The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-15
From the Messenger.
From the 18th Vermont Regiment.
FAIRrAX, Va, Jan. 7, 1868


present location, mos: beautiful weather for the
season. The nights are cold and frosty, but the
days are warm and pleasant, like tie comfortable
weather of an Ostober month ia Vermont. We
are, however, in expectation that every pleasant
day may be our last, for we hear Of protyacted
rains ard athomless mud, as making no small
portion of Virginia winter As the ground is
now slightly frozen upoR the surface and free from
mud, the travelling is excellent; and better time
to move artillery and government stores, could
not be expected at any season Of the year. The
main trouble is, that the weather is so precarious
that none can tell how soon the heavy rains will
open upan US.
Since the rebel cavalry raid, all things have
been very quiet along our lines. We Judge from
appearances tina: we may spend the wet season
here, unless the enemy drive US from cur posi-
ion, which We think c2nnet be very easily done.
If we are correctly informed, two byigades,
besides our OWE, are, for the time being, under
command Of Gen. Stosghton, including ere of
cavalry, and the I'd Connection! battery. One
brigade Of infantry, aided by the cavalry, are to
form the picket line beyond Cen,reyille, in cur
front, and our brigade is to be stationed near Fair
fax, to act as reserve in rear Of this line Of pick,
cts. We conclude it is the design Of the govern.
ment to hold this section of the State. for the
purpose of making more secure the defences Of
The Capital. We are so far out here, that, in case
of an attack, we csuld give timely notice. for ma
king preparations for defence near the city. il
this is no: the object, We can hardly see why VIC
should be here, for there is nothing in this por-
ton of Virginia, OF itself considered, that would
make it much Of an object to keep troops sta
toned here II seems that the less we undertake
to hold Of such barren territory, BY spreading our
forces, the better. There are certain prominent
points to be held, bu. our troops should be con.
centraed as much as possible, and resstlsss blows
be struck, where they will tell the most in subdu-
ing this rebellion and Furnishing those naughty
and defiant traitors.
This regiment has jus. returned from its po-
stion on the picket line and it is anticipated that
this brigade, will for the present, be discharged
from this duty, and their places there be filled by
another. We were cut and spent Saturday and
Sabbath on picket. They made their headquar
sers at Centervil!e. While at this place, we en-
braced the opportunity of visiting the battle field
of Chantilly. We saw where the storm of battle
had beat in and left its mark upon the standing
timber, aid the grass Frustrated by its tread, and
he graves of some Of the dead who fell in the
conflict. Some OF these looked as though thew
had been recently made and we learned that one
Of our regiments had of late, been engaged in .
he humane work OF covering up the remains of
some OF our brave men who fell here, and were
eft unburied by the rebels We hoped to find
ome relic to keep in memory Of the place, but
ound nothing more valuable than a bayonet to
BRING from the blood-Stained field, which will be
remembered in history as the place where some
If our best men fell.
At Centoryi!le, on the Sabbath, we held services
n the building formerly occupied for church by
he Epscopalians' The shell of it only was left,
'ut it afforded us very comfortable shelter, and
vas the first building we had occupied for public
Worship since leaving Vermont. god congre-
alton were present and the occasion one of ne.
uIiar interest This place occupies an elevated
position, and the fortfcations command the ap-
roaches from either direction. If well furnished
nth artillery, it must be very strong position,
which could not be easily taken. The appearance
the place is strong y marked by that desolation
nat is impressed upon every thing connected