Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-01-13
FAIRrAx. Va. Dec. 81. |!

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FAIRFAX, Va. Dec. 81, 1862.
DEAR MESSENGER Last Sabbath wasa beau.
tiful day. The weather was mild and pleasant so
that the regiment were not uncomfortable IL out
door attendance upon public worship. On such
an occasion we find il pleasant worsh ping il Gods
great Church. No chapel adorned ior "a Christ
mas occasion could rival ours in impressive grand
uer and splendor The heavens above US we're
declaring the glory of God, the armament show
lag his handy work. the sun rejoicing in his strength
and the trees Of the wood clappng their hands
for JOY In such place songs Of praise from hui
man hearts and lips, seem peculiarly appropriate,
and the teachings Of "great natures holy writ"
seem to give fresh testimony and force to what he
has revealed to us in the inspired word. Awhoie
regiment Of men, quietly and attenlively listening
to the word Of God, makes an interesting and
impressive congregation. We do not wonder
that chapliins who have been accustomed
in other days Of their ministry TO deliver sermons
by reading them from manuscripts here dispense
with the lettering process q reading the sermon
and preach to those dying men a, the occasion
and the Spirit of inspiration may seem to dictate.
These public exercises are Of necessity brief, not
merely from the want Of time, but the ereum-
stances under which they are held. Here the
minister and people attend service with their
heads coyered,-not from undue reverence for sa-
cred things, nor from an over partiality for the
forms Of Quaker worship, but 10 prevent an un-
due exposure Of health. We are learning F" that
man needs but little here" Those who live n
wealth, and vainly seek to crafty the srtfcial
wants tb at society mu,iplies aud fosters, would
be surprised TO learn how hHs il requires to
meet the actual necessities Of life. Here we are
houseless and homeless, no bed Of down on which
torepose, no luxuries to regile the palate, and
yet how souudly We sleep, how keeuly we relish
the coarse st food, and how de6an,ly we can en-.
dure storm, sheltered by the narrow canvas that
covers US How much there is in habit, and es-
pecialy Of comfort in the good lesson learned by
the great Apostle that having food and raimenr
to he Herewith content.
Since leaving Camp Vermont we have been
more than usually short of appropriate reading
to meet the wants of our our regiment. a. We
had an opportunity Of getting to Washington, We
embraced the privilege of picking up what We
could there procure for this purpose Our stock
consisted mainly Of tracts and papers. Some Of
the papers were muyh past date, bu, never the
les contained valuable reading Being thus fur
nIshed we started out with our arms full design
ing to supply certain tier Of tents, bu, we we're
discovered, and the men made such rush to Us,
that We were literally surrounded and obliged to
surrender At the same time many hands we're
extended,enger for the favor Of something to read.
We told them that some o. our papers we're out
of date, but they replied no matter, any thing
to read" The last paper was soon taken and a
arge number followed US to our tent to make
sure of a supply there. We with some Of our
friends in Vermont could have witnessed the scene
and we conjecture they would chserfully aid u. in
supplying this obvious want Of camp life We
have just sent to New York Tor five dollars worth
Of tracts and papers, but this will afford US but
smallsuppy among so many.
The men Of his regiment are anxious for ae-
tive service, and this We judge to be quite needful
to keep up the spirit aud ambition oI the ro ps.
All are desirous ofseeing th. war closed, and are
ready TO peril life and do anything in their poser
to bring about such result on honorable terms.
Ii is obvious that Lees rebel army that are now
acting in the defense Of Richmond should be
overpowered without delay, il we would secure
our object, even il the strength Of our united
forces are brought 10 bear upon it. Virginia
should hr once be cleaned out of the rebel horde
that have been SO long nesting there, before We
undertake any more expeditions further south.
To effect this would be triumph to our arms,
that would give us credit abroad and 10 far to
prevent forego recognition. Our camp is now 10
tolerable health, and we have but few in hospital
those we left behind when leaving
Camp Vermont.
Ii is conjsc,ured that this recent visit Of rebel
cavalry TO this section has revealed quite fully
our strength and position 10 the enemy. aud his
possible we may have visit from them sooa in
force. On "Wednesday evening our regiments ale
again under light marching orders, and all are
busy in making preparations to leave.
To.dly there has been a sudden death in our
camp. Corporal Daniel w. Perry Of 20. ID, son
Of W. b. Perry Of Londonderry, VI, died in an
epeptic Ct. lie was taken on Tuesday evening.
and all efforts to rally his system from its fatal
grasp were Of no avail.
Some of our officers are leaving us by resgua-
ton. We learn ,h,, Capt. Sawyer and Lieut. San
born have had their resignatious accep,edI aho,
Lieut.. Sherwin Of Co. d. They do not resign
however, 10 the face Of the foe, aud we judge they
are not wanting in due courage to meet the enc.
my. II not called away by some other emsrgen-
cy, II falls to the lot Of this regiment TO 20 out
again 10 the front, on picket, tomorrow.
W.
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