The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-01-22
From the Old Brigade.

ASAAA WV >>AN ~ ASuNS'
THE VETERANS RE-ENLISTING
BRANDY STATION, Va, Jan. t, 1864.
To the Editor Of the Caledonidn:
Knowing of no other way to SEIZURE visit
from that old and familiar friend THE GALE
DOMAIN, in this justly and terribly scourged
region. now write to ask You to send /:
along.
There is nc news of particular interest to
write, though we are wanting by no means
in camp rumors, hich are made to order
last week having Lee with his whole army
up the Shenandoah valley menacing Harper's
Ferry. or contemplating raid into Pennsyl-
vania again. This week, he is crossing the
Kapidan, to break through the front and de-
s,rey the supplies at this post. But they
seem to excite very little a:tention-while
things move on about as usual when an army
is in winter quarters. The men are all feel
ing well and getting fat on plenty of good
rations, with just exercise enough, by the
way of ricketing, furnishing wood and ordi-
nary camp duties, to promote health and
vigor.
The greatest enthusiasm prevails through
out the entire army in regard to prosecuting
the war. Thousands, more even than the
most sanguine expected, are re-enlistng. In
many instances, whole regiments, and some
from every reg iment. Everything is SO diff
ferent, the thermometrical indications of feel
ing are so much more favorable, than one
year ago, that it is cheering to be in the
midst of these reteraa heroes and mark the
change. Many deserters from the rebels
come into this post, ard all agree in their
accounts of the destitute, discouraged and
miserable condition of Lees army. They
say the rations are very short, while at this
time, in winter quarters, they should be full
If ever-that thousands are deserving and
that thousands more whose term of enlist
ment expires in TIE spring, will then 60 home
and defend themselves against CONSUMPTION.
Some deserters whom enquired of never
heard of the Proclamation of Amnesty Others
had and came over to take advantage of it,
The large and beautiful plantation of John
Minor Bolts, of whose prosecutions for his
Union principles w have heard so much, is
situated upon the line of the railroad. about
half way between here ard Culpepper. The
government are paying him generous pre-
MUM for his passive. and quiescent Loyalty.
with strong guard to protec: his buildings,
farms, orcharding and timber. Rlmor has
it that they have paid him $4,000 for the
timber upon one lot of land, for which in
this locality, no man. for TWENTY-FIVE years
past or to come, could realize $1,000.
| have just ret ,rnei from a visit TO the Isl
Vt Cavalry. Found them in good health
and spirits. Lt-Col. Preston and Major
Wells were tn only field officers in camp
two being in Vermont, and one in Richmond
This regiment found the same difficulty IN
re-enlisting that our infantry regiments expe-
rienced. the failure Of the officers even, t.
sift out from the multiplicity OF conflicting
orders the required definite information
box
pledging the required number to ensure their
return 10 Vermont in BODY, and their con-
and the proper oHicia! returns made, but b,
some shuttiIng of the cards, two other reg
'nents that reported afterwards, got their
'urloughs and went home. so the matter with
with our boys lost its interest an: now onl,
about 100 or 10 ave re-eniisted. They
are on very friendly terms vi,h the rebf
A., force, that picksts opposite them on the Rap
J idan, conversing treely with them across tn,
stream, with no tir!ng-while between IT,,
! rebs and other regiments, firing commence
immediattl " on sight. A concession secnreC
to our regiment, by dirt Of perseverance AM
nard fighting, making tn: t.eacherous reb
! feel some respect for true melit
| Whisky is now. As ever, the bane of thu
soldier. For two days a guard has bee,
marching about here four unfortunate fel
lows labelled on their backs Thief Drunk.
One of them no. liking the treatment, drew
large jack-kni!e upon the guard. bur the pre-
sentation of the bayonet quickly brought hin
to feeling sense of the dangerous point h
mad reached. But there is no remedy, tn
evil must be endured, so long as suffers ar
allowed to furnish liquor to officers, or it /
allowed as a part 81 their stores-f0r if tn
private who has an appetite for It, canno
Duy it, he sill steal ii. The suffers are do
ing an extensive business now, getting al
their goods over the railroad, SIX loading
car to this post for $50, and the government
teams taking their freight to their variou
camps.
The Christian and Sanitary Commissions
both, have large depots here and an efFec,iv
working force, and are doing great and goo,
work. But fear am extending this lette
beyond the length OF Your patience,-so vii
stop, tor may wish to write you again.
Yours, &C.. r.