Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-07-24

, wild by the wsy-sidc, which were covered
| with luscious fruit.
All through the long day, under hot sun,
We moved forward slowly, for our teams were
heavily laden, and the hills numerous and
steep.
| no longer questioned the beauty Of the
landscape in the South-well may the people
love and sing my Maryland" The fields
we're white unto the harvest, and | noticed
the slaves at every plantation we're grinding
their harvesting implements or mendng their
wagons.
We passed through a section inhabited by
secession sympsthizers, without being modest
cd, and reached Frederick city, distant fifty
two miles from Baltimore, Thursday evening,
after having been in the saddle twenty-one
hours, Frederick was full Of moving troops,
and was glad to rest near the wagons on
my blanket. BE assured slept sweety.-
We learned Meade's headquarters were in the
vicinity Of South Mountain, and | determined
to move nearer to the front" Our horses
endured the heat and long journey remarka.
bly, we'll.
After leaving Frederick the hills become
higher, the scenery more varied and the hor-
lion wider. Away to the northwest we see
hht eIbA ulhlt ultiHbIhult last year OOuLn
Mountain-Antietam. Further on, and I'M
dlmmed, for no mist fingers in the air, the
Blue Ridge ahuts in the view. Our train,
with the spangled banners flying, moves slow
lywhie push on by camps and army wagons,
by stragglers, and officers, and squads of
cavalry, to secure place for our supplies,-
to learn the position Of our forces, and de-
termine what may possibly be our coming
contest, and its location. Meade's headquart-
ers were on the west side Of the mountain. -
and a large force was eucamped near and
beyond him. Lee was at Funkstown, eight
miles distant, with large portion Of his
forces at Williamsport along the river. |
pushed on further, after seeing Gems. Meade
and Humphreys, reaching Boonsboro', seven
miles beyond Meade's headquarters, at three
o'clock, Friday afternoon. Here our stores
were unloaded. la the morning Gen. Meade
said he should move his headquarters in an
hour. lie is man Of marked character and
energy, and means what he says. On my re-
turn ] saw large portion Of his forces ad-
vancing himself and staff and Gen. Pleasant
son and staff at the head. | reached an emf
nence, and looked back 1t was a magnificent
sight; for miles the dust rose from the col
umn Of troops. First a small brigade Of cav
airy then following closely 200 pieces of
heavy artllery--thon the ammunition and
supply trains, while there stood by the road
tidtalluf Pleasanton's force waiting for their
place in the corps d'drmee.
The sound was dull, chiefly Of rafting
wheels and the clatter of cavalry swords
Everything was in perfect order. The men
wore that determined air, quite unlike bois-
trous enthusiasm. which, to an observant
mind. was the sure indication of victory
They had confidence in their leader. The
men were comparatively fresh, had been we'll
fed and they were ready for the foe
Since the recent defeat and rout Of Lee at
Gettysburg he has been vacillatng and eau
tious in his movements. There is Just a
shadow Of fear that he will give us the slip,
cross the Potomac at falling Waters below
Williamsport on pontoon bridges which he is
reported to have received from Martnsburg
We may rest assured that everything will be
done that can be to insure his utter destruc-
ton.
moved back towards Frederick with dis
patches.-l was fortunate enough to get an
excellent supper at a quarter masters tent Of
the eleventh corps The road was lined with
quarter-masters trains. | met two hardy
boys Of the sixth corps-l knew we Il mean
Vermont,) had many soldiers in that corps.
ventnred the question. They came from
Newbury. They were good soldiers, had
been left at Gettysburg, and were on their
way to find their comrades. We had quite
chat by the roadside.
1t WAS ten o'clock at night when reached
Frederick, and so tired could hardly get out
of my saddle. But nights rest neutralized
the WEAKNESS. Next day Saturday. took
the cars for Baltimore. Sunday noon reached
Washington-having ridden 100 miles by
saddle and $50 by rail in four days. The
journey well repaid the exerrion and cost
Seeing the army of the Potomac almost
quickened the old longing would | we're
soldier. The zeal summer days are here -
Washington has had an addition to its street
sPrinkling corps and the city is quite free
from dust EARNEST