The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-10
Our, War Cerrsspondence.
A Soldiers Letter. No. IA.
THE CoNvALEsCENr CAMP.

well. As soon as they are considered In far
way for recovery, they must leave the hospital TO
make room for more needy sufferers. Often,
when all the hospitals have their full complement
of atients, and all seem to be getting along hne-
y an order comes to make room for large
number more, and these must be attended to, at
all hazards. The only way to arrange this bust
ness was to establish camp, where those the
nearest we'll and best able to take care of them
selves could be sent and thus make room for
others to whom neglect would be certain death
Hence, the origin of this camp for convalescents.
/ shall live to be an aged man. indeed, if live
to forget the day that introduced me to this camp
which honest critics have considered OF all Places
the one most miserable. First impressions, they
say, are lasting, and if SO, this may in part &C
count for the sombre description | shall give of
what saw here. The day of .ny initiation was
as disagreeable as the elements could make it.
Rain and sleet, driven by a northwest gale, was
the complexion Of the weather, and the most irri
tating red tapeism the order of the day. In the
first place, at precisely ten o'clock A. NJ, of this
eyentful day, we were ordered from the retreat
to fall into line in front Of the office. Here, quite
number were selected from among US, to take
some horses down to Fredericksburg. From
Fredericksburgh, these men could 60 at once to
their regiments. AS soon as it became known
what this selection was being made for, almost
every one of the beys clamored eagerly to be
counted with the lucky number. A stranger
could have seen at glance, how anxious the
boys were to get to their regiments, and how
glad they were to shun the convalescent camp.
After being kept in a line, exposed to pelting
storm, till the impatience of the men was begin
ming 10 find copeus vent 10 language not at ell
refined, we were finally marched down to the
wharf, when to our chagrin, we found that the
Government boat for Alexandria, had Just left
for that place. 1t now became military neces-
sty for US to wait till its return, and we did so,
with perhaps less of patience than patriarch Job
would have exhibited under the same crcum-
sauces, but still quite resgnedly for soldiers un-
protected from the storm, and lust from COM
Portable hospitals. In process OF time the boat
returned and We were taken to Alexandra, and
forthwith We commenced to march to our con-
valescent home. The camp is situated Just on
the brow of hill just back of the CITY from
the river, and to the right of the road leading
frnrp A low ndra 70 E.;rfox
In pleasant weather this situation is by no
means devoid of beauty. 1t commands a fine
view OF Washington and Alexandra and a long
stretch of the Potomac, far down below both CIT
les. In clear day, when the bright sparkling bo-
som of the river is covered with vessels of all
descriptions, from the sprightly little steam-tug
to the giant ocean steamship moving proudly on
in its course, the view from this emnence is truly
splendid to behold. The residence at its summit
must have occupied no unenviable position in the
days Of its glory, bat all its beauty except that of
position, has been ruthlessly destroyed by the
grim demon Of war. Here once was the abode
Of wealth aud refinement, and marks of the nro
prietors taste in cultvatng his grounds are visible
all around, But where once stood the nicely
qruned cedars, enclosing beautiful gardens, such
as Vrginians know how to make, now all that
can be seen is the stamps of the trees and bare
sutline Of former beauties. Tents have occuied
The ground, which once was sacred to SAM ono
by all the endearments that can embeIHsh HOME.
and where once the lily and the rose grew and
blooned, sick men have lain and groaned and
died. Alas this same sad tale Of beauty dos.
troyed and homes desecrated is echoed tbrouvb,
out the length and breadth of this guilty secpss.
ion-accursed State. But l have dropped the