Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-12-22

leads from Culpepper to Fredericksburg, and
could at any time we chose, move down and take
possession Of the nights at that place. The enc
ny were only covering G1rdonsyille They were
south and west Of us, and we we're the nearest
All this looked as if it might
be go, but there was an air Of mystery and doubt
about it that made some Of the knowing ones ieei
incredulous. Our hesitating to attack The day
before looked a little as if everything was not
50 well for us as some pretended to believe They
had ii strong position and doubtless were so dis
posed that they could move down and occupy
their old position by Fledsrcs'burg' or they
could fight US there in either case they held us
to a disadvantage 1t really looked as If Gen.
Meade had failed iu some brilliant maneuyre by
which be bad intended to bring Lee out on an
open fight. and in this failure, nasmuch as we had
declined to fight and give the reosi3 their adyan-
lage, it seemed pretty likely that we should tali
back across the river once more. This was rem
dered certain when night came and we were Or
dered to pack up and oL 10. After marching
two or three miles, or such a natter we halted
and formed into line. Skmshers we're thrown
out, and we we're told thai we should remain al
leas, two hours
Il was a certain tniag then that We sere re-
treating, aud that part Of our brigade Was act
lng as rear-guard We spread down our nan-
kets, determined to steal little sleep Il ae could.
The next thing we have any recollection OF was
of being aroused from good sweet dream, aud
ordered 70 form. We ha been there three hours
instead Of Two We were completely chilled
through, and Il was quite fortunate .ha' we were
awakened when We wert, for We were shiyering
with the cold and trembling like a man Of nine
ty. Weiel iat9 line, and before We mad marched
far we we're warm enough.
1t was about aygh. when VI reached and
crossed Germania Ford the next morning We
noticed as We passed down to the river some well
constructed rae-pts and braas.works, from
which the enemy had no doubt intended TO dis
pute our passaga across the river, md which we
were enab ed to dodge through tie foresight and
en.ralship Of Gen. Meade. We marched about
g mi,e this side ol the river before We halted ior
breakfast. The j,h corps had preceded us, and
their men were ying in the bushes on each side
Of the road, as thicky as they could possibly get
together After breakfast we marched on little
further, and finally in a woods for all day, and
the next night Thursday mlrning we were or
dered to pack up and fall in, hich We did, and
marched towards our Old camp. We marcheC
up to Stevensburg and crossed the Mountain
Creek at that place, some distance above The
place where We crossed toe same stream on oui
way down week before. As We came along b!
the camps Of the 9th and 3rd corps We notice.
that they were occupying the same houses, and
the same places exactly that they occupied beior'
we moved. Al Brandy Station everything wa
alive with business. One suffers wagon was ac
tually unloading from platform car, Just as W
passed by This was an important event. TO
sutler goods haze heretofore been to1 scarce G
be obtained even by officers, and those who Zee
that they have special right TO these thing
We marched straight back / to our old mi
Those that had not burned up their houses beior
they leO had only to put their tent overhead 70
roof, and they were as comfortably situated a
ever but some had completely destroyed 'he
houses, and material, and consequently il the
- built again, had TO commence anew. We weT
told that we had better not make any extens'
preparations Uncomfortable quarters, as our reg
nent intended to move to a more pleasant local
ty. which has since been done. Friday night II
order came into camp to pack up everything
and be ready TO move at a moments notice III
u rebel cavalry had crossed to this side Of the RaF
Il dan, and possibly We might be attacked. III
! officer and men had been given ration OF VIII
KEY that night and all hands were pretty no's
i though nobody supposed tia, hat had any'hr
+" to do with the rebel scare, Matters quieted dow
' after while, and so did the boy, and no enen
J. disturbed us that night. The next morning
! were detailed for this "iatigue, and here
20 have been ever since. Weare building cordu
}" road along by the side Of the rairoad from Ia
, pahannoek Statiou to camp. Our supplies tn
Z saw have got to be carried over this road. l
'' railroad only carries forage to Brandy Station
p But it is getting 10 be well on towards m
~ night, and my fire is nearly gone out. No
would dsagree with me, if should say, it IS til
~ this tedious letter was brought to close, 10
~ am beginning to feel almost as dull as wha
's boyo written ANTI-REBEL,
p- law