Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-10-09
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.


,lass-mate whom / hunted up about as
soon as I came here and though | am
weak, way-worn, weary and far from
home, yet feel quite at rest where |
now am. So much for a friend in
strange land, and, by the way, / came
across John Mile; of Wallingford, here
not long ago, and under the peculiar cir
cumstances which surrounded me, he
proved "a friend indeed"
But am to write of the 9th, not of
myself. As ] wrote you when at Annap-
oils, we left that place last week Thurs
day morning, and after tiresome jour
ney arrived here Sunday night about nine
o'clock. We came through, as is usual
for soldiers, on freight cars with one
passenger car attached for the " field and
staff" officers, and the sick; thos ; who
have been for eighty-fve hours in car,
with the soft side of board to sit and
sleep upon, can realize how the soldiers
of the 9th felt when we arrived. The
boys lived on hard crackers for the first
two days. At Pittsburgh we had a good
substantial breakfast that would hurt no
one, and at Fort Wayne, Ind, we had
splendid dinner, with pies and apples in
abundance, which was too good for SOL
diers that had seen hard fare continually.
One of the Co. K boys is said to have
eaten nearly two pies, and before shutdown
he died.
We arrived here Sunday evening and
marched about two miles to Camp Doug
las, but as the barracks had been occupied
for long time by rebels, and were still
occupied by vermin, we camped out lin
grove, and about twelve o'clock there
came up heavy shower which lasted
nearly all night. In the morning the
regiment p-es.-.ea aoOidodly drown
ed-rat appearance, but they soon got
dried off and were nearly as good as new.
The next day we went on to the Fair
Grounds and took up our abode in the
horse stables, on good flooring of fresh
hay. 1t has rained nearly every day
since, and the mud is nearly knee deep.
To-day, however. is dry, and another such
day Tomorrow will make the place Fpass-
able without bridges or boats. We have
not yet commenced living, but doubtless
shall about the time we have orders to
march.
Whether we 60 to visit the Indians or
not, do not know, | guess not. These
paroled prisoners have some strange no.
lions IN their heads; as for instance, that
they ought no longer to be subject to mill
tary relations, but should be allowed to
roam around the city at will, where there
are beer shops at every corner and two
between, and liquors of all kinds at every
beer shop. Some are apparently so scru-
pulous as to regard it violation of their
parole to take up arms to do guard duty
around camp; and one of the three regi-
ments on the Fair Grounds, the Garabal-
di Guards, refused this morning to do
guard duty at all. A few individuals in
the 9th, also refused this morning, but al
reckon" that Col. (Acting Brig. GEN.
Stannard and Gen. Tyler will persua de
them to do duty hereafter when called on
Gen. Tyler is, think from Connecticut
and has seen service, at least have Sc en-
a picture of him riding over the enemy's
breastworks a. the head of bis column.
and he looks as if he would as soon be in
such 9 place as any other. I trust that
order will soon be brought out of chaos,
and the 9th at least, will, through all its
become itself again.
This is lining place where We are. |
The war doubtless has its influences, Int
Chicago still lives. Its markets in fruits /
and vegetables surpasses any thing 1 ever
dreamed of. Apples, Pears, Peaches and
Grapes grow large and a great many in
hill about here. One fruit vender had
he audacity to ask me twenty-five cents
or single pear, and if 1 had been .spaid
If" | might have bought it, for the Dur.
'oss Of dasning it at his head. It was 4