Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-02-05


this to quench our burning thirst. and
that was all, consisting often Of not more
than a pint. The river was only miles
distant, and not man Of any respect or
: spunk, in the regiment, but who would
joyfully have gone to the river daily, and
filled his canteen, but in order to do this,
it was necessary to get pass, signed by
the officer commanding Co., and counter
signed by the General, which. though at
tempted very often, almost as often failed.
These remarks are made to present a
sample of the circumstances in which
this unfortunate regiment has been sue
cessively placed, ever since it came from
the barracks of Rutland Fair Ground.
There is fault somewhere, and a great
one, though it may be very difficult to at
tach it to any particular individuals,
though I will say that while we were in
the vicinity of New Orleans very many
thought that some of our trials came from
a particularly source. OF this have moth
ing to write. 1t is to be hoped that in
good time, means will be taken to clear
away whatever of suspicion or doubt there
may be concerning the honor and patriot
ism of this regiment.
But we did not remain long in this
camp. The 18th of October we were on
the march for Camp Vearnoy, where we
arrived after a long days march, and pitch
ed some of our tents, and the next did all
we could to get ourselves as comfortable
as possible once more. We were better
pleased here than in our former place, and
justly, for it was much nearer good water.
and more elevated, with very wide and
deep drain dug through the centre of our
camp, that conveyed away the water in
case of q storm. 1t was much nearer
Carrolton, and very near railroad sta
ton, with the cars passing a dozen times
a day. Here we saw more of the COM
mon business of life, and usually were
more cheerful and happy. Our regiment
stayed here about month during which
time was unfit for duty. .
On the 18th of Nov. we started for New
Orleans, expecting to take ship there for
Pensacola, one of the so-cal)ed, healthiest
places on the Gulf Coast; situated in
west Florida about 25 miles from the
state of Alabama, and forty from secesh
Mobile. When we got to New Orleans We
were disappointed in starting Immediate
ly for Florida We were turned into
large pile of buildings called cotton
press This is below the main part of the
city, and is erected in the shape of an OBJ
long square with space of ground in the
centre, about an acre in extent, and SINH
lar to the court of an eastern dwelling.
The sides of the buildings fronted the in
+. terror space were open, being little or no
better for shelter than many Vermont
cattle shed, and leaving us unprotected
against the cold winds that, during our
|
stay there blew almost continually from
the North, North West. Here the chill
fever, and the like, came on worse than
ever. Violent colds were taken by some
of the men, from which they never recov-
cred. With the exception of the cold,
the weather was fine for three days of our
stay here, but on the fourth day, just as
it was found necessary for us to start for
Pensacola, after, to us, an unaccountable
delay we were packed up, bag and bag
gage, marched down to the wharf in
cold driving rain storm, and compelled,
at the wharf, to stand for ga of an hour
before we could be directed on board and
even then all of us, except those who
were unable to stand, were kept on an
open deck of little steamer, for two
days and nights, in the storm above men
toned.
The officers of the boat thought it not
safe to put out into the gulf at night, and
as we could not get there until after dark,
with the tempest increasing, we stopped
at the great sand-bar until very early the
next morning then'put out into the deep
dark old Mexico. 1t stormed all day.
The sufferings of the men on deck was very
great, especially among the more feeble
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