Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-11-20
From the Sixth Regiment.
CAMP NEAR WARRENToN. VA, !
November 6, 1868.

MIR. EDITOR, DIR 1t Is hot my
purpose to instruct or amuse the read
ers of your valuable paper, that l at
tempt to write at this time, but | write,
that the people Of Orleans County may
know something of the feeling that ex-
lists among their soldier friends in the
army.
AT the outbreak of the rebellion, we
were called upon by the President of the
United States, to rally to the support of
the general government, for the traitors
hand was raised to erase seventeen stars
from the proud banner under which we
have been, and hope ever to be protected.
This call was responded to with will
although the company formed in our
county was not needed under the first
call they readily enlisted for three years
under the call for 100000.
Thus went forth from our noble coun-
ty, prior to the lst day of January 1862,
five companies of infantry, one company
of cavalry, beside many recruits for the
two batteries and two companies of sharp
shooters, sent from the State.
Did these companies 90 out from
among you, without your sympathy ?
Did you say 60 and fight the traitor
wherever he may be found--restore our
country to peace, but mark you-you
must not look to US for support? Ay:
no, many were the prayers, God bless
you, and tears shed as you took the part
ing hand of these men as they went forth
to battle for the rigbt-to put down trea-
son and oppression-your sympathies
were strong in behalf of these men.
Let us take brief notice Of the ex-
perience and conduct of these men dur
ing the past two years: The greater
portion that responded to this call, went
into the army of the Potomac. In April
you hear from them on the Peninsula,
here they are called upon to meet the
enemy; and though in water waist deep
they face the most CALLING fire: although
this is the first experience Of many OF
them, they hold their position until or
dered to fall back. 10 that fatal stream,
Warwick creek many an Orleans boy
fell to rise no more.
Again at Williamsburg, Golden's
Farm, Savage Station and White Oak
Swamp, is the sword raised and the bay
onet pointed at the traitors head. You
next find them at Champions Gap and
on the memorable field of Antietam,
Go to Fredericksburg and they can
point to you more places than one, where
they have met the enemy, they can point
to you St. Mary'S nights that were sue
cessfully sealed on the Sd of May. The
next day the cold lead and polished steel
were too much for the gray backs" to
face, and they turned on their heels at
double quick" closely followed by the
yanks OF Orleans. At midnight of the
same day might be seen one of these
companies slowly and cautiously advanc-
ing (as skirmisher-) from the right flank
of our army to get a position which
would protect the main portion Of the
corps as it crossed the river, and the
same company was one of three, last to
cross the following morning.
On the le.feld OF Gettysburg they
will next be found, but as fortune favor
ed them, they were not engaged in the
deadly conflict, but were ready at mo-
ments notice to deal death to them that
dare raise the fHly rag of treason.
On the 10th day of July at Funks-
town Va, they were engaged in one of
the sbarpest skirmish fights of the war +;
few companies repuIsing two separate
charges OF one Brigade Of Infantry as
sisted by six pieces of artillery; here
two of the brave boys of Orleans fell a
sacrifice to their country, nobly doing
their duty; two others will carry scars
to their graves, that were here inflicted.
To day may be found Zone mile south
Of the once beautiful town of Warren
ton, Va.,) four of these companies. Do
you ask how they have stood the hard
ships, the half which has not nor cannot
be told?
We will answer by giving you cor
rect statement of one of these compa-
MES. 1t left the county on the 9th day
of October, 1861, with l0l men, has
since been recruited with % men, and
day it musters 50 men that are pre-
sent for duty so enlisted men and 3 Off
GERS. The greater portion of the 20
lost, have been discharged and some Of
them were totally unfit for military duty
on entering the service. Nine of the