Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-05-06
FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT
49,, ~v.p npaNpv STATrog
OAMF MAX bkANU1 oIhIIVN
Va. April 29th, 1864.


Dear Journdl-We are still on the same
ground we occupied in November last, soon
after the battle of Rappahannock, having been
absent from it one week on the expedition
over the Rapidan near the last of November,
and without breaking camp, four days about
the Let Of March on the reconnoisance TO
Madison Court House. The preliminary re-
views and inspections have taken place, all
extra goods and baggage been sent to the
rear, including the canvas Of our rude chapels,
beneath which we have often gathered for
mental and spiritual improvement, leaving
the bare walls to mark the consecrated spots,
and, it can hardly be contrabaDd TO say we
expect next week will witness our advance
and encounter on some new field OF blood
with the traitor hosts Of onr willy and dcs-
perate foe, when the almost dictator sword OF
our lsader will be tried against the one great
Chieitain of the rebellion. Misgivings Of sue
cess even now may be proper, but with our
assured strength. and the prestige of our lea
der, we may reasonably hore for decisive VIC
tory over the desperate legions Of treason,
and the fnal deliverance of the Old Dominion
from its iron thrall. Blood and sorrow may
lie between VA and such contamination, yet
how bright is our present prospect compared
with that year ago this morning, when we
gazed across the Rappahannock on the battle
plain of sad memories, with gloomy forebod-
ings, soon to catch glimpse Of sunshine on
Maries Heights and then plunge into dark
er tn IN the natural night which shrouded us
at Banks Ford, night whose dawn arose
only on the CORY heights of Gettysburg
Here on the threshold of conflict, beyond the
mist and gloom Of the valley Of tribulstions
below, rises the acme OF our hopes resplen-
dant in as unclouded sunlight as this morn
ing gilds the leating trees, expands the bios
SONS of the peach, the pear, the cherry. and
opens the buds of the lilies.
Spring is upon US in smiling beauty, bright
enisg the few GASES amid the desolstions Of
wal Roads are now dry and bid fair to re-
main so, the weather has not yet heat to cause
languor, and all is ready to join our coopera-
ting columns in the grand movement, which
movement in time, place and manner. is a
sealed secret with our leaders. We have
however one cause Of dissatisfaction con-
Irsry to our expectations and what we sup
posed our plain case, we are not to be dis
charged at June LIST as we were sworn In to
be, but on Sept goth, three years from mus
ter, but perhaps we still may be on exception
al grounds. The decision Of the Department
referred to in late order of Gen. Meade, that
none should be discharged till after three
years Of service, may allow exceptions but
most probably was intended expressly to meet
them. and seems an arbitrary disowning of
the acts of authorized agents, and an inten-
tional act Of injustice, though other motives
may have prompted it. But we can swallow
our disappotntments, and serve faithfully the
disputed remnant Of time, if our services are
30 important that to secure them il is neces-
sary to violate pledges and disappoint our
hopes. Rather than do 80, few il any, would
stain their past fair record with the appear
ance, or even the suspicion of mutiny, and
the threat Of severest measures" to force
delinquents is more absurd than insulting.
II the campaign should prove highly success
full, it might alleviate our disappointment to
share in its trinmpbs, rather than leave before
its contamination, but we should still prefer
the fulfilment of the contract, to an arbitra
~ construction OF it. Still it is fair pre-
sumption that no injustice is intended, and i
our hopes have been false we cannot complain
at sharing the common path. Whatever ma,
be our own lot. may our arms soon win tn,
gusrdon Of peace, to smile over the ruins o.
the shock and strife. Yours, s.