Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-10-02
From the Ninth Regiment.
Fort YORKTOWN, VA,
September 10, 1868. {


y ticn. We wish the captain would writ
t. oftener. His letters may not be very il
teresting to himself, but to the friends 6
home who have brothers and sons in hi
company they are of inestimable value
We hope he will act upon our hint an
> write US once in while.-ED.
Rev. Sri haye often thought t
write you since | left Irasburgb, but hav
failed to do so chiefly through fear that
could not sufficiently interest you. You
have undoubtedly tracked our wandering
as regiment and know something of on
trials and priyaiions, as we'll as of on
enjoyments-for soldiers life is not al
hardship; we have very many pleasant
happy hours.
From the time we were mustered into
the U. S. service, July 8, 1862, to the
time we were taken prisoners at Harp
er's Ferry, Sept. 18th, our duties were
very ardnous. At Winchester for about
six weeks the spade and pick were al.
most our only weapons of warfare
These we piled with diligence for ten
hours per day, and this too under a bur-
ming Virginia sun. During most of this
time we had no soft bread, and being I'M
used to "hard tack" the boys grumbled
some, and many were sick. We worked
few less hours on Sundays, which gave
US time generally to attend religious
meetings. There was preaching in the
brigade nearly every Sabbath, and So
cial prayer meeting in the evening
These were we'll attended, and several for
the first time made profession of Christ.
Our meetings were of course held in the
open air usually in a grove or under
some shade trees, wherever it was most
convenient. At Harper's Ferry our OPP
Iportunilies for such meetings were less,
still our chaplain had short services at
times, and we had one or two prayer
meetings in the hospital. From the time
we were taken prisoners till about the
middle of December, religious feeling
seemed to be very low. Weighed down
by our mislortunes, traduced at home
poorly sheltered and fed, and subjected
to all the vicious temptations of a large
city, the moral condition of our regiment
was truly depIorable. All heart was lost,
ard men seemed almost to vie with each
other in sinful practices. But God heard
our prayers and manifested Himself toll
US in a wonderful manner. He discov-.
cred our condition to the Young Mems
Christian Association of Chicago, and
they took the matter in hand. Volun-
teers were called for from their number,
20 hold religious meetings in the chapel at
Camp Douglas every evening of the
week. CHE chapel had been previously
built by their means and efforts.) These
were we'll attended from the
first, and a spirit Of revival began soon
10 be manifested. Many backslders re
newed their promise, and numbers were
nquiring the way to heaven. A Sabbath
School was organised and well sustained.
The meetings were continued with in
reased interest for several weeks. Re.
Tiers and haters of the cause made sew !
raj efforts to break up or seriously dis
urb our meetings, and on one or two &C. q
asions the building was assaied with f
lubs and stones, but this did not impede
he good work. / am happy to say that
think none of our regiment were en- G
,aged in such undertakings.
Early in January the rebel prisoners O
we're brought to the camp, and our chap, t
i had to be given up as hospital for t
hem. From that time till the time of
ur removal to the field, we had our Sab i
'ath meetings in the different company +
uarters, and social prayer meetings once $
nd sometimes twice a week in some of c
be officers quarters. n
Since leaving Chicago cur opportuni- h
les for meetings have been small. Our |
baplain has been sick quite a portion of
be time, and much of the time our du> 0
es have been such as to leave but few t
len for Sabbath services, still we have '
hort services in the regiment nearly ev- e
ry Sabbath and prayer meetings at the o
laplain's quarters in the evening" G
'hese are often very interesting, and not c
is a new member added to n
If number. So you see, my dear friend, e
lat God has been very good to us, and t.
as never forgotten us, though we have is
ten forgotten Him. Pray for US that if
g may live nearer to Him. n
Our regiment now numbers but few g
'er five hundred in all, and but about
lie third of those are fit for duty. There
e few dangerously sick, but very many y
I'VE fever and ague, which keeps them u