Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-03-05
FROM THE 18TH REGIMENT.
CAMP WOLF Run SHOALS, ]
February 20, 1868. (

MR. EDITORIALS l have rev leisure
moments, | will write to you, and if you
think proper, you can insert it in your
paper. We are encamped on a rise of
ground one-half mile from the Occoquon
river and are doing picket duty on the
banks of the Occoquon and Bull Run.
Our duty is not hard, and it takes or 4
out of company every other day. When
we are out we have good times watching
the rebels, and in pleasant weather | had
rather be out on duty than in camp, but
it has been somewhat stormy for few
weeks past. The last time was on pick
ct it had stormed for two days, and was
muddy and the little brooks were swollen
50 we could hardly get along, but when
we got to our post we were all right for it
was pleasant. q u -
On this farm, which is owned by reb-
ell, the outhouses are all torn down, and
enough of the dwelling is left to accom-
modate the pickets. There were three
privates, myself and Lieut. Cooper, and
three cavalry; the cavalry are for messen-
gers in case we are attacked, but the Run
was so high, that we apprehended no dan
ger, and made ourselves as comfortable as
possible by using the old Reb's rails for
wood.
Perhaps you never saw Virginia fire.
place, and if not you can form no idea Of
one. | have seen them that would burn
wood eight feet long. They are usually
built of sticks and mud. There is one in
this house. and it was pleasant in the
night as the fire cracked and reared, and
gave light enough to read by. We kept
one man posted on rise of ground few
rods from the house through the night,
and in the daytime we all kept watch.
The Lieut. and myself got short of ra-
tons the second day, and thought they
had got to be replenished. He said he
had seen house about two miles off, and
we started for it. We had to 60 through
piece of thick pine woods, and lost our
! directions: so we climbed tree, saw our
destination and went to the house. We
made out to get two hoe cakes and a small
Epiece of pork, and went back to our camp
thinking ourselves lucky.
Our regiment has been the healthiest
since it has been here that it has ever
been since it came out; but now the meas
els have broke out and a good many OIL
our boys are sick with them, but do moi
have them hard.
There was quite an accident happened
in our company to-day. As j. D. SatforC
and Henry Mudgett were falling tree il
the street, and it did not fall as they in
tended it should, but fell on tent wher,
Hurcleus Mudgett was, and crushed hi
head, SO we thought he was dead but HI
still'lives, but badly injured. The sur
geon thinks he may live.
The snow is about 10 inches deep to
day, but two days of sun will take it off
and then it will be very muddy. w
have got the best Col. that ever a regi
ment had. He is loved by all, and w
think as much of him as we would of
father l think our company has got tn
best commissioned officers of any compa
ny in the regiment.
| have few words to say about tn
natives, and here is specimen of thei
talk. AS our Lieut.. was coming off fror
picket the other day, he inquired how ia
it was to Wolf Shoals? "It's RICH
smart walk reckon--a heap sight ful
ther than | want to walk" But sal
the Lieut., chow far is lt?" He began t
scratch his head. "Wall, it is about tire
halloos and long walk beyond" "Br
my friend" said the Lieutenant, "you d
{ not measure distance as do how far
three halloos 2" ooh, reckon it is 6
far as you can hear a man ha!loo at thre
, times" U. w. KEITH.
,
Q.Is TLn rhnnn trnln ia onito hriok