Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-30

had friends in the Soulh-wbich they promised
to forward them, and without doubt they will do
as they have agreed. Of course this intercourse
was contrary to orders, but 80 long as we were
not caught in it BY any one whom it might con-
cern to enforce penalty, we considered our
selves all right. One fellow had a letter that a
colonel wished him to get across and very likely
be had but few, if any, conscientious scruples in
the matter Of breaking orders when his sirs were
winked at and upheld by an officer Of that rank.
One rebel sent letter to his parents in Connect-
cut. lie said he would most gladly leave the
rebel army and 60 home, but he had wife and
one child inside the rebel lines that hs did not
wish to leave to the tender mercies OF such enc.
mes as would surround them if he deserted the
rebel cause. Several fellows did swim across the
river aud give themselves up. A rebel Lieut..
and 40 men gave themselves up on the other side
of the Rippahannoek last Wednesday. Two
other fellows came down to the river TO swim
across for the same purpose, but our picket this
side, through sheer tmidity, refused them the
privilege They went up the river and surren-
lered to the pickets on that side. Friday the
rebels maintained frigid silence. They were
forbidden the least intercourse on account Of these
deseriions No exchanges could be made unless
they were made very slyly. They regretted the
prohibition as we'll as we, and prohlbly more. j
he rank and file OF each army could have theil
way they would soon manage some way to naugu
rate peace. But the war is on our hands and i
must be fought out to the bitter end. A few
bad men have conspired to destroy our Govern
ment and build another on its ruins, thus drawlni
thousands Of others into the vortex Of rebellion
and, for the iniquity Of these comparatively few
millions who have 90 personal feelings Of animos
lity, rust meet in arms and in cold blood Sl'
> each other. A day of fearful retibution mus
,wai those ere long, out while they live the mis-
1 chief goes on. Meantime let Satan look out 70
d his laures.
:, Saturday night We received orders to pae' u
e and be ready to march. Just after dark tie o.
e der to march came. We had just been yisiIe
d by plentiful shower which gave US eonsiderab
! more rain than was absolutely necessary to 10
% the dust In fact in less than thirty minutes y
n roads, which had been filled with fae dist, an
2, lay ike heap Of ashes oil along the way, vel
,e converted into a slippery bed Of mortar Had
,e not been for the difficulty which men perfectly S
to Der found in keeping their feet under them, II
:. rain would have been considered decided a
y vantage. As it was, marching OF a dark nlgl
ID through woods, in snake Ike path where sml
/, slumps in,rude everywhere and deep ruts a
n. found on every hand, sprinkling Of dust, thin
rs would have been preferable to this slippery mu
+. However. we made the best Of it We could, al
he when some unlucky fellow fell heAdlong into +
., mud, gun, knapsack and all, we considered it
ne rich Joke, and, immensely aggrawtng as ii mig
N be to the victim, it was lively sport for the re
a Quite number threw down their arms Il
cd night though not SO much for lack Of patriots
ho as for lack Of cohesion under their feet. Beft
M, morning we reached the railroad near Broo
In, Station, where we remained till Sunday mig
IN. Troops, baggage wagons, ambuanees and srlii
we're constantly passing all day. Near by
W corps hospital was cleared out and much Of
;.h stuff burnt. Ii was the same heart-slcken
j,y sight that we have seen so often before. Mus
nod always be so ? At commissary es,ablishm
our the boys got quantity Of potatoes, lHdAn m
oh, sugar, dried apple and other stuff out OF VIII
vn, we had good supper, and what we preferred
ay take along with US, instead Of hard tack
mr. pork. The commssary sergeant said he ha'
tide number Of good overcoaIs that were to be
ors which be said we we're welcome to appropriai
ans we wished. They were behind certain te
bins but | saw nothing there but pile of collins,
ov.. concluded the sergeant must be only joking.
III Ii was after dark before we started on
an march again. The boys we're not at all afe
oOa- by the peril :" the situ,ton' was apparently
They GOT up a spirited battle on their own h'
anu Just as the heat Of day was passing of, thro'
r. socks, With the toes nlleu Win uu', ior 'ue o"
isn' and one needed the agility Of cat to keep
q u = of the fast flying missiles. Advantages were
Dur idly gained and lost on either side. Charges
oe, boldly made and boldly repulsed. Victory a
manu- mated from side to side bu. capriciousy rel
hp'' to ciown either. Men we're literally kno
A'' down, but with cheer they jumped to their
arc again and pitched into the melee with more
u'eu ,husasm than before. 1t was exciting sport.
0i u General and his officers enjoyed IT lmmensel.
cent spectator from distance, hearing the chez
:, and seeing the dust we kicked up,-for the
w. er hardly reached to here,-misht have the
a battle wss actually in progress.
We we're on the road all that night, bu