Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-07-07
From the Tenth Vei mont Regiment.
CAMP In TIE FIELD.

CAMP IN THE FIELD,
"a ~. Maryland flights, June ~.
Mr.. EDIToR IL have just fifteen minutes this
morning 10 which to drop yous line. Returning
from Washington on Wednesday, the oath inst
at half past five in the afternoon, found the
tents of odr Brigade at Camp Heintzeman'
Poolesyle, struck, knapsacks packed, wagons
loaded, and every thing ready to march in hall
an hour, in pursuance Of orders received that
morning. At precisely six the column was in
motion, taking the road up the river. We
marched four miles that evening, biyouacking Tor
the night on the banks of the Little Monocacy
creek. Reveile sounded at o'clock Thursday
morning, and after hasty breakfast Of hard
tack and coffee, lin many cases minus the col
fee,') we resumed the tramp. The day proved
rather warm, but having taken time by the
forelock,' by our early start, we had accomplished
goodly msrch, before the heat warned US that
we must moderate our pace. When within two
miles Ct Harper Ferry,-owing to failure on
the part Of the officer in command Of the cavalry
which was in advance to post guide where we
were to turn off the Sharpsburg road--we took
the wrong route, and had marched to within
mile or two Of the latter place, and very near the
rebel pickets, before our mistake was discovered.
A little farther and we should have had brush.
Relracing our steps, we once more took the river
road, and about dark reached Petersville, having
made 25 miles during the day. A rain had set
in during the afternoon, and camping upon the
wet grass, with ouly scanty supply Of hy tents
and rubber blankets wes rather tough but we
concluded it must be part Of Uncle Sans pro-
gramme, and made the best Of it. Reyeille at
3 o'clock Friday morning again, and still raining
AT 4 we we're plodding on through the mud
through Slab City, Knoxville, Sandy Hook, past
Harper's Ferry and up the steep sides Of Mary.
lrnd lights, where we pitched orr ays at about
half past & A. NJ. After dinner We moved far
Their up the mountain, where we now are. But
few tagged out during the march, though it was
the longest, rapdest, and over the toughest roads
that our Regiment has ever made.
! wish had hours to devote to description Of
our location and its surroundings, buta few words
mus! suffice for the present. Harper's Ferry,
which lies almost under cur feet, is surrounded
on all sides by mountains Maryland lights on
the east, ard Loudon and Bolivar Nights on the
west, while on the north and south are the mar
row passes through which the Potomac flows. Di-
rectIy in front Of US, between Loudon and Boil.
var Nights, the Shenandoah comes winding down
from the garden Of Virginia, emp,yng into The
Potomac at Harper's Ferry. Beyond the imme.
date vicinity of the mountains, beautiful valleys
stretch as far as the eye can reach, presenting a
most enchanting view,
The 10th is located 90 the mountain side, very
near the summit, where it is so steep that the
boys are obliged to fasten themselves to the rocks
by ropes to keep from sliding off into the Pc.
tomac. This morning awoke some four
rods lower down than where went to sleep last
night, We have to carry or water ouly-6hy
rods, over path where goat would break his
neck.
There are about $4,000 men on the Nights,
under command Of Gen, French. The position is
said to be impregnable, and Judging from the
threatening aspect Of several lOO-pounders
mounted near our camp, don't think il would be
safe for the rebels 10 venture within five miles in
any force.
We can see the rebel pieke,s out about three
miles on the Chars ton road, but they are few in
number, aud don't stray far from their earth.
works.
Early this morning we received orders to be
ready to march at a moments notice, with three
days cooked rations. We now belong to Hook :.
ers grand army, and suppose long marches and
hard fighting will be the order Of the day here
after
must close. More soon. Pr.