The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-21
(Our War Correspondence
a Soldiers Letter-No ID.
CAMP NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH, Va,
April 13, 1868.


that all was quiet along the lines" | don't
think it would cause any one very deep sensa-
ton of relief Yes, we are fairly surfeed with
idleness and Incidence. 10 be sure we have our
regular routine of duties-guarding, fatigue
ing, besides drills occasionally, and roll calls reg
ularly. To 20 " on fatigue" as probably every
body knows, means to 60 to u0ork. Generally it
consists of either shovelling or chopping. But
we have no rifle pits to dig, as last year, nor
breast works to throw up. We have had as yet
no Chckaho niny swamps to bridge over and
corduroy, nor acres of timber to fell but it is not
too late for all these things to happen yet. SO
far we have been prosecuting vigorously inactive
campaign, and the prospect is favorable to Its
lasting for some time to come. Of course we are
satisfied so far as idleness can satisfy. Our drills
are none too much for healthy exercise, and to
remind US that we are still in the military employ
Of Ulcle Samuel. Less of this than is given US
would have tendency to diminish the military
spirit of the troops and lead US to forget the
erence due to our paternal Uncle. Occasionally
we have a review or something OF that sort to
relieve the monotony of our duties, and make
them seem less mechanical, but even these are
losing the charm Of novelty. Crackers are get
ting scarce now grumblers are always plenty.
suppose that it would be impossible to raise an
army or regiment and leave this element out.
If it is fair weather they grumble because there
is drill, if foul they grumble because it rains.
Duties Of all kinds are especially distasteful, no
matter whether it be tedious drill or splendid
review. the =" order is full of expressions and to
can please them. They would grumbls if they
were ordered TO march through the suburbs Of
Paradise But this class of men are in very
ptable minority in this regiment-too small to be
o noticed.
don't know what may be the opinions enter
tertained in military circles in regard to the time
when and place where we shall next move. Here
in the ranks we entertain ideas of our own in re-
gard TO this, and we always fancy that we are
abou. right Certain indications will always rise
to the surface to tell of coming events, and ev-
erybodY knows how quick we Yankees are to
learn the art of guessing. When officers begin
to look good natured and their wives begin to
multiply in mp, we guess at once that an Z" i'm
mediate advance on the enemy's works " is not
b contemplated. But after all, our calculations for
: staying here may at any moment be annihilated.
We base our calculations for staying upon the
following premises
In the FIRST place, some three weeks ago we re-
esived an order allowing us to pack up our over
coats, extra blankets if we had them, and send
them to Washington to be kept for us during the
q GUNNER campaign. Believing that this order
foreshadowed an immediate onward movement Of
the army, the boys gladly ayailed themselves OF
this opportunity to save in this way every article
that could possibly be dispensed with on march,
and was worth saving, last years experience hav-
ing taught US the FOLLY of trying to carry more
than was absolutely necessary. On dress parade
orders respecting rations were read, similar TO
. those we always receive on the eve of march.
I Furoughs we're revoked, and all absentees called
in. Every day for some little time we expected
10 ,ry once more the road to Richmond,-a road
that experience has told US is an exceedingly hare
one TO travel But day succeeded day and nc
more was ordered 1t was almost dsappoint
ment. Soon, farloughs were being granted as be
6 fore, and everything pertaining to the camp
q went on as usual 1t was even reported that GU
lex .xtra clothiDg was coming back, but Of cours
this was al exagsaration, Then we we're set t
work cleaning up our camping grounds. Regu