Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-03-13
FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
BELL PLAIN, Va, March 8. / 1868

BELL PLAIN, Va, March 3, 1868.
Mr.. EDIroR
Dear Sr,--Suce last wrote you, one
month ago, there has been a decided i'm
provement, and the spirit-thermometer now
indicates, we hope, permanent rise in the
patriotism, confidence and spirit of the whole
army
The great number of designations that have
been accepted, and dismissals, honorable and
dishonorable, that nave been made, has purged
the army in a great measure of a large class
of cowardly, whining and very inefficient Of
hcers, and their places are being filled with
good men, who are true 10 the cause, and who
will by precept and example, encourage their
men to fight to the successful end.
Gen. Hooker is becoming more and more
popular daily with the army, by his interest
in the welfare Of the men, manifest in looking
after delinquent Quartermasters, and causing
them to supply more of variety and quaint
~ of food; by Furnishing deserters and alb
sentees without leave, add enforcing disci-
pline generally.
Of the Vermont troops | can say but little
and can only speak Of the first Brigade.
am informed by officers in the Brigade that
they share in the generally improved good
feeling Of the whole army. This Brigade has
a good fighting reputation here, and have al.
ways sustained themselves when in the front
of battles yet they have failed to make any
decided mark, such as their Green-mountar
ambition stimulates them to aspire to. But
the men and officers claim, that if they had
been properly supported dt the battle o
Fredericksburg, they would have made such d
mark, by the capture Of the rebel batteries
which they had silenced, but failed to gel
possession of, for want of support.
Col. Grant of the 5th regiment is in com
mand since the resignation Of Col. Whiting
Scarcely an officer now.-occupies the position
which he held when the troops left Vermont
no regiment is commanded by the same Colo.
mel, and hardly company by the same Cap
tain still they have been very fortunate, los.
ing very few men in battle and by sickness
but such changes are natural and inevitable
in the service.
No regrets are expressed at the resignation
Of Col Whiting; although regarded as q
good officer, so far as the care of his regiment
was concerned, yet he had not the energy
and dash that suits the boys.
have no news to write. The only inter.
ruptions to the monotony of camp-life here is
the occasional arrival Of contrabands, escaped
from the enemy's lines-somtimes bringing
property with them, such as teams of OK.
en-, mules, horses and carts-but oilenel
er entirely destitute, such an arrival to-day
Of eolored man and his wife, who escaped
last Sabbath nigh through the lines. The
man was formerly slave and preacher, and
was a short time since imprisoned in King
George county for expressing Union senii-
ments in his exhortations. but was released
on promising to keep close mouth, lie
leaves nine children in slavery, seems quite
intelligent, and says the impression in the vi.
cinity where he was upon the Rappahannock
is that the Union army will clear Virginia thi.
spring.
This locality seems quite healthy; there has
been very little sickness the past winter. The
greatest Inconvenience or deprivation we have
is, the want Of good water, but we get along
with this, by using less Of it. and none only
but as it is used for tea or coffee.
Vermonters stand the climate remarkably
we'll Many are from your locality of wlom
are Lieut., L. l.. Stone. Quartermaster of W.
-, detailed here TO assist Capt Pitkiq, Mr..