Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-01-22
Our armp Correspondence.
A CONSCRIPT'S LETTERS.-No. 8.
CAMP NEAR BRANDY STATION, !


Va, Jan. 7, 1864.
Mr.. Ediior.-Many of the regiments on
their return from their last campaign acros,
the Rapidan, were allowed to re-occupy their
old quarters, where they could prepare foI
winter, finishing what they had begun, or en-
joying the benefit of what they had already
completed; but the I'd VI. owing to the I'M
healthy location of its camp, its contiguity to
other regiments, whose united wants for fuel
and building purposes would too soon exhaust
the already scanty supply of timber in their
immediate vicinity, and perhaps for other and
weighter reasons not known by your CORE
spondent, remained a; the old camp no lon
ger than was Necessary to look up more Ca
yoTabe location this was found about one
and one half miles eastward, and at 9 O'Clock
A. NJ. the 5tl of December, with well filled
knapsacks, and loaded with articles of con-
venence or comfort which could not be pack
ed inside our knapsacks, for we were going as
supposed into winter quarters, and it was
no longer necessary as upon previous marches,
to divest ourselves Of every superhuous
weight, we moved to the place chosen as
the site Of our new camp. Immediately on
our arrival we received instructions from the
Colonel to build our shanties at least nine
feet in length, at distances Of four feet, with
their sides facing the company streets. doors
in front and chimney in the rear. After ma
king selection of building spots, those who
had axes commenced cutting poles or splitting
out slabs where poles were used they were
laid up log house style, and the interstices
filed with mud, but the split slabs were usu-
ally driven perpendicularly into the ground
The former way is the most expeditions, but
the latter, all things considered, is to my mind
preferable. An opening was always left in
the rear of the shanty, generally opposite tht
door, for fire place and chimney. The dimen.
sions of the FIRE place differ of course accord
ing to the ideas of their different architects,
but they are usually about two feet wide and
extended about two and half feet outside the
shanty. A frame work Of split slabs or small
logs laid up and locked together log house
style, is made extending as high as the caves
of the shanties, and here the chimney begins,
which is laid up in the same style to any de-
sirable height, growing smaller and smaller
toward the top. which is often surmounted by
a barrel. The inside is we'll plastered with
Virginia mud, first worked over until it at
tains the consistency of good mortar. Two
or three coats may be required, as it cracks
in drying when dry it is as hard as stone,
and fire proof. Many use nothing but mud
reason where the mud cracks, 1t is no uncom-
mon thing for the wood work of the chimney
to take fire. The safest way is to line the fire
place with stone. To secure a good draught,
the fire place should be laid up perpendicu-
larly about three feet and then drawn in five
or six inches. When the house is finished
and covered with its canvass roof. and warm
fire blazes in its FIRE place, the soldier has but
little reason to complain on the score of com
fort, while the pure air he inhales is healthier
by far than that of the close oyerheated rooms
at home. lt.I ltI.
The above description is predatory to the
account of my own first experience as house
builder When we arrived at our new camp
ground the Orderly pointed out spot at the
front end Of the Company street, where he
said ! could build. Soon one Of my tent
mates was detailed on fatigue duty tor one of
the company officers, and the other went back
to the old camp to obtain some articles which
had been left behind, while remained to take
charge Of our knapsacks, accoutrements &C.,
and TO make observations and do what work
l could. As had no axe of my own and
of course could not borrow one so long its
owner stood in need of its services, all that
could be done was to pitch my shelter tent,
and be in readiness to improve the first oppor-
tunity that might present ITSELF. The next
day was detailed to carry timbers for the
Captains tent f; in the meantime the best tim
Der in the immediate neighborhood of the
camp was fast disappearing, while some rheu-
matte pains, and a severe cough occasioned by
lying on the ground and exposure to the hight
air, warned me TO make such preparations az
the increased severity ofthe weather required,
without delay. Still no axe could be pro-
cured, and the stock OF building materials we
obtained with our Ratchet was limited to a
few poles for posts, plates and string pieces,
and the bed. with few boards and Stats taken
from picket fence with our poles we made
the frame work of the house, consisting OF four
posts four feet in height, with plates nine feet
and string pieces six feet in length but with
out stills. Our boards we're then cut in lengths
of about IL feet, driven into the ground
six inches, and nailed at the top to the plates
and string pieces. These with the pickets
covered the front aide and one end. At last
we were fortunate enough to procure an axe
with which we split out slabs what we needed,
and carried them on our shoulders TO the
camp,--no snail task. We now began to set
the time when our house would be completed.
but were doomed To be disappointed, for il
extended about one-half it's length beyond
the range of the shanlies at the end Of the
Company streets, which arrangement was dis
sat 81 cory to the Colonel, who gave orders