Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-09-08
nlistellallp.
A Soldiers Letter.-EO' 81.
WASHINGTON SQUARE, New York, Sept |

WASHINGTON SQUARE, New York, Sept /.
EDITOR FREEMAN The situation We occupy
as write day, differs in some respects very
widely from what ! have usually attempted to
describe. TO be sure we have camp as usual,
live in our little shelter tents as we always have,
and sleep on our blankets now as has been our
custom but the rittling Of carriages, the con-
s,ant passing and repassing Of well dressed ladies
and gentlemen, and the busy hum Of peaceful
life, are things that we have long been strangers
to. The interior OF our humble tents may not
differ sensibly from their former appearance, aud
/. the beautiful shade trees in the park give our
camp and its immediate vicinity resemblance to
some Of hose selected ia var-worn Virginia. but
we are not accustomed to occupy ground laid Ou,
with so much taste and skill, or preserved by so
much care and pains. The trees in this park
have been kept almost too sacred to touch. The
sgreensward has been constantly guarded by large
notices to Keep off from thi, ga. and not
the slightest thing that would dehle lady's par
Dor floor, has been allowed to remain here. The
park has walks in all directions, paved with slabs
pi stone as smooth as marble. There is a large
fountain and reservoir in the centre, which ia not
buly beautiful ornamen, to the place, but fur
hi,hes US liberal supply Of CrOton water, the
spurest and best nature affords Then We are sur
bounded on oil sidss by the lofty, elegant mansions
owned by men Of large wealth, in which We sup
pose people OF culture and refinement dwell, and
(which notice differ most essentially from our
|smple tents in point Of comfort and convenience,
u We eau be allowed to Judge of the magni6cence
of some Of the apartments when brilliantly lighted,
as We view them from the side Of the street op-
posite. There are so many splendid luxuries in
these mansions, that ii seems to me any one would
have to live great while to enjoy them ALL
Some times find It all | can do aud more too,
to enjoy the little that un pretending tents AZ
ford.
The % and 4lh Vermont, and nearly two regi-
msnts Of regulars occupy this park for a camp.
What we are here for, how long we are going to
fsny, and where we shall go when our stay here
Il
Is.k easier than he can answer. We do but very
little except to keep one another in camp. That
lis, guarding is Our.principal duty, and we have a
great abundance Of this II there had cen any
attempts a, riotng while the draft was proceed
ling, we infer that it would have devolved upon
JUS to show these rioters how public enemies are
Iireated. A few of our lessons fancy would have
effectually satisfied their curiosity. Among al
1.-THE old regiments brought here, have seen nc
New Workers. When we came here il was sale
zthat our President was afraid to trust Gov. Sey
zmour with bis own State troops, in case Of riot
d am not sure whether ii was the Governor or th,
,roops that was the most distrusted. 1t was said
THAT Gen. Howe was ordered TO send here brig
ade composed OF other men than New York o.
New Jersey troops and sone Of the best mel
/ that he had and be concluded to send a brigade
4 of pure vermonters. Evidently iha. General wei
Understood his business.
L We had quite pleasant voyage from Alexau
dria, as pleasant as could be expected with dis
abed engine strong head wind, and sutlcieu
/ admix,uro Of sea.spkness with our sensations {
pleasure, TO maintain natural equilibrium. W
l were four days coming from Alexandria to Ne
L York. We were packed into the boat from tn
l hold to the upper deck, in manner very simia
\ take il, to that adopted by slave pirates in di
l posing Of their cargo. Every available spot G
th floor was a soldiers bed, and at night we wei