Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-04-10
Our Armu Correspondence.
PROM me r1FrEENTH REolMENr
FArRFAx STATION, Va, !


giving you few thoughts and facts as they
occur, and as they appear to soldier. AL
though a soldier is supposed TO have no feel
ings, scarcely a soul, and above everything
else no word or voice in any counsel, yet be
cannot always help thinking, and perhaps those
thoughts are not aiioays what they should be.
For instance, when we read in home papers
that the Second Vermont Brigade has been
lying idle all winter that we have been a
useless expense TO the Government; that, for
all the good we have done here, we might as
well have been treading snow on the hill-sides
Of Vermont; that We have cast slur and a
blot upon the fair fame that the Green Noun
tain Boys have heretofore so honorably won
when we read such frothing and fault-fnd-
ing words, the mildest thought that occurs to
us is that we, on our journey home, at the
end Of the nine months, may meet these same
persons, on their ,oay out to fill our places for
three years, or during the war
1t is true we have had no opportunity as
yet Of trying our courage in an engagement
with the enemy; but fighting is but very
small portion Of a soldiers duties in this war,
and perhaps have not had an opportunity
for judging ! think there are other situ-
atoms in which a soldier may be placed that
are full as trying to his iortitude and courage
as marching, with thousands Of others in his
front and rear, on to CORY battlefield. A
lonely sentinel, pacing his weary beat-the
safety of an army is depending upon his Wig
ilnnce The willy foe is lowering near intent
upon taking his life,--he knows not how soon
the leaden messenger may speed its way to
his heart yet he Ainches not nor falters-
the fate OF nation is at stake. Our boys
have been in that situation, and they have
never been found wanting. Our beloved
Colonel has been around the picket line" at
midnight, and admonished us to remain firm,
and given us instructions in case of an attack.
But the papers complain that we have done
nothing. We staid in Camp Vermont about
five weeks. Almost every day there was de-
tailed from every company in the brigade
from ten to twenty men to work on forts in
that vicinity. The remainder had the guard
duty to perform, and the other work around
csmp-building tracks for winter quarters,
keeping the ground clean, &c, &c. In the
meantime three regiments, the 18th, l4th and
18th, went to Union Mills, a distance of thir-
ty miles, to do picket for few days on the
banks of that famous stream, Bull Run.
At Fairfax Court House we did not have
much fatigue duty to perform, but they kept
us drilling most of the time. Had few
days picketing at Centreville, and at this place
we have had the least to do Of any place
since we came from home. We have built a
few miles of corduroy roads. dug few miles
Of rife pits, and laid still the remainder OF
the time that it did not take to bring our
wood on our backs, nearly half mile. am
well aware that the work we have accom-
plished here does not seem to count much in
putting down the rebellion, especially to an
unobservant eye; and there are those at the
North who are willing, and even anxious, to
gather up everything with which to make cap
ital against the Administration and the great
cause of American freedom, | will not at
tempt to deny but there are many things done
that would be better undone, and nice versa
Perhaps our brigade might have been put to
better use in some other position. Is it not
necessary to keep sufficient force near
Washington to prevent marauders from COM
hitting their depredat ions in its yicinityi If
it is an easier position than the front, are not
our friends willing that we should have the
place.
You are aware, OF course, of the Tesigna-
ton of our Captain, Carpenter of Mortified,
and the promotion of Lieutenant Carpenter
of Brookfeld to fill the vacancy. He makes
a very good officer.
Our Company, when it left Randolph num-
bored eighty-iOur men. We only draw ra
tions now for about sixty-lour, and yet W,
have lost only two by death. Other compa-
MES have dwindled down more than this. II
seems strange to one not initiated into tn,
mystery where they have gone. Indeed,
can hardly tell myself. We left one in Brat
tleboro, and have sent two there since. Their
are four in the hospital here; two have beci
detailed as Brigade Blacksmiths one ha
Joined the Brigade Band; one for Adjutsnt'
clerk. one for his hostler; two for nurses il
the hospital; one was acting as guard 70
Gen. Stoughton, and was taken prisoner a
the time the old General was, and thus the.
are used up.
That was bold attempt-the taking
zen; o'ough'on-ou' mere is no one TO oiam
but himself. ii he saw NJ 10 make ms head
quarters three or Tour miles away from nj
brigade OF course ne could expect no supper
rom them IN case OF rad Iee the one !
whicn ne was carried on ouli we canno
ou'i 'eei ashamed oil ourselves ana OF MIN
at home cannot know the circumstances
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