Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-07-15
Our ARMY Correspondents
FROM THE sIXTH ARMY COkPS.
Man REAM's STATION,
On the Weldon n Petersburg r. I
T..s.. On 1914

-
June 20, 1864
As you will see by the date Of
this letter we have left our position where
last wrote.
BY referring to your map think you can
get good idea OF our present position. Let
me trace for you our course since crossing
the James river. We crossed the James on
a poutoon bridge not far from Fort Powhat.
tan, on Thursday Jan. 10Th. and followed
nearly the course Of the river until near City
Point, when we moved in south-westerly
direction and encamped about two miles
northeast Of the city Of Petersburg; we re-
manned in this vicinity until the night Of the
2lst. when we we're relieved from this por-
ton Of the line for the purpose of making
flank movement, the object being to cat the
railroad which we are now on
We marched all night, crossing the Peters
burg and Norfolk Railroad and struck the
Petersburg and Weldon Railroad about noon
Of the 22d, and commenced to tear up the
track, but were attacked by the enemy and
forced 20 desst II was here that nearly all
the 4th and part the lth regiments were
taken prisoners. Our operations there we're
a series Of struggles for the possession Of the
railroad track, frat we would get il, then the
enemy would have it, and then the same
would occur again. This state Of things con-
tinued until yesterday, when the 9th Corps
headed by the Vermont Brigade moved, fires
in southerly direction about four miles. and
then in westerly direction about Eve milst
and reached this Station last light at dark,
and with little or no opposition commenced
TO destroy the railroad. This work has been
going on successfully all day, and from where
/ am now writing ! can see huge volumes Of
black smoke arising from the track for miles.
| never knew before exactly how they de-
stroyed these railroads. By means of large
iron clamps the Iails are torn up, then The
sleepers or ties arc torn up aud piled up in
the middle Of the track, with the rails on top
Of them. The rails on this road are rivted
together al the ends so that there is an I'M
broken chain Of rails which is placed on top
Of the piles of ties and ret on FIRE; the ends
becoming heated they drop downward in the
centre from their own gravity, thus becoming
useless. The telegraph wires are also cut
and the destruction IS complete.
l am writing this seated 10 beautiful
grove, in which there il church and
school house, rarity in Virginia, although
they are more plenty in this part Of the State
than in any other part have been in, on the
whole the people here are far more intell-
sent and refined than have been accustomed
TO find in Virginia.
This is beautiful country -ouih of the
James, and before the war must have been
'ndving and prosperous. found great
many things upon this campaign which
wished very much to preserve as relics, but
sou must Rnow that lis impossible, for
soldier has load heavy enough TO carry Of
things which are Indispensable shall prob
ably send home few things 10y my tent mate,
whose term Of service has nearly expired.
omitted TO state that all but four Of Co.
q, 4th VI. we're taken prisoners, and among
them were Adolphus Perry and Moses Chez
scr Of Cabot Yours truly. C. B.P.