The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-09

and the trees of the wood clapping their hands
for Joy. In such place songs of praise from hu,
man hearts and lips, seem peculiarly appropriate,
and the teachings of great natures holy writ,
seem to give fresh testimony and force to what he
has revealed to us in the inspired word. whole
regiment of men, quietly and attentively listening
to the word Of God, makes an interesting and
impressive congregation. We do not wonder
in other days of their ministry to deliver sermons
by reading them from manuscripts, here dispense
with the lettering process of reading the sermon
and preach to those dying men as the occasion
and the Spirit of inspiration may seem to dictate.
These public exercises are of necessity brief, not
merely from the want of time, but the circum-
stances under which they are held. Here the
minister and people attend service with their
heads covered, not from undue reverence for sa-
cred things, nor from an over partality for the
forms of Quaker worship, but to prevent an un-
due exposure Of health. We are learning" that
man needs but little here" Those who live in
wealth, and vainly seek to crafty the artificial
wants til at society multiples and fosters, would
be surprised to learn how lille it requires to
meet the actual necessities Of life Here we are
houseless and homeless, no bed of down on which
to repose, no Iuxures to regale the palate, and
yet how soundly we sleep, how keenly we relish
the coarse st food, and how defantly we can en-
dure storm, sheltered by the narrow canvas that
covers US How much there is in habit, and es-
pecially of comfort in the good lesson learned by
the great Apostle that having food and raiment
to be Herewith content.
Since leaving Camp Vermont, we have been
more thar usually short of appropriate reading
to meet the wants of orr our regiment AS
had an opportunity of getting to Washington, we
embraced the privilege of picking up what we
could there procure, for this purpose. Our stool,
consisted mainly Of tracts and papers Some of
the papers were much past date, but never the
less contained valuable reading. Being thus far
nished we started out with our arms full, design.
ing to supply certain tier of tents, but We were
discovered, and the men made such rush to us,
~that We were literally surrounded and obliged to
surrender. At the same time many hands were
extended, eager for the favor of something to read
We told them that some Of our papers were cut
of date, out they replied no matter, any thing
to read" The last paper was soon taken and a
large number followed US to our tent to make
sure of a supply there. We wish some of our
friends n Vermont could have witnessed the scene
and we conjecture they would cheerfuly aid US in
supplying this obvious want of camp life We
have Just sent to New York for five dollars worth
of tracts and papers, but this will afford US but a
small supply among so many.
Daring the past week, our camp has occasion
ally been in state of excitement, which we sup
pose often attends the gathering storm Of battle.
On Saturday we heard heavy and constant firing,
indicating that battle was in progress not many
miles from us, which we have since learned was
in the section of Dumfres Orders came to
us 10 be in readiness to march at moments no.
tice. This order was finally couutermanded. On
Sabbath evening similar orders came, which were
followed by one for the regiment to march, and
they left the encampmenti in light marching orders
and proceeded to Fairfax Station. A large force
of rebels had been seen in the section of the o.
coquan, making in this direction. Our. stores at
the Station and Court House were pat in posi-
ton to be destroyed, if they could not be held.
Other regiments of the brigade were called out
in the section of the Court House. Camp rumors
of all sorts had rapid circulation. Such as that