The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-04-22
From the Ninth Regiment.


NE"POhl, y. u, April {, loof.
Editor of The Caledonian
Are you not getting anxious to hear from
the 9th Vt. again. We have had fast day
and it is over. had hoped that we were
going to be permitted to join with the good
people of Vermont in prayer. We had last
Sabbath OF. dress parade an order read IA
copy of which l send enclosedD inviting all
the troops in this command to join with the
9th Vermont in celebrating our time honored
custom OF fasting and prayer in obedience to
the Governors proclamation which was also
read, We looked forward to this day with
something akin to reverence; here in North
Carolina We were to be assembled and unite
our voices with yours in prayer and suppl
cation. The day arrived, and as if to cheer
US, the sun which for some days had been
hidden behind rain filled clouds, shone forth,
bright and beautiful, as if to assure US that
our cause was just our motives pure. The
morning was spent in busy PREPARATION
Boots were BACKED, equipments were polish
ed and frightened, guns were cleaned un-
til the handling of them would not soil the
whitest glove; every one seemed to take
pride in appearing free from dirt or stain.
Guard mounting at 9 o'clock was gone
through with as usual, except that i: was
noticed the men all looked more trim and
felt more cheerful by far than usual and now
expectation Was on tip-toe, ali were eager to
be first to hear the soul-stirring music of our
really excellent drum corps, which should
call US to :" fall in and pass in review before
our bully Colonel previous to divine SER
vice, which was to be conducted bv our zeal
Gus, Woodworking and patriotic Chaplain.
But alas for human expectations in the army,
how often are We doomed to disappointment,
how often does our highest hopes. our no.
blest aspirations prove in the end bitterness
We received an order, that We would have
company drill at 10 o'clock, battalion drill >
Now know We all who are ignorant of sol
dier's duties in camp, that our duties were
thus doubled. Well, We have lived through
tive have had gay old battalion drill, -
the first one engaged in since the regiment
received its accession of new recruits,-the
weary are comforted by the assertion conf
IDENTITY stated by some that fast day comes
but once year. Oh We dear friends at home.
have you to-day, as you gathered to your &C
customed places Of worship, as you sat in
your comfortable pews, as YOU listened to the
preaching of Gods word, as sweet strains Of
music hoated over and around YOU, have you
thought of the soldier perilng his life in
vonr defence; and let me- tell you this a~>er-
non is not poetic one. You have paid us
well, but all man has will he give for his
life. And you young men and maidens, as
you perchance went gliding Ger the snow to
the music Of merry bells, as you enjoyed the
rich teasts of our Vermont forests, did YOU
think of some absent enc with whom YOU
would gladly have shared your pleasure and
your sugar? All these questions think |
can answer for you know the boundless
generosity with which By kind words anu
ready hands you are ever ready to minister
to our wants, and am content Should my
lie be spared to It's foil three score and ten.
| shall ever be proud that had the honor,
(although not Eermoner) of serving with
Nermonters in this war for freedom. Friends
at home you are the the connecting link be
tween US and heaven. Continue to sustain
US by your prayers and words of cheer, and
the clouds break away, or we are shattered
by the bolt.
There is nothing of interest Transporting in
this department. We learn through Ne.
York City papers that We are and have been
closely beses,d, ana thank them for the in
/ formation as il serves to keep US on the alert
Our gallant colonel, Edw. II. Ripley is nov
transferred from the command of the post
to the temporary command of the 7ub-dis-
trict, during the absence of Col. Jordan. We
fear we may lose him. as he is very popular,
and is the stuff of which brigadiers should
be made. The regiment is very healthy now
only II men in the hospital, and most of
/ them with the shakes. In fact fever and
asue is our onl y dread they are getting 70 be
/ quite popular, but mostly confined to the old
soldiers, who, from the hardships they have
already undergone are more susceptible to
! the disadvantage of climate under which We
labor, than those of US who have more re-
Gently brought with US from Vermont a sound
vitality. For camp rumors, we have one
that We are going to be stationed at Yer
gennes to protect government property from
! English invasion, another that we are soon
to be mounted, both of which find their be-
Levers. OK.
HEADQUARTERS NEWPORT BARRACKS. !
| n. C.. April 3, 1864.
General order, No. 5. His excellency the
governor Of the state of Vermont. having by
proclamation appointed the eth day of April
day of fasting and prayer to be observed
throughout our state: the colonel command
iag deeming the soldiers Of Vermont in the
field will feel it not Oily their duty to join