The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-17
From the 18th Regiment.
FORT LINCOLN, D. CO.
Not 1890

FORT LINCOLN, D. C.,
Oct I, 1862. !
To the Editor of the Caledonian
Two weeks have elapsed since gave you
short account of our regiment, and within
that space of tine quite change has taken
place among US. One week ago last Satur-
day the regiment was ordered to strike tents
and prepare to march. We had heard just
enough to make US aware that our regiment
was to be divided and sent to the several
forts near by, company or two being sta
toned at each fort. These forts comprise
part of the so-called "defenses along the Po-
tomac;" but We did not know the destination
of each company. One after another the
companies moved off the ground until little
afternoon only two were left-our own COM
pany, A, and Co q, from Bellows Falls. We
were then ordered to raise our tents again
upon the old ground, and glad enough We
were to do SO. We were expecting to march,
perhaps to some distance, and of all things
which the boys dread, a long march with gun
and knapsack is the worst therefore We pre-
pared our grounds and raised our tents, per-
fectly satisfied with our location. We are
still in the same place, but expect to be
obliged to move before going into Winter
quarters. As company, We are all in good
spirits; a few are unwell-three or four are
in the hospital but are doing well. Private
E. H. Carter was shot through the wrist by
the accidental discharge of his gun while on
guard few nights since. The wound is do
ing well and he will probably be discharged
soon.
Our boys have been engaged in all sorts of
business since my first letter-one day dig
ging rihe-pits, the next working on the roads,
the next drilling, and so on to the end of the
list. One day several of-us We're sent to the
fort for an artillery drill. We were very well
pleased with the change, and were in hopes
We should have like drill daily, but as We
have had no notice to take second lesson |
presume that we were either considered in
competent for the business, or that our pro-
ticiency was such that one drill was deemed
sufficient. To-day the boys, 80 from each
company, are starting off under arms for a
three days exercise with picks and spades
| believe the distance is about ten miles, and
the boys take three days rations with them
They are TO dig rtle-p its-the old story which
is becoming rather more familiar than agree
able.
The hospital here is very we'll conducted
In DIR kidder the patients find humane ant
skillful man, and his assistants were we'll cho
sen. The hospital is situated in grove. neal
, the best spring of water have found in Thu
section. 1t is cool. airy place for the sick
!, much in contrast with the location of oul
:, camp ground, where it is exceedingly hot du
, ring most of the day, for although Octobe
is in part gone by, We have very hot weathe
here, but the boys stand it very Well and tn
JOY life as well as ever.
Perhaps it is not known to all your read
ers just who our officers are a. present.
When Capt Chamberin was appointed ma
jor, Is 1t f. J. Morrill, was appointed cap
tain in his place. This a pointment left tn
LIST Lt'cy vacant, which place was well file,
before We left Brattleboro by the appointment
of 18th Sergt Z. P. Lee of Waterford. Cor
poral Griswold of St Johnsbury is now a ser
geant and L. {. Bonett of Waterford, and L
Z. Aldrich Of St Johnsbury, have been ap
pointed corporals.
Neither officers nor men were very wei
= pleased when our regiment was divided. W
tiattered ourselves that ours was one of tn
best regiments in the service. Secretary Sew
= ard together with several other gentlemen @
S note, among whom was Lord Cavendsh, Wis
tied us one afternoon while on dress parade
They all spoke OF our regiment in the high
est terms Of praise, and said they thought
= one of the best regiments they had SEEM
Whether We shall come together again a
some future day cannot be foretold We a
hope so. The colonel and major remain nea
: Fort Lincoln. They are officers that can't b
beat. The major will always be deservedi
u popular in one company at least.
: THE CALIFORNIAN comes to US regularl,
freighted with home news, and is eagerly pc
rused by the boys. News about here is ra
Their scarce just now. "All quiet along tn
Potomac" is readily az plicable at the presen
time.
The Presidents emancipation proclamation
was hailed with great applause by the reg
ment. We consider ii the measure for tn
: times-hope it will accomplish all that tn
friends of universal emancipation expect.
F. +. ID.
Letter from Kentucky.