Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-09-03

From the Ninth Regiment.
CAMP 9rH VERMONT Vols,

directly from those IN the army, | propose
to chronicle the situation and surround
ings of that regiment of our State troops,
which now occupies the defenees of York
town; that historic spot where the contin-
ued exertions of the revolutionary fathers
eliminated in victory over British
strength, and forced obstinate old John
Bull TO acknowledge the majority of
Young Jonathan.
Imagine gentle river full mile IN
width, upon whose placid bosom the navy
of the world might anchor, its fertile
banks clothed with the wild verdure of a
neglected sol and brazen looking war-dogs
looking threateningly down from the arti-
fetal bluffs of either shore, and YOU have
a general idea of York River in the region
of Yorktown and Gloucester. Nothing
out of the ordinary inactivity of desert
ed country attracts your attention as you
glide swiftly up the York, till the battle
ments Of the forts raise their solemn heads
to view and as you approach the wharf
you are struck with the dreary, desolate
appearance of everything; the sentinel as
he PAGES his weary beat upon the qnay
carries on his visage the same look OF IN
dolent desolation which characterizes every
other aspect. The stern Brigadier COM
handing the post, the dashing young Pro-
vost Marshal, and his still more dashing
Clerk, and all the array of Aids and Act
ing Assistants who surround Headquar-
tiers, assert by their appearance and mo-
tons that they are spelling for something
to do. Approach the barracks of the SOL
diers and all is quiet; the clearly swept
streets and white-washed walls, tell that
the police Sergeants have done their duty,
but not soldier is to be seen engaged in
any of those athletic sports that occupied
his leisure time when among the green
hills of his native State.
The Ninth are located within the FORTH
cations,sat the extreme southern part, and
by far the most healthy position. The
quarters of its gallant young Colonel
stand upon prominent bluff overlooking
the river, and much the most pleasant
spot inside the works. The "Field and
Each afternoon, as the sun sinks in the
west, Col. Barney parades the regiment
for battalion drill that Is, what Of the reg
iment don't get their names crossed upon
the Sick Report, and for an hour the bat
talon movements of Casey are executed
with the precision of old soldiers.
During the last week, companies 3 and
X have been trying their skill in heavy
artillery tactics, and we begin to feel that
were an enemy to appear, the 30pound
parrots of Fort Yorktown would play ter
rible havoc on his ranks but it is gener-
ally understood here that the artillery il
in charge of men who knowing their duty
will perform it, and as our enemy is Wig,
ient and wary enough not to attack a po-
sition until he is posted on its detences, We
have no prospect of being asked to tram
heavy guns upon an advancing foe.
We have been expecting for several
weeks past that every boat would bring
us reinforcements from home, and acting
upon this anticipation, Maj, Jarvis, Capt
Kelley and Lieut.. Bascom were dispatched
to Vermont over one mouth ago, to escor
that part of the proceeds of the draft t.
the Ninth, which might be assigned to US
but as week after week wears away and
we receive no tidings from our expected
accessions, we begin to think that the
draft does not amount to much as far 81
Staff have their quarters arranged witt
more regard to comfort and ease than t.
"Regulations," while the cline" hav
pitched their tents according to the pre-
scribed rules.
| The health of the regiment not tn
best, the morning reports showing one
third the enlisted men as unfit for duty
The diseases prevalent are thoss commo
to this climate, particularly that unhapp,
complaint, "fever and ague." The Sur
geon, Dr. Carpenter, with his twp enter
prising assistants, Drs. Goss and Vincent
are incessant in their exertions to arres
the progress of disease, and though Their
are many sick, still all feel that the ful
power of medical skill is exhausted i
their behalf. The mortality Of the regi
ment is low, as the sickness is not unit
death. 1t is hoped that as Autumn pro
crosses and the Fall rains appeal the san
itary condition of the troops will improve
and that Gen. Wistar, Or some other pow
er behind the throne will give u.s. some
thing to do to prevent the present. stag
nation from assuming chronic proper
tons.
| Col. Ripley being at Fortress Monroe
as one of the Commission for the examina
ton of officers in this Department, tn
command of the regiment devolves upor
Lieut. COL Barney, as noble and generou
an officer as ever left the comforts oS hom
to serve his country upon the tented field
replenishing the thinned ranks of the arm,
are concerned, and what we regre3 still
more, there appears no prospect of he re
turn of the officers and men we sent t,
escort the Conscripts here. We woulC
rejoice to see the ranks of the Ninth fillet
to their original numbers, but if oter de
partments need the men more than We do
send them there, and return to US tie de
tail we sent away and we will be satis
fed.
War news are dearth. Nothing : be
ing done in the departments of Vilglni
and North Carolina, and nothing is . b
expected here at present. Gilmore'sE vet
Grams are busily at work in Charleston
harbor and on Morris Island e1Iecta
tions are high that the fate of Plask