Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-07-08
Our army Correspondence.
rpnM rur rENrH REn1MENT.

sKmstsu LrNR, CHtcHAuoVfNY SwANrs, |
near Coal Hatbot. Va June u, 1884.
II you we're here you would |
think this was queer place TO write letter,
but never mind, ! must do something TO keep
awake though the rebels are but fifty rods
in front ofus, we are apt 10 get sleepy lying so
STILL so will write awhile to keep awake.
II you could not read the papers would
tell you about the brilliant charge we made
on the afternoon Of the lat inst, when our
regiment alone captured over 700 prisoners;
also Of the murderous fire we we're under on
the 80 while marching 10, and intrenching
ourselves on an elevated position in front Of
the enemy's works but knowing If | were
to attempt it could not do justice to 1t, will
let you find out all you can by the papers,
and tell you all when ! get home. Among
the boys wounded from Brook6eld were ID.
Lyman, lost a finger II. freeman, arm; c.
Reed, wounded three times, last time mortally;
latter being wounded twice and returning to
the front he remarked "three times and out,"
at the same time taking the shovel and while
throwing the first shovelful be was struck by
a bullet in the breast.) Two Of us took him
to the rear and the report Of the Surgeon was
he could not long survives
The night we made a charge, bullet hit
my leg above the knee, scarcely noticed 1t
at the time except il smarted we'll, next day
was some lame but am all right now and out
here in the bush ready to catch another il
Providence so orders Our company has lost
twenty.four killed and wounded since cross
ing the Rapidan the regiment some over
200. We suffered the most on the Sd while
throwing up the entertainments, losing over
80 in less than four hours Capts. Frost.
Blodgett and Hunt were wounded. Capt
Darrah, Co. d, was killed Monday, leaving
but one Capt in the Regiment. We en-
trenched ourselves and held the ground ten
days. For our night work, we dug another
line of entertainments within twenty rods of
the rebel works and held that too, [ guess if
we had not been relieved we should in few
DAYS more undermined them completely We
were relieved about midnight last night by
old Vermont Brigade, and went to the rear
for the fret time since we came here got
there about daylight, cat some breakfast and
laid down hoping to get good sleep, but
the fortunes Of war often change our expect
atoms After a short nap, we were aroused
to 90 upon toe skirmish line, and here am,
IN dense swamp, mud three feet deep, have
got platform of poles to keep me out of the
mud, and breastwork Of logs in front, | am
surrounded on all sides by the gay denizens
OF the forest, such as mocking birds and other
varieties Of iesthered songsters bullfrogs as
large as milkpail, while in front are the
gteybacks thick as heas ON a blanket. Once
ia a while they get into good humor and
shout to us from their pits " How are ye
lauks ~ how do you feel now ~ &c. Yes
terday they put out white handkerchief and
we went our half way and snapped coffee and
sugar with them. We made an agreement
with them not to have any more picket firing
unless we first began. IL was quiet the rest
of the day their relief party Of North Caro-.
lima troops however disregarded the arrange
ment and commenced firing pretty sharp, and
VIC soon replied in good earnest. The firing
has been brisk on some parts Of the line all
day We in the swamp do not get many
shots, have had but three since daylight,
and they al show they did not calculate the
distance. for every one went six feet over my
head. But worst of all are these Chickahom-
my musketoes, they are big as humming
bird and have got bite like rattlesnake.
] have just knocked one down with the butt
Of my rife that weighed-well didn't weigh
him, but should Judge he might have weigh
ed 10 lbs If he had been little bigger.
Sunday morning, l2h.-Another sleeplesS
night has passed and morning finds me in my
old position. Musketry firing all night. 1t is
Sunday. but no one seems to know il. In
stead of the sound of the church going bell,
we hear only the sound Of musketry and the
whiz Of tullets as they puss, while at inter
walls shell passes over our heads and bursts
in the enemys Notifications causing ske-
daddling in all directions. But this is not
to be so great while longer, ere many weeks
some of us expect to be in sight OF a meeting
house, if nothing more, We are going into
Richmond this time, and Grant is the man t.
lead the way, the boys have great confidence
in aim and will endeavor to follow where
Ulyssus leads the van.
Friends az home seem quite forgetful o
the boys here. Our letters are few and fai
between, expect you are all very busy anC
excuse yourselves for the want of time, but
have to write with one hand and work will
the other. A leisure hour at night might b
employed in writing word of encourage
ment. Let brothers and sisters and all tn
young ladies often drop us word Of encou'
agement and to deeds Of greater valoT it vii
incite us. You dom have To 20 on picket ever
night or pack your furniture and six or eigh
days rations and strap them on your bac
and travel all night. write in no complaint
mood, and ii we can be remembered at HON
l feel that l can stand it,athough the road
rough and the rations tough, give the tool
and we are enough to dig our way to Rich
mond.
PotNr or Rocks,
On the Appomptiox River, June 10.
Failing to forward this letter ] have oppoi
Died on board ship before arriving at New York.
tunity to add some particulars of our lat
movements. Another hauklng operation, Ii
first notice had oft found myself almo
alone on the skirmish line about o'clock
the morning, the army leaving the night b.
fore at 9 o'clock. We crept off one at tin
leaving the rebels at work throwing up breas
works not ten rods from us. We travele
all that day and the day following reache
the James River twelve miles below Cit
Point; went aboard the transports Thursda
night and came up the river, stopping at Cit
Point and Bermuda Hundred. Went on u
TO Point of Rocks, where we found the enem
in force. We are strongly fortified and
are they. Last night our Brigade was
dered out to draw them from their worl
came upon their skirmish line, and for viii
the firing was very sharp. We fell back b.
they did not follow. We spread our blanke
and laid down for ,he night, but were 500
aroused and ordered to pack up. The who
division moved out into the field and iormt