Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-02-13
Our arHp Correspondence.
FROM THE SIXTH REGIMENT.
CAMP NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH,
January 80, 1868.

January oO, 1000
will give you some account Of our move
ments for the last ten days also such other
items as may be Of interest to the friends Of
the soldier
Tuesday Jan goth, we packed up to make
another grand advance" upon the enemy.
We left camp about 10 o'clock A. NJ, upon
frozen ground and with heavy knapsacks, for
very many Of US had the day previous receiv-
ed express boxes from home. Gen. Burn
sides order calling for the united efforts of
officers and men, was read to us after having
proceeded two or three miles. We marched
some eight or ten miles above Falmouth and
encamped for the night, expecting to cross the
Rappahanuock the next morning. A heavy
rain storm set in about eight o'clock in the
evening, and continued, with much wind, all
night. The next day we were ordered into
line TO assist the pontocn train out of the
mud in which they seemed hopeessly stuck.
A cold rainy day and pulling and prying was
by no means very congenial work, and night
again come on without our having got single
boat into the water, Back again we go more
than a mile, through water, mud and dark
ness. TO encamp for the night, and such
night every article of clothing but our blank
cts wet, and a cold winters night, almost
was discomfort and hard talk about the man
agement OF this war
Thursday, the succeeding day, cloudy
and damp. but not so stormy. We were &C.
cupicd in drying our clothing most of the day,
and Just after dark the welcome order came
to be ready to march back the next day to our
old quarters. We were content with having
had severe struggle with the element,
though we had fought no rebels. Our march
back was most tedious one. We were de-
tailed to assist two batteries along through
the mud, when it was as much as each man
wanted to do to get himself and load along !;
the left wing did not get into camp till Sat-
urday afternoon and a large part of Friday
and Saturday were without rations. We
found our shanties very much as we had left
them--already for our tents to be put over
them: shall be contented to remain in
them for the present. at least "a long as the
mud is US deep as at present.
THE NEw COMMANDER.
With regard to Gen. Hookers assuming
command | think it favorable change.
Fighting oe" has always been popular with
his men and the army. Against what terri
bic odds he fought and held his ground al
Williamsburg, May 3. His taking command
Will 1nluee new CohuNthSts duh bhdh ioOi
for an entire change Of programme.
RISE In GOVERNMENT CLOTHING.
Bya recent order from the war department
the soldiers are required to allow about 2
per cent more for clothing than former
ly, and this without an increase of clothn
money, which is $3.50 per month. Shirt
that we're formerly afforded for $50 apiec
they now charge $ .46 for; drawers, forme
price soc, present price Csc; pants are So 81
old prices $500; overcoats 80 so, old price
1871. suppose this was necessary to say
the government from actual loss on the art
cles, as materials have greatly advanced.
DESERTED.
subjoin a list Of those who have meanl
deserted from our regiment during the pre-
ent month, which may be taken as fair san
pie of the manner in which our army is beir
DESIGNATED, and to show that prompt measure
are needed to arrest the progress of the evil
y