Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-10-23
From the Sixth Regiment.
CAMP NEAR CULPEPPER, Va, !
September 20, 1868. (

Friend Earle,-Last evening | re-
ceiyed copy of the ever welcome Stan
dard and among other documents OF in
terest noticed letter from a conscript
on Long Island to his wife in Vermont,
and had ii not been headed as it was ]
would have very readily known that the
writer was drafted man from the fact
that never heard volunteer that has
been in the field two years take on so
bitterly about their fare and treatment as
did the above named-I will not say
gentleman-for l do not think that any
gentleman would write letter in That
tone at all. Even if he spoke the truth.
as he strongly asserts that he did, it would
have been more becoming 10 him as
soldier of the United State not to have
spoken it, and much more to have writ
ten such agreeable news to his wife at
home who who viii think that her poor
unfortunate hu,s band, as be is pleased to
term himself, is being made martyr Of,
and so abused by his superior officers
1t shows very plainly that he is man
that has hung back until forced into it.
Not thinking enough Of his government
and the privileges Of all free institutions
to volunteer his services to maintain and
support what he has heretofore enjoyed
at the expense of others, and now is not
willing to sacrifice anything at all that he
may still continue to enjoy the same great
blessing, and that otheps too may have
the same privilege. He is a man that
thinks only of his own comfort and even
wants that at the expense of others
Among other chickering's Of his he sees fit
to complain most bitterly of his rations,
such as bread, soup and meat, or as be
terms it, salt horse. He gets so enthus-
astic or romantic, or something else, that
he bursts right into poetry to express his
disgust for army ratons. The poetry
was very we'll fixed over only there were
two or three bad joys in the metre. Mr..
]. B. Webster should lave been in Nc
Clellan's retreat before Richmond, and
been unfortunate enough to have been
taken prisoner and lived with jeff. six
weeks as | aud some others did and then
see if he would complain Of Uncle Sans
rations. While we we're there we lived
on half rations Of bread, no meat, only
every other day we got small piece of
fresh meat boiled up without salt and
very poor beef at that. And the Con-
iederate soldiers that guarded us lived on
the same fare and without complaining
too, thus showing that they were true
soldiers and did not expect all the refined
luxuries that j. b. w. seemed put out
because be did not get and further he
spoke of the boat that run daily to Bos-
ton, and he did not have the privilege Of
going when he saw fit. 1t is certainly
too bad. He speaks too of his friends
not being allowed to visit him; if he runs
on in the way he has commenced he will
not have many that will want to, that is,
If they all look upon such whining in
soldier as do. / have talked with 9TH
er men who were there and they tell no
such heart rending tales or cruelties, but
look upon the thing in a common sense
view and expect to put up with soldiers
fare and that cheerfully. and by SO doing
will secure for themselves many friends
in the old soldiers, and everything viii
pass pleasantly in camp and drafted
man will be just as good as a volunteer
as long as he behaves as we'll he will be
enc of the boys and no mistake.
He says in conclusion, "as we 90 march
ing on you shall hear more from your
unfortunate husband" and in my conclu
sion l would say to the unfortunate wife
that hope that ere her husband breaks
out again he will have very materially
changed his mind and tone of writing,
and l feel assured he will before he has
been long in the service.
Hoping that no one will take any Of
fence at what l have written, subscribe
myself as ever, your humble servant,
o. t. STILES.