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

From the I'd Vt. Brigade.
In Camp near Fairfax Court House,
Dec. 25th, 1862.
Mr.. EDITOR - Scamp Vermont is ''no
more" to us save i'll the pleasant memories of
the past. Two weeks to-day, as we were on
picket duty, the unexpected order came for us
10 move EDWARDS. Pickets were hastily
drawn IN at evening, knapsacks packed, let
,ers AUTHORIZATIONS drawn, and all the set Get
eTGs" necessary for an early morning march
performed. few hours rest, and the bugle
sounded It's morning call. A hasty breakfast,
tents struck, and the brigade were moving be-
fore Aurora had fairly risen from her s'dewy
spangled couch.''
5UvO men filing in a line of nearly mile in
length, over bills and through valleys is an I'M
posing spectacle, and migut well have been
gratifying to any Vermonter, for in those
ranks We're many of Vermont's best sons.
long march was before US, and frequent
rests were gwen to make it as easy as possible.
The men stood it well, aud night found us be-
You'd Fairfax Court House, pleasantly encamped
n q small pine grove. with our shelter tents
pitched, fires built, aud our suppers cooked
a good nights rest, and we awoke refreshed,
and in good spirits; little foot sore and with
stltened limbs 10 be sure, but still able to do
good service if necessary -
The brigade has since been employed in de-
ing duty at Centreville, being held there as a
support for the cavalry plckets beyond each
regiment going out for four days, and being
relieved in turn by the other regiments.
Last Sabbath we again changed Our camp,
moving about half mile farther on, for the
sake of beng nearer wood and water. We
are now enamped beside the woods, well pro-
tected from the winds, and altogether better
situated than we have. yet been. The boys
have been at work with hearty good will
clearing the camping ground, stockadlng their
tents and making themselves comfortable in
various ways II we are not moved soon, we
shall be so pleasantly situated that we shall be
very happy in seeing any Of our Vermont
friends here.
Gen. Baxter has already visited us, and it
seemed very natural to see him once more.
Present prospects would indicate that we
are to remain for some time, bnt Of course
we are liable to move at any moment.
Christmas has nearly passed, and strange
one it has been for many, | ween +; passed amid
scenes so different and associations so varied
w
ed on this holiday. 1t has been day Of rec
reation for US, and well improved has 1t been.
A party Of US have just returned from the
battle ground of Chantilly, where our Christ
mas has been passed. A sad thou interest
ing manner Of spending it, amidsfso much re
mlnding us both of life and death. Our object
in revlsitng it was two-fold; partly to crafty
our curiosity, and partly for the humane pur-
pose Of careing for the still uuburried dead
Having partaken Of a hasty breakfast, we
started out under the guidance of one of our
party who had already visited the ground
The weather was foggy, and, as often happens
in such cases, we lost our way. To lose one's
way. however, on such occasions, only serves
TO enIven the party, and give Zest 10 the walk !;
quietly steps, and started
anew. 1t is only three miles from camp, but
the sun pointed almost noon before We found
ourselves Ell. ering the woods, which skirt the
eastern side Of the open field where the battle
was principally fought, solitary grave, with
its small wooden head-board, marked -. Eel
lows, Louisiana Tigers, killed September 4th,
1892 was the FIRST indication that death had
been there.
As we walked on, the trees on every side
showed abundant proof that the bullets flew
thick as hail on their death dealing errands-
Emerging from the woods, the battle ground
lav before lis. A pleasant field of 20 or 30
acres, of gently swelling ground, Skirted on the
east and north by woods, with its pleasant
farm house on the south. 1t did not seem, to
look over it, as though death and destruction
had so recently been there in such horrid forms.
We were not long in discovering the traces of
the conflict. Only short distance from the
woods in a narrow gully, number Of bodies
| 1 ,,,,Jaly- thr0yy, with pofbircr hut
scant covering of EARTH which the rains had
already washed away, Loving their bleached
skeletons partially exposed. Ne gave such
burial as our means afforded and passed quick
w on. A little further on in the edge of the
woods. we found the skeleton of some poor fell
low living at the roots of an old oak tree,
wholly unburried. His accoutrements were
beside him, even to his shelter tent. His mus
ket stock had been shot away, and lay
beside him. 1t furnished the only identification
being marked ~. B. H." Alone and union
ored he died who shall answer for it? A
bountiful supply of mother earth was all we
could give HIM, and we passed on.
A line of rail fence runs through the center
of the field, and here was where our line of
battle was formed. The ground was thickly
carpeted with the bitten ends of cartridges,
showing how bravely our men stood their
ground. Further on, in a long row of cedars,
the rebels formed their line, and scattered frag-
ments of their accoutrements are thckly
strewn around.
We wandered over the field for an hour or
two, picking up here and there memento OF
the battle ground, and doing what kindly SER
vices we could for the unburled dead. We
turned homeward with more thoughtful coun-
enantes, feeling sick at heart with the sigh.
of such wars horrors. Whoever, hereat
visits the battle ground of Chantilly, will not
be shocke by such sights as we saw, trust
but can view the ground with more pleasant
feelings, and carry away with them more
pleasant thoughts. Very truly. B.