Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-09
Our armp Correspondence.
FROM THE SIXTH REGIMENT.
CAMP NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH,
Virginia, Dec. 30, 1862

Virginia, Dec. 30, 1862
Mn. EprroR-Sir IL have remained ST.
lent so long that you will have bought before
now that "silence is the better part Of dis
erection :" but the eff repeated visits OF your
ever welcome Daily, remind me that | should
attempt something Of interest to your many
readers that have friends and relatives in this
grand army. First | will say, cannot tell
you how much we all prize your paper, It is
read and re-read throughout the whole com
pany till it is entirely wore out Secluded
as we are from the great world, we crave
anything Of interest from it especially that
acquired through the medium Of letters OF
papers. II the friends OF soldiers would do
them kindness, they could do no greater
for the money, than to pay for good State
paper.
You are undoubtedly apprized Of our oper-
atoms during the last few weeks. Our reg
iment was not directly engaged at the battle
Of Fredericksburg, but part of the time, Il
was under artillery fire. With regard to the
ItNIpoNlHE VI Aulnh ~ Hhu nut Ant
slightest tendency toward demoralizing the
army; tho troops. so far as | am acquainted,
were in better condition for active survice. -
Surely no dissatisfaction exists in our brigade
We are now situated some three miles
from the Rappahsnnock, directly in rear Of
the place of crossing of the left grand divis-
ion. The men are quite busy preparing our
shelter tents TO secure greater comfort and
convenience the way Of fixing them up is to
build regular log house G by IL, about 2 9
feet high, then use the tent. for roofing
Portable. | would not be surprised, nor
would We be greatly disappointed if we were
ordered to leave here before many days. The
fact is we have made up our minds that We
have about so much fighting to do in Virginia
and the quicker it is done the sooner we shall
get home, but by no means do we wish Ia
rush on blindly, nor do we think Gen. Burn.
side will thus lead us TO battle. do not
thing it discredit that we failed at Fred
oricksburg nor am any more ready to seek
dishonorable terms of peace. A sort of IA
tai delusion is gaining ciedanco among the
soldiers, that some bow or other this thing
is about to be settled otherwise than by
courageous persistent fighting, though no
ground exists for such a feeling other than
the recent humbugs of Dr. Barney and Green
and the engineering of the Wood democrats
OF New York. l hope the loyal people of
the north will not listen to any terms of
peace till the rebels are fairly whipped out, it
will be time enough then to talk of the terms
OF settlement.
Col. Lord left us few days ago; his rosig-
nation having boon accepted and he honorably
discharged the service. Undoubtedly Col.
Tuttle will soon wear the Eagle-he has al
ready commanded the regiment more than any
other officer, and has always been liked
With regard to the Majorship that will DO
vacant should Maj. Barney be promoted 1t.
Col, it is hard to say what Captain will get
it. 1t of right belongs to Capt. Hutchinson
of Company B. He is popular officer, a
graduate of Norwich University, and hope
he will secure the position.
The health of tho Regiment remains good ;
both recruits and old soldiers stand the hard.
ships well much better than at any former
period when so much marching has been per-
formed \ few have jaundicc, and six OF
eight are sick at the Regimenta Hospital
Morris Divoll, Company q, of 'ropsham, died
the 9th of typhoid fever. Corporal Alder
Batcheldcr, Co. B, also of Topsham, died
at Mount Pleasant Hospital, Washington, OF
the 5th inst. We have many old soldiers al
the General Hospitals in Washington ant
Philadelphia, many that have been gou,
four or five months; those that are able tC
rejoin their regiments should do so and 9th
ers be discharged. This "playing off, i,
disgraccful, not to speak reproachfully o.
those that are really sick.
The weather is mild and fine, notwith.
standing we have had some very severe wealth.
er this month. 1t seems quite remarkable
how the rains hold off
Suffers stores are scarce, but they don't
forget to charge enormous prices for wha
they do bring. Butter rs cents per pound
cheese so cents per pound, tobacco 81 so PEI
pound. A few apples have been bought an,
sold for and 10 cents apiece.
The families in this vicinity are almost des
titute Of even corn meal. | can hardly SCI
how they will live three months longer with
out the aid Of Government. Ms.
FROM THE EIGHTH REGIMENT.
From private letter received here iron
oba conuaefed NTH A. MaI;a.I