Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-11-27
Our armu Correspondence.
For The wn,chman.
A CONSCRlPT's LETTERING. 8.
CAMP NEAR BEVERLY FORD. Va, !

US than Brandy Station we have not changed
our encampment, although at about ha past
three o'clock, a. NJ. on Sunday the 10Th we
received orders to pack up all but our tents
and be in readiness TO move at any moment,
and short but heavy cannonading at day
break in the direction of Brandy Station left
us in no doubt as to the reason. There had
been canoonading previous to this, but we
did not distinguish the reports Of the guns
from the thunder accompanying a heavy show
er Of rain with which we we're at that time
visited The engagement resulted-if the
camp rumor is to be credited-in the repulse
Of the attacking party and capture Of two reb-
ell brigades. Our success rendering a change
of position unnecessary we again unpacked
our knapsscks, rearranged the few articles
which comprise our housed old utensils and
furniture, and affairs in camp again took their
accustomed course
As the camp is tho soldiers home. where
the greater portion Of his life is passed, main
tanning peace and order by his presence, and
making those Preparations which are necessa.
ry to ht him for those extreme hardships
which be rnust at times endure. as well as for
those short but thrilling scenes where the
fate Of nations is sometimes decided and his
own career often terminates Accounts OF
of camp hfe, as its different features are pre-
scented to him in his progress through that
process by which the peaceful citizen is thor
oughly transformed into the soldier. must
constitute the principal part Of the letters Of
your correspondent While your readers
may think the subject already exhausted by
others, more able than myself, yet as the pic.
ture is drawn by different artist, and some
new feature may be presented, it is my hope
that they will be entertained if not instruct
ed.
The newly arrived conscript or recruit is
first sensible of the vast difference between
civil and military life,--which others from
familiarity do not perceive. but acknowledge
its truthiulness when it is again presented
to their minds
The recruit may be aglow with patriotism,
but he has no experience, and old habits
working against those efforts which the little
military knowledge he may possess enables
him TO make, betray him into continual blum
ders in spite OF his best attempts. In his ig-
norance, carelessness, or over carefuldess he
often iunocently or pardonably subjects him
self to penalties which may fail to reform the
guilty, but as the result of his own mistakes
serve as waymirks TO keep him in the path
Of duty and TO stimulate him to a more care
tul Observance Of those regulations which mill
tary discipline requires. He knows no dif.
ference between the different calls, reveille.
roll, orderlies or drum call. and after their
imports have been explained, it is often for
gotten at the only time when such knowledge
is Of value. Your correspondent can testify
that the fatigue duty done by him at the com
mencement Of the late march described in my
last was inflicted as a punishment for being
absent from roll call for wood or water.
which is allowed, but the orderly was not in
formed when he called the names, be of course
only discharged his duty. On drill, bis very
desire to excel is often the cause of many
blunders, notifying, because it is the failure
OF well-meant, endeavors, exposing the green
recruit 10 the ridicue Of the more exrerienced
soldiers, and doubly irritating because that
charity is withheld which should have been
shown.
To illustrate this disposition to blunder and
ITS cause, | will give my own experience At
our general inspections every soldier is re-
CURED to appear with knapsack, musket.
haverSack, canteen, &c with the brasses on
his belt and cartridge box polished, gun we'll
cleaned, and above all, with clean face and
hands He may or may not be required to
uusllng and open his knapsack, but each sol
der must present his arms for inspection as
the officer passes in front. The soldier is in
structed to raise smarty his piece with his
right hand, then to raiseit with the left be-
tween the lower band and guide sight the
lock TO the front, the lett hand at the height
OF the chin, the piece opposite to the left eye
the inspecting officer then takes it with the
/ right hand at the handle, and after inspecting
liz returns it TO the recruit, who receives it
back with the right hand, and replaces it
in the position OF ordered arms'
Al one cf our general inspections | became
suddenly perplexed to know between which
OF the bands to seize my piece but did the
best ! could without acting in accordance
with any prescribed rule, bringing up and
presenting my piece with the lock inside
The officer smiled and asked me to do it a.
gain; surprising that my failure was in grasp
ing my piece wrong endeavored to correct
my mistake and presented the piece as before
lock inside. Our Lieut. then told me to pre-.
sent the piece with the lock to the front. and
10y that time my lesson was well learned In
the various military mannuvers the recruit
has ample opportunity to prove the truth OF
the observation of General Scott, that ait
N"hNo thlNS otaln lol a lndu 10 learn 10 know
his lief! hand from his right"
The desire to excel and win the favor Of
Others as well the irritation experienced
from the injustice to which the recruit il
sometimes subject soon gives place to the de-
sire to do what is right for its own sake
things vexatious in themselves considered afc
expected and taken good naturedly, and with
that composure Of mind which is necessary
in order to make improvement from instruc
ton of any kind. The.wants ofthe soldier soor
call into exercise his observation and skill ia
the production and use of such articles o.
comfort and luxury as can be improyised from
the scanty materials at hand. He remains il
camp but short time before his tent become.
the roof of shanty logged un or stockaded
at the sides, with good fire place inside and
bedsteaI of poles, two resting upon crotched
stakes, across which the others are arranged
lengthwise and covered with boughs, over
which blankets are spread making a bed as
healthy If not as luxurious as the oAe he was
accustomed to enjoy at home. Hard tack i.
perhaps, the most tasteless form in which
flour can be used, but the soldier finds exer.
clse for his skill in the culinary department
IN various contriyances, to render it NOR,
palatable. It is often fried in pork fat, toast
ed ON the Goals Of bis fire soaked in bee
broth pounded fine and made into hast,