The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-05

and proves, and the more perilous the work
imposed upon them, the more lmpetuous they
| become.
That night, should say it was about mid
night. listened to conversation among the
soldiers, that in this connection | cannot for
bear narratipg. Some of the artillery men had
kindled little fire down in the ravlne, ior
their own use, and around this fire there had
gathered some thirty or forty of our men, warm
ing their feet and telling stories. Finally their
conversation assumed the character of debate,
and The engagement before Lees Mills, and the
gallantry of Vermont troops in general, was
ably and eIoquently discussed. A verbatim
report Of that discussion would be ornate in the
columns of any paper. But can give you
| in these pages only one remark that was called
out by the debate. from one of the most cool,
dry and ginal soldiers lie the whole regiment.
He was bundled up in his rubber blanket, moth
ing visible above his shoulders but his pipe and
nose. Some fine compliments had just been paid
the 9Th Regiment, and also the 9th when, i'm
promplu, ." Uncle Ira - remarked I" Boys,
tell you what it is, if you are any like me,
there has not been but one day since we have
been in the field that think the old 5th would
have f1ickered" " When,' inquired another,
using one Of the strongest ejaculatory express.
ions ever heard, '' when was that?" Why,
don't you remember said old lra g when we
lay in camp, just below Newport News, that
one morning, very early, we were called up,
with two days ratiors, for a big march and a
good show for q fight. Well, when we stood
in line, you know Col. Smalley had just taken
command, and he pranced around the camp on
his " old grey" looking and feeling as gay as a
peacock. And when we heard the news, that
he was to lead us, we all felt as good as the
Colonel himself. But, when he rode out in
front of the Regiment and, after our cheers
and greetings, told us that he had been de-
tached from the Regiment and was to take COM
mand Of the artillery, tell you, boys, uncle
Ira 8 soul run out at his toe nails | could not
have loaded my musket that day if a million of
rebels had been in sight and | tell you, that
everybody in the Regiment felt just as | did,
and it we had been attacked then, the old 9Th
would have skedaddled.'
50 That's 50" said at least thirty voices, and
as many more .jbed in with some fancy endorse
ment, your humble servant among the rest
{" Old Ira s right" said Pat Fox, J." if he is out
OF Tobacco and then there was general re-
view made Of the " old 5th," and more stories
tod than your correspondent cares about re-
latlng. What the Colonel will think of " I'm
Gle Ira and myself for relating this story
cannot say, but could not help thinking that,
though he had just been presented with fine
sword from the line officers of his command,
this compliment from soldier would be worth |
far more than all such marks Of esteem and
Flags Of truce are still very common What
they are all for [ cannot say, but this same
g old Uncle Ira" says g he reckons the rebels
want to borrow some shells" Not improbable.
The sharpshooters are still at work, and as evil
dcncc of their stewardship we dali hear the
50 dead march, in the camp of the enemy I'll
tell you more about them in my next in the
meantime your readers will excuse me if close
this letter with no more exciting intelligence
than % such is life
Yours, &C., SEE SEE Ess