The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-07
TOur War Correspondence
General Banks Department.
FROM TIE EIGHTH VERMONT REGIMENT.

This sheet of paper have torn from my mem
orandum book.
We are encamped in magnificent Live Oak
grove three miles from New Iberia. We have
been one week on the march, have driven the en-
envy every time one battle lasted two days, at a
place where we burned the cotton have taken
1900 prisoners; have found 200 wounded rebels;
have buried an acre of their dead have destroyed
land taken) their gunboats, "Queen of the West"
Diana" Hart, and four transports, and still
we are after them. They retreat in confusion
and we press them hard by our rapid marches.
Shall be at Alexandra in five or six days. Gen.
Weitzel has led the advance the entire way, while
his troops, and Growers, have fought all the bat
ties. The Sth Vermont, being on the right of
the brigade, has actually been the leading reg-
ment in the march and fight Our casualties, we
are happy to say, have been very light-16 killed
in the whole brigade. We have taken large guam
titles of ammunition, camp and garrison equipage.
and ordnance stores. They left their camps in
such haste that their tents were all standing, with
furniture in them. Their retreat was so rapid
that loads of corn were left along side the road.
The health and spirits of the army are excel
lent. Gen. Banks is here in person with his
staff am enjoying the trip. We have break
fast at 5, march at 6, and halt for the night at
to P. M !; the ferces, Weitzers brigade 10 the
advance, then Emory's division, and afterwards
Growers division. To-day we will have St. Mar
tinsville and Butte La Rose. Sunday we will be
at Opelousas, and Wednesday or Thursday at Al
sxandria. There we have arrangements made to
communicate with Admiral Farragut.
We have 1000 head. of cattle in our train, so
we are not likely to starve. The column moves
in about ten minutes, so must close. The
weather is very fine and the roads excellent. The
country ia very rich and beautiful.
HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD, }
near Vermilion, April Is, 1868. {
We arrived here this morning at 9 o'clock, and
found it necessary to remain to rebuild the bridge
which the rebels burned yesterday as they cross
ed for Opeousas. We built one last night at St.
Martnsvlle So to-day we have rest which is
very agreeable. We are encamped on the rolling
prairie of the Opelousas County which it will take
US three days to cross. We have warm dusty
weather and the men stand the fatigue admirably.
have no time to write as the orderly goes to
New Orleans in few minutes with dispatches.
THURSDAY, April %.
As our halt is still continued and no sgas Of
an advance have yet appeared, have opened my
budget and got out my pen aud ink This morn
ing s as lovely it we'll caa be- except that it is
exceeding hot, and that we have not got to march
to-day is qualification, although hope we shall
continue our march to Alexandria, and thus cut
off the supplies going to feed our enemies from
this part OF the country. This delay in march
makes me feel weary about our movement, fear.
ing we may be ordered to return. Our soldiers
would be very much displeased to turn about and
take the back track
think | wrote you that our headquarters was
on the premises OF rich old Frenchman such
was the impression | obtained from bis looks and
and his speaking French alone but upon making
bis acquaintance and learning bis history,by use o.
my boy " Vic as an interpreter, | find he is q
Qaadroon," has lived in this coantry for man,
years aud was once slave on this same place
He bought his freedom by special favor Of hi,
mistress whose life he saved. He worked for he,
by the month, saved his earnings, bought all hi
family free, rented farm, made cotton and sold