Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-01-01

From the Eleventh Regiment.

|
Mr.. EDITOR On the 18th day of Novem-
Der, this regiment again took up its march,
not for the battle field but for different Forts
along the ine-all the companies moving a
few miles west, and being distributed among
three Forts in the following order, viz Com
panies A and X at Fort Totten, Companies
E, F, G and Fl one mile further west, at Fort
Slocum, which is regimental headquarters, =
Companies B, c, d and |, together with the
setts. This Fort is about four miles north of
/, Washington on 7th St., the direct road from
| the city to Frederick, Nd. L mounts about
twenty guns. Soon after we came to this
place, the ground was selected for our barracks,
each company assigned its location-and now
each company commenced active operations
toward constructing for themselves comfortable
quarters for the winter-one building for each
company, and all built after the same style,
| (that is to say they are in uniform, which is
decidedly military Each building is 60 feet
IN length and 20 feet in width, built of stock
AIDES, or, IN other words, spiles eleven feet in
| length set IN the ground, upon the tops of
which the plates are placed, and strongly
spiked. The crevices between the stockades
are first caulked with moss, and then pastered
over nicely with Maryland mortar; this article
IS found here IN abundance, especially after a
RAIN. The ratters are put upon the plates and
covered with boards. There are four large
windows upon each side, and two doors, one
at each end of the building Thus much for
the exterior; and now please step inside and
we will take view of the interior portion of
the edifce BY the way, | forgot to state that
the roof boards are hemlock. but all the nice
work inside, is done off with white pine. The
sleeping apartments are arranged on either
side, with a wide hall between, extending the
entire length OF the building. The hunks are
constructed one above the other, three stories
high 2 sn that those who occupy the the upper
lott nave some climbing 10 do; these Dunks
are very similar in their arrangement to those
on steamboats,, except they are minr7 the
mattresses and pillows. As a snbstitu. or
pillows we take our knapsacks, and for mat
rasses we spread down our overcoats, which
answer very we'll 1T only requires two or
three months practice to become Injured to
these things. We think just as much of our
hunks HoT as we formerly did of feather
beds.
The weather has been pleasant and quite
warm for the past ten days. We had a snow
storm on Friday the 9th inst, and the follow
ing Saturday and Sunday We're extremely
cold; but we We're fortunate enough to have
our barracks nearly completed, and we moved
in on Friday the 9TH inst. before the storm.
Monday the weather began to moderate, and
some days during the week W re as fine as
summer
During the long evenings, some engage them
selves in reading. others in writing letters to
their friends, some in telling stories, others in
discussing who is the greatest General of the
war, and those who choose amuse themselves
in dancng-the band consisting of one violin
which is played from six to eight without ceas-
ing; these dances however are conducted very
civilly. Thus passes away the evening until |
half past eight, when the drum beats for roll |
call, at 45 minutes past eight the lights are to |
be ex'inguished and everything remain quiet |
for the night.
This Regiment Is now transferred from in |
fantry to heavy artillery, and the tactics are |
being, studied, and doubtless in a few days, |
practice lin drilling) will be united with theo- |
ry. The order of our. transfer signed by the
Secretary of War was read on dress parade a |
short time since.
| suppose the regiment will be recruited to
al tlitI oIiCHStils NhiCi 10 dDOub IOOo llitl |
If there are any young men left IN Vermont
who wish to join the army, now is the time
be sure and not let the opportunity pass neg
lected. If there are any who do not wish to
enlist, ret them powder their hair, and get |
Surgeons certificates of inability
There are three or four men from each COM
pany sent out on picket every night; they go
about three miles north and take posts near
the splendid residence of Post Master Blair
Company G are fortunate enough to have their
post upon Mr.. Blar's grounds and near his
house, their business being to guard his build
ings and prevent their being fired. Mr.. Blair
has fitted up place for them and they have
fire and are very cozy ; anything the boys wish
to eat is freely given them, and no pay sever
taken in return.
Every sunday morning at 9 o'clock the
fall in fully equipped, and are
to- the parade ground for inspection,
which is generally conducted under the super
attendance of some field officer.
Our Captain and Second Lieutenant have
'esigned, and Lieut.. Goodrich is now in COM
nand Of company G.. The vacancies will
robably be filled in few days.
The boys are all in good spirits and enjoy
themselves very well. We expect to remain
ere through the winter, and how much longer
ieponent saith not.
In haste, J.A.L.