The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-28
From the Christian Messenger.
From the Sixteenth Vermont Regiment.
UNION Mills Va,
May DIST, 1868.

DEAR nj EssENGER w arm weather has
opened upon US with vigor that reminds us
that We occupy at the present time, a different
latitude from the one to which we are accus-
toned in Vermont. Our tents have strong
attraction, for the warm kisses of tie sunbeam,
and in fact they give us no real protection
from the heat. We have been planting our
tented city with evergreens, not so much for
ornament as use, as their shade affords us
grateful protection from the heat of the sun.
This return of summer reminds US that
time is at least progressing. But we judge
that in this war, we have less reason to com.
plain of the progress of time than our nation
al foes. Time is adding to our strength, and
augmenting over facilities for subduing them,
while at the same time, every week of delay
is diminishing their resources and wasting
their strength. We do not allow ourselves to
think our time here is being wasted 10 the
government, although as yet, we have done
little by the way of killing rebels. 1t must
be conceded that the good soldier is the one
that Obsys orders. Judging this brigade by
this criterion, VIC are not to be counted as sec.
ond to any other in the service. There has
been great regard for and strict obedience
given to all orders issuing from the war de-
partment. We have occupied just the posi-
tions aud done just the work, that has been
assigned to us. We have proved ourselves
equal thus far to all the exigences ia which
we have been placed by the fortunes of war
II we continue to do this until our tenn of
service expires, we vindicate our position, as
efficient sol ders in The service of the country
The present warm weather d9veopes moth
ing as yet, unfavorabe to the health of our
regiment. In this respect we never have been
more highly favored, since we entered the SER
vice. We have had no recent deaths with US,
4nd out Of the half dozen patients, now 10 the
hospital, none are dangerously sick. We have
evidently passed the most trying ordeal, to
which new troops are here subjected by the
change in the climate, and the exposures Of
the camp. 1t evidently agrees with US to be
amply supplied with labor, and our extra du-
ties of late are not operating unfayorably to
the Sanitary condition Of the regiment.
The Infantry forces from this brigade, that
were near to the Rappahannock, have been
Withdrawn. The 10Th Regiment have now
returned to this place, and will supply their
portion Of the force, needed to keep up this
line Of pickets which will be a great relief
to US. The 18th regiment have returned as
far as Bristo Station and Manassas Junction.
where they viii! do good duty upon this line
of railroad. The enemy have recently shown
q line of infantry pickle Is upon the other side
of The river, opposite Rappahannock Station.
We have now strong cavalry force in that
section who will keep up line of pickets
upon this side of the Rappahannock and this
line of road, and will be held and run to sup
ply them with forage. .@....
We are still having lessons in painful expe.
rience, demonstrating the evil of having real
sympathizers within our lines Recently the
teams and teamsters, of tho 18th Regiment
were bounced upon by small party OF guer.
illas, and the men and horses taken. We saw
the men here, as they were returning, after hav
ing been paroled. The prisoners were Segt