Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-02-19
cur armu Correspondence.
For the Journal
FROM THE OLD VERMONT BRIGADE.


FROM THE OLD VERMONT BRIGADE.
BRANDY, VA. Feb. Sd, 1864
AIR. Editor-Undoubtedl your readers will
soon have fine view of this Station in the
Harper, as their special artist has been sketch
ing it the past week. 1t appears very much
like thriving Railroad Village in New Eng
land, with the business fast settling into reg
ular channels, and losing much Of the novelty
and excitement of the first few days and weeks.
Although the buildings are mostly Of canvas,
yetat present, answering every purpose Of
costly wooden structures.
Rlmor said last week, and Of course it was
in the Herald, the rebels we're fighting among
themselves across the Rapidan, opposite our
pickets, that Brigade stacked their arms
and refused to obey orders, thata Battery was
opened on them, and heavy artillery and mus
kerry firing was distinctly heard. But upon
inquiry It was ascertained by communications
from the other side and the deserters, that a
squad Of about twenty-five infantry started
for the river pursued by the cavalry to pre-
vent their escape, when the infantry turned
upon and drove them back, then crossed over
TO this side and gave themselves up.
To-day many are specializing pom the pros-
poets OF move, occasioned by the removal Of
the sick to the river, but in what direction,
or for what purpose, all are alike in the dark
but true to their yankee nature, all are ygor-
ously exercising their guessing faculties. No
doubt this army is to be held in readiness with
sufficient supplies in camp. to strike a crush
ing blow in any direction, at any time Offering
favorable opportunity to damage the enemy
The weather for a week past has been very
warm and dry. certainly favorable and inviting
for such move, and now after Il couple OF
cloudy and slightly wet days, the sun is again
shining, and 1t appears as though the inc
weather OF laqt week would be continued.
Nermonters here are agitating somewhat
the subject OF the Brgadiership, and discus
sing the claims of the VARIOUS candidates to
the honors OF the star. Some claiming that
Col. Thomas should have it by seniority of
commission and having shown himself album
dainty qualified by his success in the field.
Some that Col. Grant is entitled to it, in con-
siderstion of his cool bravery, and his judi
cious and successful management ofthe " Old
Green Mountain Brigade" on the battlefield,
while the friends of Col. Jewett claim that he
should have /; in view of his scientific and
practical military education, and his satisfac-
tory experience in command of Brigade
Now it seems to be the prerogauve if not the
imperative duty OF our delegation in Congress
to select and present the name of him who
can, in the present exigency of the Govern
ment bring, to its service the greatest weight
OF character, the most talent, and skill for the
work before him-to such an one, and only
such, shohld be entrusted the command of
these tried Veterans, ''nature's noblemen,"
who have freely volunteered to leave home
and friends and all that is sacred and dear to
them, and barring their breasts to the storms
and stern realities of war, bravely oppose
themselves as living barrier to the surging
waves of the frey and treacherous southern
ers, and say to them thus far shalt thou come
and no farther" All honor to those brave
men, we say, and we ought to thank God that
such men exist, that we have them among us,
and no man, whether in the field, or at home,
should so lar forget his obi ations to them
as 10 allow himself 20 chide or question their
patriotism when they decline to r"-enlist
Retel deserters continue TO arrive here al
most daily. Fifty were shipped to Washing
ton yesterday morning. They repeat the same
story we have heard before, of dissat sfacton,
constant desertions ana short rations. Our
men are well satisfied to see them come, and
say, they much rather they would come so,
than to go over the river after them.
We we're visited Last evening with quite
hail storm, accompanied by heavy thunder and
lightning, which afterwards changed into rain
and continued until late in the night. This
morning it is freezing, with high wind, but
not nearly as cold as the LIST of January.
The remarkable good health with which
this army is favored this winter, is well dem.
onstrated by the comparative small number Of
sick removed from the hospitals in the front,
to Washington. In the sixth corps there we're
only about fifty. This clearing out Of the
hospitals at this time, Surgeons say, is neces-
sary, as many Of the cases are Of long stand
ing and could not be cured here, while a
change may effect what medicine could not,
and undoubtedly the room will be needed by
the recruits that are coming in, as the change
of climate and diet will produce sickness in
eyitably, to a greater or less extent
Truly yours, OBsBKvER.