Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-15
FROM THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

HEADQUARTERS LIST VERMONT ARTttIHRy
FoRr SIoctM, D. G., May 2 1868.
Mr.. EDITOR: The somewhat doubted NOV
ability Of the eleventh regiment having been
practically demonstrated, improve the pres
ent opportunity, after getting settled again in
Old Quarters to inform the readers of
your paper of the fact. On the night of the
lth ult. orders we've received to be in read-
ness to march-with cooked rations--on the
18th, consequently the large amount of pro-
porty which naturally accumulates where
regiment has been long time in our place.
was rapidly disposed of in various ways, and |
all baggage and knapsacks properly reduced |
in size and weight 10 expectation that our
garrison duty was at an end, and that VIC were
now actually lin for '8ctive" service. Early
on Monday morning the 18TH the marching
orders" having been properly disposed OF,
we stood in readiness to receive the orders to
march
To a regiment accustomed to marches and
movements, an order to march is quite a COM
mon place affair, nut to US who had scarcely
before moved from sight of our original camp
ing ground, it was quite a novelty, and the
prospect Of speedy change from the dull
monotony of our usual duties, to something
more active and exciting, made the men labor
with zeal they are quite unaccustomed to,
in making proper preparation for the autici-
pated march,
As before stated, Monday morning came,
but with it did not come the expected orders
to march; and so in regard to the succeed
ing days of the week, until we had come to
the conclusion that were really stationed
for life, and furthermore that we did not quite
so much care to be routed at present; for in
the meantime we had learned that our desti-
nation, If moved, would be Washington, and
our duty that of patrol guerd,-a duty not
at all suited to the tastes of the soldiers who
are acquainted with it.
So upon learning what was in store for us
the general desire for active service, which
prevailed to such an alarming extent a few
days before, suddenly collapsed, and the men
at once came to the conclusion that moving
would Mt favor our situation or comfort much
and that we were quite as near the city now
as we cared to be.
The week passing and no orders being re-
ceived, we had begun to Aatter ourselves that
we would not be obliged to go, when on the
morning OF the goth before daylight we learn.
ed how futile and Aeeting were all the cacu
lations and expectations Of the soldier fol-
during the night orders had been received tC
march to Washington with three days cooked
rations. As is always the case with oul ex
cellent Colonel. the order was quickly re
sponded to, and before noon the detachment,
from the different posts were got together
and the regiment took up their line OF march
but the journey proved short one, for we
only marched about four miles and halted al
place called Clifburn Barracks, near 2ls'
street on the north side Of the city. Their,
were already stationed at this place ffteer
companies of infantry doing patrol duty-al
nine months men.
We remained at this post without doine
any duty except company and battalion drill,
until the third day after our arrival, when W.
gladly hailed the order TO " fall in with
knapsscks on and march to our respectiy,
posts or forts, where we all arri, ed safely tn,
same evening, and not little glad to return
10 our old quarters, after two nights expert
ence in such dirty and filthy place as W,
had left. Since which time the Boys hay
expressed themselves perfectly satisfied will
their experience in what they are pleased t,
call "going to the jorDard", and hardl,
think we shall be likely soon to hear any com
planning about doing so much guard and pick
ct duty.
see by the last journal that your reader
are already Informed Of the measures to re
cruit the regiment to its proper number 70
artillery service. but noticed that the nam
of Lieut.. ID. G. Spaford was enormously in
serted in place Of Lieut. D. j. Stafford as on
of the principal recruiting officers
About a week since we were greeted wit
sight of paymaster who wasn't out
funds" aud gladly received four months pa!
We are now paid to the lst OF March, aud
is thought We will now be paid regularly ev'
yy two months.
On she evening Of Monday the 4lh ms
the officers Of the 18Th regiment presented Co
Warner with an elegant sword. which WI
manufactured expressly for the occasion, at
cost of more shan $500.
The presentation took place At Fort ST
vens formerly Port MassaehusettsJ Lieu