Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-07-02

only here and there was house to be
seen, bearing some marks of former beau
ty and quiet but now, on every side you
could read the sad history Of the war,
and trace its finger mark that leaves moth
ing but devastation and ruin. While
thus gazing, | noticed paper pinned
upon d smoky tent on which was printed
Provost Marshal" | entered and made
enquiry for the 9th Army Corps,
"What Division, sir? ?"
THE Sd, Captain. -
"That is across the river but the 2nd
is about two miles in the rear of my
tent"
"Can get across the river, Captain
| have a pass from the War Department.
Certainly, sir, no trouble" and step
ping outside he pointed the direction to
pursue.
| took look at the train of cars, and
found they were being rapidly loaded.
The mystery of the empty cars needed no
explanation. But resolved to go ahead,
and after walking thrse miles landed at
the pontoon bridges that cross the Rap
pahannock. But could 60 no further.
Orders are imperative, The guard gave
me knowing kind of a wink as he re-
marked:
You might as well stay this side, for
| guess you'll see them all before morn
ing"
You anticipate retreat?" enquir-
ed.
"No doubt about it. They wont let
even the mail wagon across, and don't
you see we have got the bridges covered
with hay? That's so they can come
back STILL" #|
Turning around, l saw a soldier who
looked good enough to be Vermonter
filing his canteen with water My case
began to look little dubious, and | felt
the necessity of finding some acquaintan-
ces. at
II say, fellow, do you know where the
Vermont Sd is?" r., ..ajs
Guess do. l belong to the 9Th, and
the Sd is close by us.
How far from here"
about mile, over on the hill. ]
am going right up, and will show you the
camp" as .ase
1t was not long before l had around
me many old friends and acquaintance.
| was tired, hungry and faint, but soon
Lieut.. Kennedy had dish of oysters
cooked, after which we took large field
glass and commenced to survey the points
of interest in that truly historic region.
Not more than three miles from us, on the
first tier of hills south of the Rappahan-
mock, we could distinctly see the rebel
camp, their forts, rihe-pits, &c. With the
aid of the glass we could count the line Of
pickets on both sides for four or FIVE miles
A balloon was up making observations,
and various speculations were going on
among the troops as to the chances and
probabilities of a move. a5 ua,r
While thus engaged, sohis came shell
from rebel battery, and struck about 20
rods from where we stood. In a moment
another, and then another came, each ono
bringing forth some laughable remark
from the boys, who appeared as cool and
collected as though the terrible messen.
gers of death were mere squibs from q
pop-gdn. 1t was not long before two oi
our batteries returned the compliment
and for few minutes the fire was lively,
, when the rebels ceased, and everything
became quiet, know of no damage be-
ing done. but it did seem to my inexpc,
rienced eyes and ears rather arisky place
) For an honr or more thick, black heavy
clouds had been gathering, and soon the
stunning peals of thunder and vivid fash
es Of tightening we're followed by terrific
wind and rain. / believe ! never saw il
rain harder than it did for thirty minutes
We were lying in small shelter tents and
it was not long before our blankets be
came saturated and we we're encircled il
large pools, 1t was indeed a sorry look
ING time for me. being i'll prepared fol