Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-09
Our armu Correspondence.
FROM THE TENTH REGIMENT.
CAMP NEAR WIRES FERRY, Md. /

FROM THE TENTH REGIMENT.
CANT NEAR WHITES FERRY, Md. /
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 1862.
Perhaps it would interest you to know how
the 10th is situated. A week ago last Sunday
morning our brigade broke camp at Orfutt'
Cross Rouds, eighteen miles above Washing.
ton. the 10th boys taking three days ration'
Of "yea-meaf' and bareback" in their hav.
ersacks. Our destination was then unknown
to us-all we could learn being that we were
going to guard some Of the fords of the Upper
Potomac, precaution which even to us pri
Yates, had long seemed to be demanded by
the frequent and destructive raids Of the
guerrilla band under Maj. White. The first
days march was a fatigueing one. and the real
guard found themselves in business in keep.
ing the stragglers in motion. 1t terminated
however, about 8 p NJ. at Poolesville, eigh-
teen miles from Ofcuts. where we bivouack.
ed for the night in open air, in piece Of
woods near the village For the first time in
my life army beef tasted sweet to me, and
devoured about pound with great zest.
The next morning, at nine o'clock, the
march was resumed, aud at twelve clock
the regiment reached Conrad's Ferry, where
three companies--A, G aud K-were left, in
command Of Major Chandler to do picket
Three miles further up the river, at White IS
Ford, directly in front of Major Whites resi-
deuce, which is on the Virginia side, about
half mile from the river, four more compa-
mics pitched their tents. and established Reg.
mental Headquarters The three right wing
companies under Lieut.. Col. Henry proceeded
direct from Pooesyile to the mouth of the
Monocacy, where they are doing most watch.
ful duty. The three divisions, beingsituated
on bend Of the river, with Poolcsvllo in the
centre, are each some five miles distant from
that town
We now begin to see some fun. The coun-
try is mountainous, looking more like Yer
mont than any where we have been stationed
before, and for that reason, if for no other.
the boys rather like it. "Secesh' seem indi-
genous to the soil, and nearly every farmer S
house is supposed to contain whole nest OF
ofthem. Acting upon this supposition, near
ly every barn and hen-house is subjected to
thorough inspection, resulting generally in
what is termed by all parties interested, a
fo,ol confscetion About a dozen Of these
native wandering Jews are brought into camp
every day by the pickets, charged with being
unable clearly to define thei, position
Yesterday a grey-headed old negro came
down to the river and requested permission
to "hcller" to his "oe woman" He stated
that he was a uteasH on Mai. Whites farm,
that he came over into Maryland before our
Regiment came up here, and that now, as we
would not let him 90 back, he wanted to let
his spouse know he was "all right" A cor
poral took him up to camp, where he obtain
ed written permit to " boiler" ad ibittm, of
which he availed himself by shouting Justify
for half an hour, but without raising the
e" ole woman or, indeed anything else, ex-
cePt a hearty laugh among the pickets.
The guerillas have not attempted to cross
IN any fe-es since tLe srat nigh. NO were
here, when detachment of about fifty " tried
it on" but turned back about midway OF the
river, and reiterated to the - sacred soil &"
W. had a rifle pit directly over the ford, from
which we could do mutderous execution
should they attempt to cross again. c.