Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-04-28
From the Thirteenth Vermont

Apru TO- 1900.
/ EDITOR FREEMAN The Thirteenth have
again moved camp. We came to this place,
which is situated tome seven or eight miles
down the Occoquan from the shoals and near Oc
coquan village, on The second inst. think the
boys never received marching orders with more
pleasure We have been cooped up between
woods and hills for nearly three months, having
little opportunity to drill, and good chance to
dir and picket in storms and il was not strange
that the boys Jumped ia,o their harnesses and
filed into line with aacrity, when We got orders
to march. We made toIerably quick march
although the knapsacks were heavily loaded, many
having two blankets. Our tents Immediately
followed Us, and we were all snugIy encamped
and hunks built before night. Our present camp
is a pleasant one. In our rear is scattering
growth Of small scrub pines that afford partial
shade for The horses and our front looks towards
broad Level fields, which make beautiful parade
ground. The camp is named in honor Of a fat,
genial, loyal old Italian who owns the land aud
who comes Gu fine day to see US drill, and who
tells Us that We look, in our Lincoln blue "
ike tue soldiers be has seen in Naples.
Our picket duty is not very heavy, and COM
pany and battery drills are again IN vogue. The
regiment is fast picking up what it had forgotten
by not drilling, and coming back to It's paImy days
on drill when We were at the Court House and
bad General
The country here and below here to the Po.
tomac, is more cleared and level and a much bet.
ter farming country than We have left behind Us.
The Occoquan, from some three miles below here,
to the Potomac, spreads out into a broad, besut-
ful bay, at present the abode Of numerous fisher
men from Alexandra, who have passes and pay
license. Our scouts, under the direction Of our
ever yigjlant Colonel, lave thoroughly explored
the river and bay 10 he Potomac, ana have pick
ed up several boats upon either side, nicely hid
den in the grass, and which may have served in
their day to carry rebel mail beyond our lines,
Sunday night we had orders to procure seven
days ra,ious, three to be cooked, and to be in
readiness to march the next morning with shelter
tents, Qhe others to be leii) butwe got no orders
to start. Monday We got orders to turn over 10
the Government our Aland wal.tents, with the
exception Of three vau-ien TO a regiment, for
the field and staff officers. This order has not
yet been complied WITH whether from Ia lack Of
teams to transport them to the Station, or a
lack Of shslter-ieuts for the regiment now on hand,
| a unable TO say. Several loads Of extra clothing,
oyereoa,,, knapsacks etc, were sent Yesterday to
the Station, to be carried to store houses in Alex
andriA or Washington, SO you see We are light
ening our loads and stripping for the active opera
tous Of summer campaign. Last night, cold
rainy one by the way, and more of the same sort
to-day only more SO, a regiment Of cavalry, the
7th Michigan, came from the Court House and
have encamped not far from US They report
Stuart in front, and have sent three companies
across the stream on Reconnaissance. Our scouts
Of yesterday also reported rebel scouts about, on
. tNe OtutI elAt ~ ~ WA. NC N"NN Ns"AANo N"'"'-
~ are not far OIL | suppose the cavalry were
sent hereby Gen. Sahl, who has command Of the
cavalry in this department, and has recently been
concentrating and drilling them at Fairfax Court
House. Whether they were sent here to relieve
US or to support Us, or for the purpose Of recon
noiierng, has not yet InnspIed
The weather OF late has been quite warm and
fair, though we had big snow storm on the 9th,
and a right smart bd Of cold weather To-day
We are getting cold peltng rain that beats
through our tents and makes US huddle on the
leeward side to keep dry. The health Of the regi
ment is now good mos, OF the sick aud GONZALES
cent have been sent to the general hospitals. The
chaplain good man, is very sick, and fears are en-
tertained of his recovery. The balance Of our
brigade remains IN stdiu quo, except that Colonel
Blunt has removed his headquarters from Union
Mills to Wolf Run Shoals. There was a rumor
in camp yesterday that the ljh and 10th regi-
ments had marched that day toward Wauenton
but it isnot generally credited.
No more at present tom yours Of the
THIRTEENTH.