Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-03-20
From the Sixth Regiment.
CAMP NEAR BELL PLAIN, VA, }
March 9. 1863. {


e la in front of Ricbmond) great change:
have been wrought in our army, some
, for the better and some for the worse -
yet hope all for the best. Since The
time above referred to the Vermont Bri.
gade has experienced good many long
fatguing marches, and engaged the enc.
my several times, viz Golden's Farms,
Savage Station, White Oak Swamp,
South Mountain, Antietam and Fred
ericksburgh, su fer I'd considerable at
each OF the above named battles quite
severely in some of them. These losses
with the los occasioned by diseases that
prey upon an army, have so thnned our
ranks that we are quite small in point of
numbers, yet with few exceptions, what
we have left are the true mettle 'A,No.l.
But fancy that see these shattered
ranks filed to overfowing before many
moons shall wax and wane. Methinks
see Uncle Samuel erecting his huge
frame and thrusting out those long Draw
ny arms, and laying those old broad
looks Scared and calloused by upwards
of 80 years hard labor upon some of
those foul mouthed traitors and workers
of iniqnity. | can almost hear him say,
"Come unto me my lad, | guess I'll use
you a while. III mount an organ on
your back and present you with a shoot
ing stick and 40 rounds of cartridges"
Organ is name we give our knapsacks,
which, when filled and mounted, much
resemble baud-organ mounted on the
back of the grinder.
| imagine there will be some chafng
and foaming; also some right smart at
tempts to skedaddle. Some doubtless
will talk of showing resistance, but |
guess [ wouldn't tt mper with Uncle
Samuels authority very much-no, if |
was in your place l would come-wel,
yes, indeed I'd come.
But, Mr.. Editor, between you and l
md the whipping post, the conscript has
me great grand, sublime, exhilerating
md consoling thought in his hour of trial.
That is, he Is worth just as much to stop
ball as a volunteer. This must be
cry great source Of consolation to him,
nd must serve greatly to sooth and oaln, :
IS troubled breast.
Perhaps few lines in regard to the d.
resent condition Of Company d, Sixth
ermont Regiment, of which l bave the !;
onor of being a member, would be in
'resting 20 your readers. We report 3
6 corporals and 20 men pres
Mt ready for duty. We have enjoyed
urselves very well for the last six or
ght weeks. We have quite comfortable
narters, made by splitting out pine or ;,
ak slabs and dovetaling them together -
the corners, and then placing our shell =,
+ tents on top for roof We then dug
'wn two or three feet throwing dirt J..
Inside for banking. Most of them dig ;,
It fireplace in the side of the bank, =,
en- dig a small passage leading to the
tside to convey the smoke then place
empty meal barrel over it for chin =
Y. Many make chimneys of mud and y"
Gees of wood. Quite number have =
all sheet iron stoves. For subsistence, .,
draw soft bread from the Brigade ." ~
kerry nearly every day, a loaf to each ~
IN; also beans, rice, fresh and salt y
IF, pork, coffee, tea, sugar, hard bread We
occasionally mess of potatoes. O"
Company d has quite recently receiy- -.
several promotions. Capt. Hall pro. ~,
tied to Major; Lieut.. c. w. DWinell
'moted to Acknowledgement to be
plain of Company C; I'd Lieut.. M. y
-'A' wa
Davis promoted to lst Lieut., and /,
7rwardS to Captain of Company D; g..
+. Joslyn promoted to % Lieut.. Co. ,,o.
afterwards to lst Lieut.. Company D; nd
Serg't Ira D. McClary promoted to
Lieut., Co. d; Serg't F. NJ. Kimball ~
NOTED to Orderly Serg't, afterwards M,
ID Lieut., Co. G; Serg't E. II. Nye bav
noted to Orderly Sergt. dow
We have four sick in the regimental the
pital three Of them are getting along pris
y. l think they will be able to re. him
back to tie company in few DAYS clos
other one John Bumps of ALBANY. rife
cry sick with the lung fever. His the
very is raher doubtful-but as our it ne
are well cared for, l now entertain act
rg hopes of his recovery. guar
he company seem well satisfied with WIZ
officers which Col. futile saw Git to lty a
e IN command over them, and a gen. prom
good feeling of peace and harmony of Il
is to prevail. In regard to the Char
ge o. army commanders have but shot
to say. Time will tell whether guar
Hooker is more capable of RUNNING the