Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-03-27
Our arup Correspondence.
HEADQUARTERS, FoRr SLoouM, D. c., |
March 18th, 1868

FKOM j III ~ EBEN EN- L II hEOi Elm 4.
HEADQUARTERS, Fort SLocuM, d. c.,
March 18th, SG3. I
Mr.. Editor ALTHOUGH in endeavoring TO
furnish your readers with history OF events
as they transpire in the camp of the Eleventh,
/ am compelled to ring over again" with
but "few variations" the same 'old changes"
of picket, garrison and fatigue, am sure
your readers, and especially those who have
friends here, will be glad to learn that it is no
worse, and that We are still the grateful re-
cipients OF a bountiful share of the better for
tunes Of war, while at the same time we are
SO situated as to be able to perform liberal
amount Of the duties of the soldier. IT, 80
far, have not proven myself to be prompt
correspondent, it has been from no inclination
to be dilligent, but from lack of matter and
ability to interest your readers. And though
am now unable to chronicle any rapid
march," or "change of position have the
equal pleasure of informing you of that, in
regard to this department which you have al
ready, perhaps, learned of nearly every other
department of the army, namely the com
pete reactions aud healthy state Of feeling
that has taken place IN regard to the war, con
segment upon the late actions Of Congress and
the President. and the seeming Discriminate n
of both the Government and the truly loyal
people, to weed out of the army, and from
civil life, those "cheap' patriots and trait
ors" who have been the authors OF nearly all
our military disasters, and a bane, yes dead
ly poison, to the successful prosecution of the
whole war 1t is not less surprising than
pleasing to notice how suddenly and (to
them) almost unconsciously. the burdens that
have oppressed the soldiers in the field have
seemed to be shCrn of half their weight since
they have received the assurance that the
hand Of relief and support soon TO be
stretched forth to aid them in their efforts to
save from ruin an imperied country
IL gives the soldiers other hearts and light
or spirits, it doubly renews their courage
and strengthens their energies. to know tina
SO much of what they have supposed to b'
imbecility and ndecision, on the part of thu
Government, proves to be mighty latent ell
ement, as powerful for good when aroused t
sense Of impending danger, as It has in tn
past been inactive and useless, and which ele
ment has for the past year been kept quietl
sleeping under the influence Of the soft AM
gentle lullaby Of whispered peace, or ha
been frightened into abject silence by tn
bluster and braggadocio OF cowardly traitor
in the North, who, too mean TO publicly de
clare their reasonable intentions, and to-
shielded their own miserable nccks from tn
halter, or from justice, by poisoning the publ
mind and binding the eyes of the Govern
ment by their professions of constitutional
devotion to the Union. Let those who hav
wondered at the universal heartsickness an
homesickness that has prevailed in the arm
for the last six months, wonder no more no'
that the veil is lifted, and they arc free to dis
cover its cause.
/ affirm that speak the sentiments Of e'
cry true hearted soldier when | say that the
respect is hundred fold greater, and the
detestation hundred fod less for "traito
in arms" than for those miserable, heartles
soulless mscreants in the North who, partia
ly concealing themselves behind the dead an
dying bodies of thousands of patriots, ha'
for the last year earnestly and successful
endeayored TO block the wheels of loyal pro
resi-, while at the same time hundreds, y
thousands Of deluded and heartbroken mot
ers, widows and sisters, have earnestly, II
ploringly and confidently solicited from the
consolation and relief from their sori ow
which solicitations have practically been a
swered only by adding hundreds more to 'ht
number. do not doubt that the soldiers
the field are quite as ready and anxious
fight to-day, as they ever have been, but tn
demand that they may be led by abe a
loyal officers, and that they be not obliged
the same time to resist the attacks OF op
enemies in the front, and of miserable paI
zan sneaks and cowardly traitors in the re
and that they may receive the universal 81
port of an earnest, united, unwayering
determined people. If these things be c.
coded to them, they have the fullest eonhde
of ultimate success otherwise they have
heart in the business.
That semi disloyal officers have been
lowed TO head our armies--and that dome
traitors | ave been allowed to iniuse the ~
OF their poisonors venom into every ven
the army. until il came near poisoning
very yitals, thereby running forever the
and brightest hopes Of every true heaI
patriot deem sufficient and sitting ans
TO the charge, "a charge seldom made by