Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-22
FROM THE ARMY or THE POTOMAC.

MINI 4 II T. ANl VT 4 II II I vi ONA ACs
ARMY OF PoTOMAC, May IS, 1868. .
Dear Watchmaa: write from beautiful
encampment. Il is evening and the hillside
is bright with the light of the watchlul ones
who are going from tent to tent mInistedng
once more, before si8ep, TO the wounded
soldiers Our friends at the north cannot
conceive the suffering our brave men are en-
during. The sun pours his fierce ray, upon
these yellow Nirginian hills with unabAted
fervor, and we're it not for the cool breezes
which occasionally sweep along, the horrors
Of tent hospital life would be much increas-
ed
The rebellion has lasted longer than l
thought it could had reason to think thus
after seeing our wounded men, and noted in
hospitals at Baltimore, Washington and along
the line, the better courage, the Christian for
titude they always manifest, even under the
most painful circumstances. Ny life is with
the sick and wounded soldier Would
could condense into one letter all that | We
seen which is sweet, beautiful and immortal
in the soldiers Of our Union army. Though
the work is wearying, God gives new strength
to the earnest, patient toiler in the floods OF
inspiration which flow back. repenishing the
sources of all benifcent action. Thus God
keeps the workers in the field. The friend Of
the soldier needs not to be long with him to
feel the fire Of the true, great soul beating in
the breast Of the American soldiery. 1t burns
steadily and fuses all common interests into
one. have yet to see the soldier who COM
plains Of his lot
An incident happened scarcely a week since
which touched my heart was at Aqua
Creek. Learning some Of the wounded %
Vermont were TO be sent up by transports &c
Washington, determined to do something
for them They were hungry and they were
/ fed they were thirsty and coffee was held to
their lips. O, my Vermont friends, father.
and mothers, could YOU but have seen then
stretched out upon straw in gangways, side
/ by side, you would emulate their courage, and
more ardent prayers would 60 up to God for
/ their safety and the success OF the cause iol
which they bleed
Only two others were there assisting. The
night was dark, the wind blew and the wave,
went surgng by. They moved slowly IGi
God ,gas there This made me happy. len
mine to hold in high esteem and grateful mem
omy three brothers who have served Ton,
unto death in the battles Of The Union
This thought kept me strong through all tn,
long night watches. | could not sleep, bu
found it pleasant to listen TO the account o
the fight, of the charge, and how the brave
Bennett fell just as the heights were our,
| shall never forget that night. Two gooC
souls, Dr. Claiming and a son of the cons u
of Switzerland were there, unweared in the
efforts. Boys Of tina I'd Vermont. let US no
forget that night. New-Jerseymen al d other
were with you-hdd fought and fallen at YOU
side Ye were one bundled and twenty-sever
in all and know, dear Vermont, your som
complained not, but bore all without a muir
muir, in spirit of
-" genuine, solid, old eutonic pluck
was obliged to part with you aud 60 bach
to "the 'front.' 1t was with reluctance. 49,
Wherever you are keep up brave heart beat
ing We will not forget you. Trusting il
God lot us each to his duty, striving for tan
gibe results. Then we can wait the dawnin.
of peaceful happy days with ashopefnl spirit
Ever yours, EARNEST.