Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-06-24


Va, June 9th, 1864
Mr Editor. 1t is now some time since
last addressed your readers through your pa
per, aud they may reasonably expec; in so
eventful time as the present, some thrllipg
account Of personal adventure, bnt my time
has been occupied with the less mduous and
dangerous, though perhaps the no less inn
portant work Of caring for the wounded. On
the 9th of May the secon day after crossing
the Rapidan, was wounded in the neck and
went to the rear. From the field hospital
went with other wounded men to Fredericks.
burg, at which place we arrived on the morn.
ing Of the 9th. Most If not all Of the public
buildings, aud many private residences we're
filed with wounded soldiers. was sent to
the hospital Of the Sd division of the 6th
corps u the Baptist Church, where was de-
tailed as nurse as soon as my wound would
admit. The wounded were as well cared for
as circumstances would admit. but there
met have been much suffering IL we had re-
ceved no aid from the Sanitary ard Christian
Commissions. As 1t was there was a scant
supply Of medical stores, to say nothing OF
short raions. from which both the wounded
and their nurses suffered alike. Many died
from wounds which under more favorable
circumstances might not have proved fatal.
On the evening Of the 22nd the worst oases
were moved from the Baptist Church to the
field hospital in the outskirts Of the town,
where it was thought that they ~oud have
better care, and enjoy the advantage of pure
air in the large tents which we're there pre-
pared for their accommodation. All this was
done with the expectation that the location
was too be permanent, but as it proved il
ftV ka nA.1 80,
have remained 10 the hospital in town, as
they would have been taken to Washington
sooner. and their stay at the field hospital
was to short for them to derive any benefit
from the change. On the 20 h all the patients
were taken to the landing aud carried aboard
the transports provided for their conveyance
to Washington. Tue nurses hoped to obtain
passage on the transports to Port Royal. but
we're disapp We remained at Fred
erlcksburg until the 2stb and then at7l2
O'Clock m we Commence our march for
Pou Royal BY some mistake we failed TO
take the most direct road. and marched ac-
cording to the general estimate. twenty five
miles, and then encamped within IL miles
Of Port Royal. The next morning we entered
the town with the expectation of being AIKEN
to White House Landing on the transports,
glers were ordered into camp outside OF the
town. Here we remained until the |. &. and
then at o'clock a. m broke camp ami start
cd tor Bowling Green. where we arrived At
! 2 O'Clock p m, aud enc4mped until
o'clock the next morning. when we resumed
our march. forded the Pamunky At / l o'clock
a m, then rested until p. m. when we re-
oeived marching orders again. We had hard
la ga haf b..
burst upon US, 10 which We marched for near
ly three hours and then pitched our tents
about a mile beyond Hanover Court House
THIS was hardly done before we received
marching orders again, as it was considered
necessary to make a forced march TO escape
an attack from the rebels who we're lowering
about our rear. This nights march 10 almost
inky darkness, at times through mad twelve
inches deep, with apprehensions Of al attack
from guerrillss, will be remembered by many
a. one Of the severest in their experience.
At o'clock a. m. we arrived at handsome
white house with large yard in front. and
our men at once spread their blankets ,nder
the trees and shrubbery with which the
grounds were adorned. was so fortunate
as to secure a place in an out building, where
after taking of my shoes, well filled with mud,
NiHPPtt hllutAi III my piAuhct eitpt
soundly for three hours, when we received
orders 10 resume our march. We entered
our lines at Q a. m. and we're conducted first
TO Burnside's Headquarters, where the 9th
corps men we're assigned to their respective
regiments Late in the afternoon we were
taken to the Army Headquarters, where we
remained under guard until the 5th, when we
were examined and those who could give
satisfactory account Of themselves sccompan-
led with sufficient proofs were sent to the
headquarters Of their corps, Division Brig
AIDES. and last Of all of their regiments.
found my company at the front occupying the
second line " breastworks. Upon VII CHI the
re bells kept constant iusilsde Of musketry,
many Of The balls striking the tEees around
Us, but doing us no harm. At IL m, we
were ordered back to the rear, and with the
exception Of the front parapet ell Of the lines
OF brea-twofks were vacated. TO give place it
is said FOR large siege guns now on their way
from White House.
Hoping that this campaign may reach
successful termination, aud that | may be
spared to write many letters for your paper,
subscribe myseif
CoNsoRIPT.