Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-07-17
From the Tenth Regiment.
CAMP NEAR FREDERICK CRY
Maryland, July 2.

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Maryland, July 2.
FRIEND EARLE,-I take the presen
opportunity to note down few lines Il
inform you once more OF our whereabout
and surroundings. Our regiment is nov
in Morris's Brigade and French's Divis
ion, which is now on its way from Mary
land Heights, where we Joined it, to joiI
the army of the Potomac. This division
is said to number 10000 men, consisting
Of heavy aud light artillery, cavalry anc
infantry. AS it may not be uninterest
ing and will enable you to better com
prehend our movements and changes,
will give a brief account of our DOING
since leaving Camp Heintzelman. The
The brigade then commanded by Col
Jewet received orders to report at Har
per's Ferry one week ago yesterday
We started from there the same day, ouI
regiment taking nothing with them buI
their blankets, fly tents, and change oil
clothing. Knapsacks and all extra lug
gage, together with the boys that were
unable to march were sent by boat to
Washington. We arrived at Harper's
Ferry Friday morning, and encamped
about half way up Maryland Heights,
which we found occupied by force Of
about $4,000 men, and very strongly for
tilted, seemingly impregnable, Any one
must visit that place to realize its strate-
gic importance as a military POSITION
From the top Of the mountain could be
seen the Shenandoah valley for miles and
the whole surrounding country, both in
Maryland and in Virginia. Fortified as
it was in every conceivable way that art
or experience could dictate, we supposed
it to be an important position, and one
that it was desirable to hold. Judge
then Of our surprise on learning as we
did on Sunday, that the position was to
be evacuated. We could hardly believe
the report even when we saw the Par
rott guns removed from the mountain
The report proved true, and early Mon
day morning commenced the process Of
evacuation. Everything that could be
removed was placed upon boats to be
sent to Washington. The hundred poun.
ders were spiked and left. A melancholy
accident occurred when they were reno
wing the ammunition and preparing TO
destroy The upper magazines. do not
know the exact cause of the accident,
but this much / do know, the magazines
exploded killing and wounding thirty
men that were al work removing shells.
The explosion shook the mountain like a
reed and threw a shower Of stones, frag-
ments Of shell and dirt, down TO where
our regiment was, hitting several, but in
ficting no serious injuries. Those that
suffered most by the disaster were Ma
ryland troops. We left the place about
two o'clock p. Nj. The policy of this
movement do not know, but presume it
was not deemed expedient to hold the po-
siiion when the enemy were SO far in lis
rear.
The boys of Co. X are generally en-
joying good health and spirits, though
feeling little tired TO day. The inclem-
cncy of the weather has added great
deal 10 the labor of marching, as il has
rained almost necessarily since we left
Camp Heintzelman, and some Of the time
we have marched in a drenching rain,
with blankets and clothing saturated.-
To day the weather is fair and we are
drying our blankets.
We have not received a mail since we
TO march, but l am in hopes
We shall soon get where we shall.
Yours truly,
J. N. DAGGETT.