Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-08-04
(our War Correspondence
From the Tenth Vermont Regiment.
CAMP IN THE FIELD,


UppERyILLE, Va, July q. !
MR.. EDITOR. Two days marching, since my
last, has taken us eighteen miles nearer Richmond,
and now, at noon, the Third Corps lies near Ash
by's Cap where it camped yesterday afternoon,
and ia under orders, am told, to report at War
renton tomorrow night. Reveille sounded at
four O'Clock this morning, and our Division was in
readiness to march at five, but for some reason
which Major General French did not deign to
make known to us privales, the column did not
move. Exercise, however, being considered ndis-
pensable to the health of ye soldier, an inspection
of arms took place at eight o'clock, on which oc-
casion the various defects in their pieces caused
by rainy weether, damp nights, biyouacs in mud
puddles when it was too dark to find dry land,
Incidence OF their possessors, &C., &e., we're point
ed out, and admonitions Of future diligence ad-
ministered. Proud was the man whose Furnished
gun barrel so dazzled the eyes Of the inspecting
officer that he was glad to move on to the next,
and crest.iaen was be who was ordered back to
his quarters to renew bis applications of sandpa-
per and oil. At present we are in momenary ex-
peCtation Of marching orders but they are very
sure not to come until tomorrow morning, that
we may have little tramp before breakfast, to
give US an appetite for our tack. Being awaken
ed at three o'clock, and marched fifteen miles be-
fore breakfast yesterday morning, the boys did
not stop 10 drive the fresh meat from their
hard bread, but swallowed worms and ALL and
didn't complain about it either
The country through which We have passed
since entering Virginia, presentsu marked and net
very hauering contrast to the beautiful and fer
tile valleys which our army trayersed in Mary
land, where nearly every acre Of land for miles,
was under cultivation, and twothirds Of it dotted
over with the recently harvested sheuves Of wheat.
| think | never in my life saw spot in which,
were agricul.uray inclined, | should rather
spend my days than the valleys Of Frederick or
Middleton. presume that the soil Of this yicin-
ity is by no means sterile, but the blghting
effects OF war are everywhere apparent. Much
Of the land remains untitled while the two armies
have either trampled down or appropriated the
crops which were raised. In Uppervillc, village
OF some fifteen hundred inhabitants, there are no
stores, shops, nor places Of business Of any de-.
scripton, he business blocks sulI bear the signs
Of their former occupants, but are either empty
or used as barracks. Not pound Of sugar nor
a sheet Of paper could obtain in the place.
Ashby's Gap is in our possession. Several reg
iments Of cavalry, including the lst Vermont,
passed through it yesterday, driving few rebel
pickets before them but without meeting the
enemy in any force.
Copies Of Vermont papers received last evening,
contain lists Of the men drafted in some OF the
Vermont districts, and considerable anxiety was
manifested by the boys to learn who of their ac-
quaintances were elected believe tie
Montpelier list give pretty general satisfaction,
and that the drafted ones will meet with cor
dial reception from their fellow-citzens now in
arms, when they arrive in Dixie, especially that
class who are amply able to pay the $500.
Hoping to be able to date my next scrawl amid
the smouldeiing ruins Of the rebel capital, | re.
main Your humble P-R.