The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-04-10
Army Correspondence.
CAN'T NEAR CHANTILLY, }


Apr. 9Th, 1868.
Mn. EDITORIALS it has been long time
since troubled you with any of my commu
nications, concluded to give you on pape,
an idea Of what the Twenty Seventh" are
doing ut the present time.
We moved from Camp Vermont to Camp
Gen. Casey about half mile) on the 3ls'
of Dec. last, and from that time to March
23d, did picket duty on line from the Poto.
mac river to tho Orange and Alexandria
Railroads. distance of about seven miles
the same rs had been done by a Vermont
Brigade previous to our coming there. We
however did n whole Brigado's duty of picket
ing for most three months-bcsides drilling
whenever the weather would allow.
On the ODD ult., oders came for us to march
at once for Chantilly and to join the 25th
Maine at Biilcy's Cross Roads. just rs we
were ready to march, Col. Fessendsn came in
and said VIC need not start until morning.
Accordingly at l.2 O'Clock on tho oath,
we took up our line of march, by the way of
the Little Rhine Turnpike, an excellent road
which runs from Alexandria to Aldic and
thence to Winchester. Although our men
were but little used to long marches. they
went q mile beyond Fairfax Court House
the first day, about IL miles which was doing
pretty well with heavy knapsacks. For the
first timc wc pitched our shelter tents and
campcd for tho night after throwing out u
strong guard around our camp. BY the time
this was done it commenced raining, and con-
tnued to pour down hard all night. We
slept we'll being tired, notwithstanding sun.
dry persons found themselves in sort of
amphibious state; that is partly in water
and partly on ,oet land. The next morning
we started and marched three or four miles
further on, and pitched our tents in pine
grove where VIC still remain the first night
here we heard for the first time the long roll,
an orderly having come in and reported the
enemy upon us. Our men were on hand and
into line ut once-tlred, lame. sick and all
no hanging back. The alarm proved to be
false, the men were dismissed to their quar-
tiers with orders to be ready at u moments
warning. Since then we have been constantly
on the alert for the enemy, but We see none
except occasionly q prisoner going in under
guard. Our pickets IRE thrown out about
two miles from camp toward Centerville and
the cavalry pickcts are in the opposite drec'
ton towards Drainsville. BY thorough and
frequent reconnoiteripgs in this vicinity we
cannot learn of the presence Of many rebels
although rsmors are plenty that they are in
force but q short distance of. Several cav.
airy regiments went out on q scouting ex.
petition but with what success do not know
as they have not yet returned.
The 9th and 2jth are in camp close to-
gether, and the competition between the two
regiments has tendency to improve both NJ
regards drill and certain forms and ccremo-
MES considered necessary by military author
tiles. Both regiments are in good condition.
md under their present efficient officers. I
have no doubt will do good service when
jailed upon for action.
This part Of the country, like the other We
have been in, shows most painfully the dcvas.
.ating influence of war. Houses demolished,
ences burned, forests cut down. and every
hing wears dcsolatc and deserted appear.
sncc. The Chantilly House and groves was
'ncc a most splendid location for q fine
country gentleman Of the old Virginia style.
nut alas. war has done its work upon it, and
Ill that remains Of the once spccious mansion
8 pile Of freestonc which is fast diminish
ng' Tor tho soldiers arc carrying the stone
away to build chimncys to their tents, and
n short time all will be gone. The owner
VI the place, named Stuart, is said to be q
in the rebel army.
The Chautilly battlefield is u milo or 90 ]