The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-21

(Our War Correspondence.]
From the Fifth Regiment.

CAMP ON THE MARCH, May IL, 1862
Mr.. WILLARD II was surprised this morn
ing on referring to the map, to find that we
We're already north of Richmond. New Kent
Court House is in sight from our camp and
the map shows that this place is few miles
north, and about thirty five east of Richmond,
on line OF railroad to the Confederate city,
the metropolis Of everything military, congress
slonal or diplomatic IN rebeldom. But how
soon we shall be doing police duty in that mu-
nicipal city, depends very much upon military
necessities and contingencies, anu not II little
upon the remarkable skedaddhng gait and bot
tom Of the fleeing army. Very many are con.
fident that they intend to make Il bold stand
within their Notifications about that Guy, while
Others contend that they are Tor getting OF c OF
Virginia and the Border States as fast as posi-
Bile, and that they will not halt this side Of
Lynchburg and am partially inclined to this
last opinion myself. One thing is certain, and
ii you please, you can dignity the move with the
most polite and scientific military term in an
army lexicon, euacuating. They certainly have
left this peninsula us precipitately as their lin
tied means OF transportation and legs could carry
them. Oar army once had OCCASION to " cvac-
uarc" Bull run, aid assure you that our troops
in that panic left no more evidences Of rout and
flight than they have left between here and
Yorktown, to say nothing about their repulse
and loss at Williamsburg. Every road and
cross-road Is filled with army plumber in the
shape OF wagons, gun CARRIAGES hacks, buggies,
guns, ammunition, old clothes, knapsacks, and
last, but not least, deSerters-the happiest men
have seen in many a day. They had \" French
Through" -" their fighting was over, but ours
was not - and it would have pleased you to
have seen their smiles and sparkling eyes as they
gave these responses to the salutations of our
advancing troops. Ether fighting was DONE"
and instead ofwar ,deA tn and carnage, their hearts
were swelling with hope of the endearnents and
entertainments OF home. Envy, on an occasion
like that may not have been very patriotic
emotion, but who could help it Tired, foot
sore and weary, Flooding on in pursuit of the
most ruthless army ever under arms, to see any
body going home, started a train OF sensations
ana associations that no patriotism can smother.
But other scenes soon quieted all feelings Of the
kind. We began to meet swarms of negroes,
and at every " halt" TO hear their stories.
wish that could tell you some of them, but
it cannot be done in any other way short of su-
peror conversational powers, gesture and posi-
ton. One old darkey tried his best to press
his opinion about the two armies. and he excl
ted much merriment among his listeners. - De
secesh 90 by yesterday, and dey look mighty
bad; dey was dirty, Jagged and hungry, ami
Cleaning forward and speaking IN an andertoDe.)
tells what, massa, | 'spects dey were {. lityie
scared. Bu5 you, Lordy Massey, isa powerful!
army, and ali best looking men | ever did see,
and hopes you catch en-. ., my God. massa,
dey IS Lad men, mighty bad Dcy thloks moth
inS OF shooting and stabbng wounded men. O.,
dey IS awful bad And SO he went on in a.
strain that cannot begin to give.
We arrived at this camp yesterday afternoon,
and expected to march again this morning, but
it being the Sabbath, Gen. Mcclellan rested his
army, and, by SO doing, has made another link
in the chain OF confidence, affection and esteem
which binds the leader and his followers We
shall, however, be on the move early in the
morning. | was intending to write more, ex-
pectlng that should have this day to myself,
but as have just been detailed for picket duty,
| shall be Obliged to wait for another opportu-
nifty. Should your readers ever have another
opportunity to read a letter from your CORES.
pondent, it will probably be dated at Richmond
1t is but "a short distance there, buta very steep
grade, and it is not impossible that we shall be
many days on the road. | hope, however, to
reach there safely, but if do not do SO, take
this occasion to wish you al goodbye.
Yours, SEE. SEE. Ess