Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-08-07

BIvouAc AT UrPERvILLE, VA.
Inlv 81

July 81.
DEAR JoURNAL,--My last was dated at
South Mountain Since then we have been
travelling here there and everywhere, at all
times, often day and night. Our corps, the
Sd, was IN reserve. in our march from South
Mountain towards the enemy. So we were
moved from point to point as they saw fit
Through negligence something else,
the rebels were allowed to cross into Virginia
without moleststion. Our army was never in
better fighting condition nor ever more anx-
ious to meet the enemy than at Williamsport.
Many were the expressions of disappointment
that the old soldiers made at their escape.
Wednesday 5th, the army started on its
movement to head the rebels in their retreat.
Our corps travelled a good fifteen miles be-
fore dinner, and the hottest day we boys have
yet seen. number of the men were sun
struck, but none died in our regiment. 1t is
reported that four men died in the other reg
iments ] know of only one that died. IL
was cruel marching. Friday night at half
past Elk we left our camp which was within
three miles of Sandy Hook, passing through
that village. where the mud was eight inches
deep. We crossed the Potomac on pontoons
at Harpers Ferry, passing around Loudon
Heights next the Potomac we marched a
couple of miles and then camped. We were
some five hours doing it; so you can Judge
something of the travelling. Sunday we
marched four mile yesterday morning the
hugle was blown, anl We started without hav-
lnA time to make Office, and travelled twelve
miles before VIC stopped TO get anything to
eat Then we rested about three -iOurths Of
an hour, and then came three miles farther,
where we now are arriving here at p. NJ.
To 40 tn IN, mn
instead, we have had an inspection of arms.
Perhaps by seven O'Clock this evening orders
may come for us to travel off some eight or
ten miles-at least we expectit.
1t has rained half the time, but we are in
excellent spirits. The night we passed
through Harpers Ferry, Co. serenadet
them with the song of John Brown" anC
some others, equally as popular. Nearly al
of us have met acquaintance in the othei
Vermont regiments, and those meetings are
enjoyed. On our marches our officers are
very kind, Coils. Jewett and Henry, and Maj
Chandler, providing horses for the sick one
to ride, as il is utterly impossible for sicl
man TO get in an ambulance. Our regimen
is in the Sd corps, Sd division and LIST br gade
Maj. Gen. French, commanding now, as Gen
Sickles is unable on account of his wounds
Gen. Hooker commanded before Sckes an'
Gen. Heintzleman previous to Hooker.
used to be the fighting corpswhether 1t sus
tains its reputation while under Gen. French
cannot say it has not, so far. Our regi
ment only lent to this corps while the rat
into Maryland lasted, so we shall probably x
back into the deienses of Washington befor
great while.
LIST Lieut.. l.. C. Gale Co. X, has the pos
of commlssary on Gen. Morris staff, Their
are some Of the old regiments getting reduc
ed rather low in numbers. A brigade passe
US the other day, when the largest number
men in a regiment, was one hundred and tel
rather small compared to our regiment. Gu
Vermont cavalry too. arc down some, betwee
three and four hundred effective men. Gu
boys tell us that ten rebels will not fight on
cavalryman, only as they are obliged to.
year ago our cavalry were afraid Of the reb
els, now it is very far the other way. w
have seen great many rebel prisoners, bu
never rebel in arms.
Upperville is the first town in Fauquit
Co. 1t is like all the rest of the places in Va
all worn out, old and small. the stores az
closed and used for hospitals. BY the wa
Frederick City has some as excellent hospital
as have yet seen, some five or six acres
beautiful ground and number Of exceleu
buildings. Frederick has mat same old loo
that all the southern cities have. Harper
Ferry is Quilted. it has been deserted so man
times, that nothing but the frames OF builC
ings remain. In haste, Z.
July 9Th, Bipouac too miles belo,o Warrel
ton.--Last Tuesday evening we left Uppe
vile and started for Manassas Gap, whel
the rebels were reported to be in force. o.
corps was in the advance and had a sligl
skirmish with the rebels, but our regimen
was detached to guard the corps train, an
remained with them until Friday afternoo
whom VIC were camped at Piedmont st
ton. Yesterday we started for this plac
passing through portion OF Wairenton viii,
Ia a very pretty place although rather old
has some exc, llent churches and few prva
dwelling houses and contains some fifteen hu
dred inhabitants. For the past week we ha
been travelling through rough, poor countr
II is week ago last Tuesday night since
have had any mail, aud We have not sent a
lately Us we were unable to do so. Our irien
must not worry too much by not recevi
any letters from us. However, the m
'sver here Tomorrow morning. We are
o us tired and feel as though we would Ii
several days of rest, although our regime