Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1863-01-01

er has been very bad indeed, cold and rainv.-
Our company could not bring their tents each
man had to carry three days rations, q blanket.
and part of the time his knapsack. 1t is the
toughest service have yet endured. II seems
pity that this expedition could not have start
ed two months earlier. However our enemies
act as II they had given up their cause as about
hopeless else they would have fought as at the
Tallohatchie. We entered Abbieyille in the
mud and rain, found it deserted by its inhabi
tants and the large depot of stores left mass
Of smouldering ruins. The village was given
over to pillage and never saw such scenes he
fore. Every animal was killed, the houses
plundered, the fences and old buildings burned
for fuel. This company got an old wagon shop
and had plenty of the best of wagon timber to
burn. a large amount of clothing, bedding.
shoes, &C., was found, also ordnance stores and
a large amount of provisions, showing that the
report that the rebels are half clio thed and fed
is all humbug. The doserters, who ars con.
stantly coming in and giving themselves up are
as well clothed as we. Our wagons have not
always come up at night. The baggage of two
companies is in one wagon, and as the wagons
have been packed and repocked great many
times, great many knapsacks. blankets, cook
ing utensils, &c., have been lost. Our rations
have been scant, and we have had to live to a
great extent on what the boys could plumber
have no faculty to get anything in that way,
and would get nothing unless my bunkee was
first rate Jay lIawker, and shares with me
partly. He is big Dnlchman whom we call
Baby, and will always get things if any one
can. We got some nice bedding in Abbeville.
Nearly all our men were sick the night we staid
there from eating so much of every kind of
trash.
We staid in Abbeville till near night and
then marched out and encamped in the timber
a mile and half from town. Yesterday morn
ing it commenced raining and so continued
through the day and all night Six Of us got
tent fly which we stretched. 1t keeps off the
rain pretty well yet leaks pretty badly
The men got up all kinds of contrivances for
shelter-stretch their blankets and shoulder
cloths in the form of q tent, &c. This morning
it does not rain but is cloudy and cold and
windy. very uncomfortable. l don't know
when shall move again. My hands are get
ting numbed and must close.
SUNDAY, December It'll, 1862.
We have had clear fine weather the last two
days, though with cold nights. We have got
our blankets and clothes dried, and have had
two nights comfortable sleep. The division to
which we belong having been in advance three
or four days when we reached Abbieyille is now
in the rear, the other divisions having passed
us. We are waiting to fix up a rail road so
that supplies can be brought TO the army. In
few days suppose we shall go on. We have
to move slow but l think are going sure this
time. The country is heing devasted as far as
we march. The hogs, cattle, sleep and poultry
go the way OF all the earth. All the corn and
forage is taken. The white inhabitants have
nearly all LETT taking the most valuable slaves.
| have seen but four white natives since we
came through Holly Spring. The old negroes
and negro children are left on the plantations
They are very happy to have the Yankees come
but fear there will be much suffering among
| tneTn LOT want VI lOOu thlo NihNeI. Wuo ou'
on picket duty yesterday and talked with some
of the negroes.
Deserters from the rebel army are constant
" coming in, scatteringly. They must be yer!
much dsheartened. 1t comes very hard to vi
to be exposed 10 the hard'hips and privations
But how much worse must the rebel soldier
feel, il they have real heart in their cause, thu
; to be pursued in their own country which i
being laid waste. The darkies still persist il
saying that many of the rebel soldiers are DIES
ttule of shoes, clothes, and bankets-tha
though quantity of clothing came to Abbie
vile they did not have time to issue much Il
the men. They represent the rebels as dis
; couraged and disheartened, owning themselve
beaten and that they are deserving, especiul
Missourians, as fast us they possibly can.
S.R.W