Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-04-17
Our Irmu Correspondence.
FROM THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT.
CAMP WIDOW VGorELTE, VA !


April 4, 1868.
DEAR JOURNAL Perhaps you may have
heard Of it, but | thought i would tell you.
Day before yesterday our regiment marched
from Wolf Run Shoals to this place. reck
on the distance is about eight miles. The
roads were very muddy, and the march was
therefore hard But we made it in good time
and arrived in sufficient season to fix our
selves up very respectfully for the night
Yesterday the Colonel looked out our present
camp, and we moved on aud got fairly settled
by nightlall. The farm on which we arc lo-
Gated is beautiful one, OF rather tDds, before
war devastated it. 1t is owned by an elderly
widow, after whom our Camp was christcned
after the fashion Of military life, by our witty
Colonel. We are about one mile North from
the Occoquan river, which is nayigable up as
high as that point, and about three miles
west Of the Potomac. We can see the latter
from our camp. | am told that we are about
fourteen miles from Alexandra. Many of
the boys have been asking how far we are
from Mount Vernon, desiring to visit that
only loyal place in Virginia, if il is not too
far but as yet ! have heard no one say ear
actly how far IL is. These Nirginians never
know any thing certain. They reckon 1t
about so lar-some say six, some say eight
miles but the most definite distance that
ha, been given was told by ayoung lady near
by here. She answered that it was "about
six trots and look, and a right smart walk
beyond, ! reckon"
Our duty here is to guard The ferry across
the river at Oocoquan village, and one or two
fords above / believe lt takes about one
company per diem. We employ the rest Of
our time in drill.
We have iurly left our winter quarters,
but winter has not lelt w. To-day the wind
has been blowing gale from the north, and
It has been pcyy cold. The men have suffered
very much. Tonight the wind is undated,
and is accompanied by a fast falling snow
storm. The ground is already covered two
inches deep. Whata wild and dismal night
The "oldest nhabitant' here says this spring
is the most backward of any thing that he
ever knew.
lou needn't expect to hear from the ar
mics much MI better weather. The mud is
deep as it was in February. Our regiment
is all the force there is here. Heretofore
there has been nothing but cavalry here but
they have been raided upon 50 much and THEN
pickets captured so often that those in com.
mand thought they would send something
here that the rebels would have less obj,
and far less desire 90 Interfere with.
The 18th and lith pre- still at Wolf Run
Shoals, and Gel. Blunt has moved his Head
quarters back there ] understand, but how
true it is dos't know, that the 18th and
9Th are going to move there from Unior
/ Mills.
We have little news in the regiment -
Surgeon Nichols is yet behind in charge o.
the sick in hospital at the old camp. an
told that they viii move tomorrow. Mrs
Nichols has been with him for some days
She is a very pleasant and interesting lady
was told that when she went into the hos
pital, one poor sick fellow told her husband
that one consoling word OF cheer iron
her was worth more than all his skill Mrs
Capt. Williams Of Co. G, accompanied by an
other lady, are visiting shat company.
Major Clarke nas resigned. am told tina
/ be has an appointment in the "yoluntec
/ navy" But | must close. C..