Yesterday morning, with fatigue party o.
two hundred men, 1 was directed to report tt
Lieut. -, of McClellans engineer corps, tol
further orders. Fully equipped with axes ano
hatchets, we reported at the place designated
and were Immediately put to work in the woods
directly in the rear of the caissons of Ayers
battery. We were to work industriously as
possible during the day making gablons, with
the assurance that on the morrow, If we chose
to be detailed for that purpose, we should work
upon fascines Now, your readers must remem-
Der that Secretary Stanton S censorship of news
will not allow them to tell each other, or their
most intimate friends, what these "gabions y
and " fascines' are, for if such news should
come into the hands OF the enemy, it would give
them a great advantage over us, our position,
and our works. therefore hope that you will
not forget to call the attention of your readers
to this fact in an editorial paragraph. By sun
down we had one hundred and thirty-one ga.
bions made, but did not turn out to-day to work
on the tascines, that job being given to another
party. The gabion business is a neat whole
some employment, but have no idea that |
should like the trade as an occupation.
Last night we had large force out at work
digging rhe-pit, not more than two hundred
yards from the rebel works. The pit was COM
pleted, and so quietly was the work done, that
not gun was fired at the party during the
night. 1t is now occupied by our pickets and
sharp-shooters. 1t was most bold, very dan
gerous, but successful undertaking, and we
now have full command of all the works of the
enemy fronting our position.
Night before last, after all had retired, we
were notified to call the boys up and have them
take a vote upon their pay-viz: Whether they
would be paid now, or wait till after the siege
And seven out of the ten companies voted to
wait till after the siege Two regiments, un-
derstand, voted to receive their pay now. What
the result of this baloting will be, cannot say,
but if the men were in any other place except
on this three miles of steep grade towards Rich
mond, every man would want his pay; but
now they would hardly know what to do with
it. There is no sutler to trade with-no " sub.
sistcnce stores of any kind to purchase, not
even tobacco, and if they keep the money in
their pockets, and happen to fall, or are wounded
in battle, the possibility is that the rebels would
seize it as collateral for the redemption Of their
Confederate bonds. For it is in evidence that
they will take everything they can reach, and if
their arms are not long enough they will take a
long stick for it,
Preparations for the siege are still going on
briskly, and there is rumor in camp that our
brigade is to be relieved for few days from this
constant duty, either in the shape Of fatigue,
guard, picket, or fighting. And it is right chat
it should be 50, for the men have been over
worked both day and night.
Another prisoner was brought in last night,
a fine, intelligent looking young man. He was
first taken to Gen. Smiths headquarters, and in
the course of an hour was sent up to Gen. Nc
Clellan. The commoners at Smiths quarters,
on his arrival and departure, seemed TO gay TO
us outsiders, that the prisoner was either of rank
and consideration, an F. F. V. for instance, or
he was "a repentant rebel, and was giving impor-
tant information.
M. Mercier's diplomatic visit to the rebel ar
my, or Congress, we don't know which, creates
much talk in camp. Men of his rank seldom
chew, smoke, or peddle tobacco, or engage in
any truck an dicEer business smaller than the
fate of armies, or the dcstines of nations II
there was no rebellion he would not be here, to.
bacco or 10 tobacco. If he is peace-,naker,
the sooner he finishes the job the less mourning
will there be in Vermont. Americans are Il very
curious people, and in times like the present,
are anxious to know the business of such inpor.
tant characters as MERCER, in Dixie.
All eyes are turned toward Yorktown. and
wish had better batch of rews to send you,
but have not My next. hope, will be more
interesting. Yours, &c.,
SEE. SEE. Ess.