Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-16
A Soldiers Letter-NO. 81.
CAMP NEAR WHITE OAK CHuRcn, Va, !
June 4th, 1868.

Il
from another three days picket sweat, lima
tured and covered with dust. Our guard mount
ing this time had been enlivened by the newly
arrived Brigade Band We have been for q
long time eagerly expecting this Band, and 1t
was no small satisfaction to sec these musicians
with US. Ii is getting to be quite rare treat
to hear good martial music, but
this seemed all the better for being sent from
Vermont for our especial entertainment and
qualification. Files and drums lost their charms
long ago, if, indeed, they ever had any. This
Band made fine appearance, their music was
excellent, aud it turned off our guard mounting
quite agreeably.
After guard mounting we proceeded to our
posts, distance OF some two miles or more
The fine dust in the roads, in places was like
ashes and before we had gone far, every man
was 50 covered with the gray dust that he
looked for all the world as if he had just been
immersed in an ash-hcap All the fine effect OF
the music was spoiled by this dusty march in
the hot sun. The first day we stopped at the
small reserve. Here we had but to get into the
shade, read books, if we had them, and make
things as agreeable to ourselves as we pleased.
We had nothing to disturb the harmony of
our leisure, except that We must fall into line,
whenever the officer Of the day came around,
that the proceedings might in every particular
be done up at the highest military standard. Al
though this might often spoil a precious nap,
or interrupt u pleasant story, it was clearly too
small task to occasion any grumbling, and no
doubt he Of the red sash was in every way sat
isied with our promptuess. The next day we
were on the outposts and stood guard two hours
out of every six. We were stationed near the
Potomac crock, where the prospect Of seeing an
enemy was about equal to the prospect of Ia
king Richmond Standing guard there is dull,
listless business. Who, three years ago, in
his widest dreams imagined that he shou be
divorced from bls peaceful pursuits and engaged
in an occupation in itself so utterly proftless
1t Is strange anomaly for our heaven exalted
land
recollect that we did not get over much
sleep that night for which am willing the mus
qultoes should have as much credit as our vigl-
lance in watching the rebels. did Mt see but
one god thing on that support, aud that was
two canteens Of milk, that one of the boys Dor
rowed-oi somebody's cows. There was some
Jerseys with US, and every Que was loud in as
setting that their time was out the 81 Of June,
while the Gov yrnment claims them TIL the 18th
They were evidently not over anxious to be en-
gage1 in another battle. Some Of the croaks
that came out with our grub spoiled one lel.
lows appetite by telling that they were under
marching orders again with another eight days
rations.
The third day we were back on the large
reserve, where We might pitch quoi,s, play po-
ker, or amuse ourselves any way most conven.
lent 10 our inclinations. | had reserved my
hour for sleep till night, intending to lay in for
a little extra of that luxury, and, if possible,
make up the lost time. But the Captain spoiled
my plans by detailing me to stand guard over
the guns. Generally we had done this duty
by taking turns which, divided among SO many
was not worth minding, but this time the cap.
tain had made different arrangement, on hi.
own hook, and one that decidedly disapprove
However, | did my first two hours duty as
any patriotic soldier should, and had il not been
!or the blunder | made in going back to some.
oodys else quarters instead of my own, when
was relieved, so that, unfortunately, when the
next two hours came around The corporal could
not find me, should probably have done my
whole duty, for never shrk. As it was got
a bully nights rest, but had to apologize to
the corporal in The morning, and that is some.
thing | always dislike to do for apologizing
under such circumstances, to fellow OF his
resolute calibre is MT always the safest kind oil
business.
The fourth day we were relieved by the other
brigade. The new pickets said the camp was
full of rumors. That morning they had had to
stand in line under arms, Ia Chckahomny
The First and Second Army Corps were on the
move, some said up the river, SOME said down
and Others said they were not moving at all
All seemed to think that some important work
was in contemplation.
They had asplendid ball at Gen. Hewes' head.
quarters Wednesday night 1t twas select par.
ty, no lower caste than field officers were ad.
mitted, u0less they were particular fayorites OF
had lady, which, for the sake Of a lull attend
anee of the fair sex, was an especial recommend
An affair like that, so suggestive oil the pleas.
ures OF home, and 50 strkingly in contrast with
camp scenes IN general, excited the curiosity oil
great many of the boys, and forgetting the dc.
mands of decorum, they huddled around Ia
get, ii possible, an outside view of the enchant
Ing show. Among these impertnent outsiders
they say, was u large number of the Second
boys. Our boys were bound to have some fun
out OF the perormance-and they like fun, a.
they do chickens, geese and pigs, all the better
lift is obtained at somebody's else expense. The
boys had the greatest respect for this Assem-.
blagc, but their pride was a little piqued by be.
ing gratuitously informed that they could no,
on any account be admitted, A large hall had
been improvised for the occasion. II was bull,
OF evergreen boughs and was all the more int.