Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-01-08
FROM THE 18TH REGIMENT.
Fairfax Court House, Dec. 80

Mr.. EDITOR: thinking That perhaps
the readers of the Nea1Sdealer would like
to read in its columns, while around their
evening Preside, of the movements of the
18th regiment, | will give a beief sketch
of it.
Nov. 2lst, at 7 P. NJ, the order came
into camp to pack knapsacks; which the
BOYS did with haste. Then the order came
for light marching, and forty rounds of
cartridges; which was done promptly, and
at 1926 they were in the ranks and on a
march. They marched till next morning
in a cold rain, (if up in Vermont it would
be too cold to be out) and then camp till
daylight, when the march was recon-
menced; and after two and a half days
march they arrived at Union Mills. Here
they encamp, and were on picket duty.
When on picket, Lieut.. Kenfeld and some
of the privates discovered a portable forge.
and all things thereto belonging, hid in
some by place. The next morning he
went to Col. Randall, and told him what
he had found, and that he wanted a team,
which was granted. Taking a guard from
Company E, he went and brought his
prize into camp. The Col. said it was
worth $75, and now they could have their
own blacksmith and shop.
Capt. Boynton wishing to see some of
the ruins, told his soldiers what he was
to do, and that all who wished might fall
in; when most all of his company and
some of Company X, making a full COM
pany, formed in line. After viewing the
battle ground, they thought it best to re-
turn to camp; so they stroll along in that
direction. Some of the boys ran on to 2
horses and a mule in q field with G. S. on
them. They were at a stand how to get
them into camp. Atlast Clough told them
to take the straps from their guns for
brides. They did so, and then rode them
in. The regiment remained here ten
days and then was ordered to Camp YER
mont. After the regiment had got to the
depot it began to storm, and there was a
rush for the cars, there being some open
and some close ones, and when our bag
gage was on board, there was q rush,
Capt. Boynton, not so hasty as the rest,
kept his men back till all the open cars
were filled, and then he got his men into
close cars, where they were all out of the
storm, which was more snow than rain.
Here we were in good quarters, while all
who got on the cars first were out in the
storm. When near the Alexandria depot
the cars stopped and the soldiers were or
dcred to sling knapsacks and march to
Camp Vermont. The snow was falling
fast, and this made some of the soldiers
wish that they were in Old Vermont.
Some got permits to 60 into other regi-
ments where they had friends or ~acquaint-
ances, while the rest of the regiment went
into the woods where they underwent what
pen cannot describe in a minute, but
came out safe in the morning. But few
took cold. The snow was 4 inches deep
in the morning, and the weather was cold.
This snow remained eight days before it
was gone. At noon our tents came. The
boys had the snow scraped off, so the tents
were put up in a hurry, and all had a
good nights rest.
The next day they went to stockading
their tents and making ire-places to keeI
them warm, for they were going to spend
the winter here; but as they had got SC
they were living, it was all kicked over.
On the 18th of the month the order came
to march the next morning at 6. They
left camp before it was light, and at s We
passed many a ruin, and halted for a resi-
at 8. Again We start, and soon pass
Clouds Mills. This in a time of peace
was a place of business, but now its win.
dows all demolished and its buildings il
ruins.
About 4 P. M. the regiment were al
Fairfax Court House. About half a mile
beyond, in a level piece of woods the reg
iment pitched their tents. The timber il
oak and chestnut, and looks like a vt
sugar place. Near by is a fine field which
is used for n parade ground. There /,