Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-07-28

do to give whole command almost, the right
10 struggle. We marched only about ten miles
that day crossed the Potomac on a pontoon
bridge, and bivouacked this SIDE till Sunday morn
ing. At early dawn we started again towards
Canada. We marched up to the east Of the
Sugar Loaf Mountain, over ground familiar to the
regiment as this same road had been passed over
before on a similar expedition last fall We
passed through Poolesville and Drainsye, and
that night camped at Hyattsville, makinga march
of twenty miles or more. The next day we
marched thirty miles aud stopped at Sans Creek.
Tired as the boys were they had strength enough
left to ransnck the village and purchase everything
eatable, from mince pie to a loaf OF brown
bread, including chickens, hams, eggs ETC. The
stores were drained Of all groceries as fast as the
goods could be handed out and the money receiy
cd for them. Farm houses were besieged and
everything that exirawgant prices could buy was
bought, and even then there was hardly half a
mouthful apiece. When all other resources be.
came exhausted we resorted to the gris mill,
where flour and com meal could be had, out Of
which we made cakes and puddogs in the most
approved primitive style Probably the most OF
US manufactured supper out Of material not ex-
pressIy mentioned in the army regulations. But
the time consumed in this, was so much extract
ed rom what we needed for sleep, and much
needed too, for the time allotted to us for thst
since we started had been an extremely stingy al
lowance. AT last we 10y down in the bright light
Of full moon, and soon were unconscious OF
pain or WEAKNESS in our refreshing slumber. How
bright and beautiful the moon shone that night.
As looked upon that pure, silyery orb, | could
half imagine how her light would become dim
med with sorrow were she eonscous Of the cruel
desoation being enacted under her light. Per-
haps it was SO, and for very grief she had hid her
face behind cloud, for before morning it rained
quite hard, and when some Of the boys awoke
they found to their surprise that their blankets
were soaking wet.
We we're generally allowed till ak O'Clock to
dry our blankets and get our breakfast that morn
ing, when We were ordered forward again. Weak
and weary, stiff and sore, we plOddsd along,
taking the Baltimore pike, which there runs par
alle with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad TO
Ridgeye, when we turned to the left a little aud
took road directly north through Winchester,
to within about mile of Manchester. We call
ed it that we had Travelled tweniy.eight miles. AT
night We we're put on picket. 10 this we had no
objection because We ihncied we could forage
a little, and the thing wasn'. impossible but that
some good Union lady might be induced by the
tempting display of greenbacks to bake US loaf
Of bread. Our hard tack and pork were at dis
count there, good, legitimate bread and butter
having the preference. Besides there was Law
ish abundance Of cherries, large ripe and uciOus,
although they grew without cultivation, and Of
these we partook as much as we pleased. That
night and the next day we picketed there, and it
seemed the most like living and enjoymen, Of any
thing We had seen for long time, though must
confess, the vacant stare Of my purse, was some
times little annoying. Not all the citizens there
could be accounted good Union men there we're
many rank seeessionists. One fellow told me that
fifteen men from Manchester joined Lee as be
passed through. This place was in Carroll County
in the north of Maryland, within seven miles Of
the Pennsylvania line.
Winchester was a very pretty place. We
marched through in an orderly manner, carrying
our guns ina uniform position, and keeping our
step and places in the ranks as If we were trying
to play Fourth Of July. The General requested
US to do so, that we might show the people how
well good Union soldiers behave. The streets
and tuildings had more thrifty appearance than
most Of the larger Maryland towns that | have
seen. II was almost equ'l TO our northern villa
ges. Although it raned quite hard, the men,
women and children thronged the doorways and
windows TO see the soldiers as we passed by.
The boys remarked that it had the most CHEEKY,
home-like appearance Of anything we had come
across for long time.
That night orders came just at dark, to pack
aud march, We had heard the firing during the
day and we well knew what was wanted Of us.
We started back towards Winchester and went
within two miles OF that place west, then took
the main road towards Gettysburg. 1t took oil
night to march about seven miles, the roads we're
so c!ogged with teams and other things to hinder.
Marching by rods is like dying by inches, and it
gets an impatient man into hell OF misery.
Scolding aud swearing is dispensed at an awful
rate when a regiment is compelled to halt and
wait every few rods, il the road is good and the
journey long. We marched that day thirty-6ve
miles. We were 10 sight Of the battle field when
the battle commenced yesterday, although some
distance from il We moved forward as rapidly
as possible, which at this time was not over and
above rapid, and reached the ground between five
and six o'clock bu, i; was long after dark before
they discovered where they wanted 10 put us.
Finally they placed us here on this left flank, so
that il we are attacked here we can prevent the
army from being aanked, Yesterday they came
very nigh turning this flank and winning the day
II they fail at every other point they will un'
doubtedly try this. We have constructed us
sort Of breast work on our own hook, Of rails and
dirt, that we fancy will help US some, though
dare say It is not very formidable. noticed the
General smiled as he rode by and saw tia minute
ago. At any rate it will stop the minnies but /
the rebels place battery in the woods yonde