Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-23
A Soldiers Letter No. %.
OK PICKET, June 10, lS6,

OK PICKET, June 10, 1858.
EoroR FREsaAs Friday, the 5th, We bade
adiou to our old camp, packed up, and started
once more on the same old road 10 Richmond.
The order came.in the morning to pack up eve
rytbiog but our tents about noon the teuts
were struck. Where we were going, or what
was TO be done, was more than the shrcwdeat Of
US could answer. There was an inexpiicable air
Of mystery about the whole movement that do
fed penetration. II could hardly be possible
that we we're 70 attack Fredsricksburg again,
but it might be-; II is just like Hooker. We
were ordered 10 take three days rations, but
the order was subsequently, increased to fur.
1t was dry, hot, dusty marching, and there
seemed to be dead dulness and silent gloom
about everything, contrasting strangely with
some Of our previous marches, or else my imagi.
nation was at fault. But little was said by any
one VIC marched on in silence
The boys were not in good spirits--lhey hadn't
even whisky. Besides, they had no relish for
storming the Heights Of Fredericksburg again.
Perhaps, for the sake Of telling a good story,
ought to say we were in the best Of spirit--anI-
ious to meet the foe--coufdent Of success, and
with unbounded faith in General IIooker--but
| shall say no such thing Soldiers are not
much different from other people, and they have
their opinion Of Gen. Hooker, pro and con,
just as so many citizens would. And as for be-
ing anxious 10 NEE, the foe, all my experience
goes to prove that to be nicely situated in camp
with good tents and all the little conveniences
which ingenuity can devise, where we can have
clean, tidy quarters, with but little to do and
plenty to eat, is decidedly preferable to fighting
marching, advancing or reueaung. To march
several miles and fgbt several battles, to say
nothing of the dangers is very bard work an
soldiers love their ease as well as anybody.
never hear the order TO pack up, but that | de-
plore more sincerely than ever before that the
rebellion ever broke out. But we had had a
good resting spell and not word was said to
lndic.te timid reluctance to move. Perhaps
this grim determination on the part Of the men,
would be considered the Z" best Of spiris' by
th, 90 who are judges Of human nature
We started from camp about 2o'clock that
afternoon and marched straight to the Kappa
hammock river. We passed by the celebrated
White Oak Church, which has given name to q
large camp ever since lhe FIRST battle Of Frsde-
rlcksturg. tits . miserable, Insignificant struc-
ture, dilapida,ed and s.ssplelss, and seems to
have belonged TO some former age. Ii looks
YER, much like some ancient horse shed and bar.
that may be ssea ia some Of our less thriving
villages. What kind Of people they were that
could recognise the escrsd name Of church ap'
piled to that building 10 more than can i'm
agiue.
We struck out into the same road that the
army had tried bsfors-shs same road that our
regiment had Travelled three times TO meet the
enemy, and appareaty We were travelling II
again fer the same purpose. or course the proc.
pee, for US could not 30 moro than usually hope
fol; for in what conceivable particular were We
better prepared than We we're Eve weeks before
It seemed almos. like forlorn hope. One blud
brave fellow said he hoped if they put us on te
those heights again, and be got bis head blowr
to pieces, he should have to DO helped sf By
men on crutehes, and that was almost the only
remark heard that in any way indicated th'
animus OF the troops.
We moved dowa to the river. There wer'
but very few troops ahead Of us, but more wsr'
coming. The pontoop train was there, which
fact put at rest all doubts as TO whether vswer'
to cross the river or not. Batteries were placet
on this side Of the river and at . given momsn
opened on the enemy.
I, was smart cannonading II might almos
have been heard in Vermont. The rebel picket
occupied riae-pis on the side the hat, acros
the river. The shot. and shell from our bate
rics fell thick and last in among them, tearing
up the ground on the Cats and raising 50 much
dust and smoke that the rebels could not se'
what was going on, or render any assistance
Under cover Of this fire the 9th and 96th New
Jersey crossed over in pontoon boats, and cap
tured the rebels in the riae-pits- about $50 it
all. The rebels made spirited resistance, an'
: their FIRE was extremely annoying to our men ri
J they tried to cross The Jerseys say they tool
the rife pit, and the 5th say they did, but prob
: ably 1t takes them both to tell the whole truth
We followed soon alter, crossing the river Ia
o the samc way. for we had not time TO wait To-
8 the bridge 10 be built. Our skirmishers "a
yauced, took the road and posted themselves DO
youd IL. We took our position behind an sb
rupt rise In the IA, 10 hundred rods or more from
the river. Here We waited rs tho troops KEEP
coming in in squads, q boat load at time, y
see what disposal would bc made Of u.s. W
h were about a mile and hall, should think
}. below Freder,cskburg, On the same plain wher
50 many Of our troops have biz the das. and died
d in former battles. Were more 70 be sacrificed
e Tired Of waiting ior orders. and tired, too, I
II more genuine sense, for wc had marched raF
10 IDLY, the boys one after another, dropped
Is sleep on their knapacts. Some polled on
.. blankets and covered themselves for night
|. sleep, choosing 10 make the most Of the preset
1, and 10, tie future take care Of tssli. II csls
l. TO fall in in haste, they might have TO leave the