Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-10-03
From the Third Regiment.
Camp near Berkinsvile, Nd, }
Sept. 16, 1862. {

sept. 10, 1902.
Mr.. EDIToR:--I thought | would
pen you few lines 20 let you know our
whereabouts. The Vermont brigade is
in camp near BerkinsviIle. We had an
order this morning TO be in readiness to
march at a moments notice. The health
of the Vermont boys has improved very
much since we left Harrison's Landing,
although we have had considerable march
ing to do since we left that place. We
have not bad any mud to march through
worth speaking about except on our
march from Centrevlle TO Alexandria,
The roads have been very dry and dusty
as we have had very little rain since we
Itfl Harrison's Landing. We bad plenty
good water and rations on the march, and
the Colonel gave us great praise for the
good order we kept.
We marched through the beautiful
village OF Berkersvile on Sunday on the
double quick, under the fire Of several
rebel batteries planted on tho side of a
mountain near this place. The whole
brigade passed through the range OF these
batteries without one man being hurt, al
though one she'll was thrown SO near our
ranks that We expected some would have
been killed. The 4th Vermont had a
sharp fight with the enemy, and drove
them across the mountain in great confu-
sion, killing and woundirg n great num-
Der Of them. BY the time we had got
up to the mountain the firing had ceased.
The fight commenced Sunday in the af-
ternoon, or. near srn-down. TIE rebels
left in their retreat a great amount of
clothing behind them. As we were going
up the mountain we saw several rebel
prisoners who had been in the fight one
Of them said that he belonged to a North
Carolina regiment, and declared that he
had been forced TO enlist in the rebel ar
my. A great number of prisoners were
taken Sunday-some by the 4th Ver-
mont. Squads were broughtin all day
yesterday; they looked as though they
had been better fed than clothed some
were almost baretooted, though most ap-
peared to be in good spirits, as they un-
doubttdly expected to be treated WE'LL
Some Of them said they had enlisted only
three or four weeks, and that they had
some hard marches. We think there
must be some four or five hundred priso-
ners taken in all. There were but few
killed and wounded in the Ith VT
After climbing over rocks, stones, and
through bushes we gained the summit of
the mountain, and there we rested our
weary limbs. There we could see the
country through which we had passed,
and directly below US lay the beautiful
village Of Berkersvlle. The scenery
was delightful to behold, dotted here and
there with beautiful groves. 1t seems al
most as though we were among the green
hills oil vermont. 1he valley below IS
well entitled TO the name of Pleasant
Valley which has been given to the
surrounding country. The climate
around here is enjoyed better by our
troops than that among the swamps and
lowlands OF Virginia.
1t seems to put new spirit into the
troops since Mcclellan has been put into
command of the army of Virginia. AL
though our boys were tired and weary
while passing through the streets of
Washington, yet they gave three cheers
for 'little Mae We think that he is not
the man to be defeated, but one who is to
lead US on to victory and glory.
Yours truly,
s. C. GALLUP.