Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-04-21
From the Vermont Brigade.
MAR BRANDY STATION, VA.,(
ftsAnril IL. 1884. q

ldiy forward, though IL must not be sup
posed they have just commenced, They
began when the army went into winter
quarters on the Sd of December, and
since that time, though externally all
has been quiet, a vast deal of work has
been performed. Unserviceable ordnance
has been repaired or replaced by new,
all wagons, ambulances, caisons, gun
carriages, ETC., have been repainted and
repaired, and all unserviceable animals
sent to Washington to recuperate while
their places are filed with new ones
In fact everything pertaining to the ar
my has been carefully inspected and put
in marching and lighting order. When
the weather would admit. the men have
been subjected TO long and fatiguing
drills both for instruction and exercise
Thus treated an army does not deteriorate
in camp, but improves daily in health
and discipline. DE
Recently, however, certain measures
have been taken which point more di-
rectly to immediate movements. On the
18th inst. all surplus baggage was sent
to Alexandria to be stored, and today
the suffers packed up all unsold goods
and started for Washin on If found
within the lines of the army after
tomorrow their goods will be confiscat-
ed and themselves set to work on
the fortitications. 1t is not probable
that the Government will get many
cheap iaborers in this way After all
that has been said Of suffers we think
them the least deserving the abuse they
receive, Of all that large class Of persons
who are making fortunes from the gov
eminent and the army Lately their
prices have not been exorbitant, consid-
ering the personal and pecuniary risks
they encounter, and many of them dis
play courage and enterprise worthy of
a better cause. | must confess we are a
little sorry to see them leave this morn
ing, for the commissary's bill Of fare
is quite limited, and pork and hard tack
are not very desirable for steady diet
in the summer months. But "hunger is
the best sauce" and exercise is nearly as
good, so we shall not be likely to want
an appetite. -.s.e,,-.ss .sTg
We have had few days Of comparatively
pleasant weather, and drills and reviews
are again in order Our brigade was re
viewed day before yesterday, by Gen.
Getty, our new division commander
His reviews differed from some we have
attended. in this, that the object OF the
general seemed rather to see than to be
seen. OF Gen. Getty we know but little
save from his appearance, which, how
ever speaks strongly in his favor The
division now consists of four brigades
You were correct in stating that the
Vermont brigade is now the I'd Brigade,
I'd Division, 9th Corps, and might have
added that it has retained that designa-
ton since June, 1862. Few if any brig
AIDES this army have remained intact
and preserved their numerical designa-
ton so long. We had been thinking for
some time that we wanted Brgadier
and the appointment of Col. Grant whose
history is so closely identified with that
of the brigade, seems universally salts
factory. 1t is certainly gratifying in
these days of political engineering, to
know that it is still possible to win pro-
motion by deserving it. ~ ~ -l...,'
The transfer of the old Third corps to
the Second has been followed by ncon-
duct prejudicial to good order and mill
tary discipline" on the part of some Off
GERS and men of the former who persist
in treating with disrespect the badge of
Of the Second corps. The old Third
was justly proud of its reputation and
not being accustomed to lower its col
ors to the enemy, finds it difficult to
yield up its organization and its distinc-
ton badge, borne on it's brigade, divis-
ion and corps colors on many well fought
fields, to rival in the contest for fame,
Nothing serious is likely to result from
it, brlt the III feeling engendered is GER
tainly to be regretted, "A, G.
mn u r, Rrry