Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-03-04
@nr Armp Gorrfspunutnrr.
For The journal
FROM THE TENTH REGIMENT.

CANT MAR BRANDY STATION. Va. }
Feb. l9th, 1864
Dear Journ0l.--The unusually mild winter
weather with which we have been favored for
some weeks, was succeeded on Monday NJ or.
noon by slight snow storm, since which il
has been clear and intensely cold for this re-.
gion, rendering good fires necessity, and
long exposure to the elements rather unpleas-
ant, II not positively unsafe. A." Virginia mud
seems played out" and Jack Frost" the
rciguing monarch absolute, blocking for a
time the car Of MARI. Still his reign must
soon yield TO the mild sway Of Spring, and
then our armies stronger than ever in their
many recruits, and nuclc is Of veto rams, almost
inrincible through The prestige Of past success
cs, will go forth to meet the waning, discotd-
ant, and disappointed legions Of rebellion, to
push them further on iowa. ds the last
ditch, and perhaps bring the already long
ptotraeted d" inevitable Conflict speedily to
that end which now seems ultimately certain.
Disasters and rcverses may occur to pruttact
the struggle, but surely the Ky of our Ma
tons future was never more fusen,e than nov,
and from it's vista rises in clear and well de-
fined outlines, the grand and noble edifice OF
re- constructed Union. Instead Il being de-
pleted by discharge, our armies are to be
fuller than ever, stronger in spirit and mo-
rnic, as well as numbres, thus a great mistuke
of the pas, will be avoided, aud its lost chances
secured for the future. The work of re-en-
listment is still going On qnite actively in
some regiments, bat must soon roach limit,
II not by time surely by want # material,
for the old men len will be exceptions, not
ohsf however, as some insnuate, for we all
knoS the chsf goes before the wheat, and to
use military term the best men are TO be
held in reserve" Not to disparuge in the
least those who bear the name of Veterans,
no soldiers ! think will be less attentive than
they to their countfys call. even though he
should seek for time the life of citizen
Nor will our brethren at home, under the in
creased, and adequate as far as money can
De- compensation. withhold themselves from
the cause wbcte claims are now more weishty,
and whose grandeur is now moro AppsIent
than ever before. They should burn TO sweH
and strengthen our columns I 7 Il triumphant
march into tue enemy's riiutd, ri q help hoist
the h'g Ou every dl,m4u'l led ,I4f rir neat
ing prospect OF THIS n tue gland key of re-en-
hstment, year siuce two ehimerical a pro-
ject to be broached, but while the veterans
IRE nearly all enrolled. ,hcte i, still room aud
urgent call for those wo have never buTne
arms; now, in what nihy be the asi call let
them break the dean ~ peace and quiet, rise
TO the plume OF true manhood in the most
momentous strife OF all time, aud iuseibe
their names on the scroll OF heroes. II there
be a strong man too base for this. let society
frown upon him ill he hides his head in
shame and spnrn his bastard soul from their
embrace, and the waves of in'dmy sweep him
to the gulf of oblivion. Surely We can afford
TO be as spartan-ike as our traitor toes, but
our holy cause makes far less sweeping de-
mands. More indeed than in point of money
has the nation felt tbe war in the Toss Of the |
true and brave, but as regards numbers, its |
strength for an emergency has hardly ye' been
impaired, not like secession has It BEEN drain 1
ed OF it's strength to degree almost tquiva
lent to depopulBtion, It's industrial intetests !
have indeed suffered, but in no branch are
they crippled TO suspension, rather has heal /
thy stimulus been impaired by necessity, md /
the idler forced to engage in labor. The food |
Is abundant almost 10 excess, likewise all nee !
essaries, and even Injuries Of life, only prices (
are raised, hence we may safely infer that
mole men may well be spared, If that question |
was open to debate, as it ia not in ihe present /
issue for life or death, now all that has been !
already gained may be hszarded if the great
work is not vigorously carried on. Hence (
we in the field sppeal to those who can come,
to hasten to our assistance, to swell our ranks
in numbers as we'll as character, to invincibe
superiority over the conscripted lists, terror
bound in arms against us, lest the fair pros
poets Of our future be darkened by disas-
trous campaign. and thus the struggle be pro-
longed. Let the five hundred thousand be
raised by volunteering, at least the quota of
Vermont, for the sake Of her fair fame, let
them be raised by other means il that is in
49,. Ia.
problem, we may hope for a speedy solution.
There are shoulders on which rest the respon-
sibility for this. more cogent appeals than
mine urge to the field those whose aid we
need, even those Of concience pointing out
the way of duty, and to that voice and a pat
riotism perhaps yet la.eni | fear little to con
fde the result.
A week since our regimental chapel was
consetrated with appropriate exercises. 1t is
sufficiently eommodous, and though Of some
what rude construction with stockade walls
and pole seats, it is trimmed with cedar so as
to present neat and handsome aspect inter-
nally, looks at least respectfully outside, and
- great improvement on the open Winter
air. rendering service practicable and agteea-
BILE, when usually the weather would prevent
II. Besides Sabbath services, il will be oc-
cupied every evening either for prayer meet
ings, sings, OF lyoeums, il nothing prevents,
thus afofdIng means Of mental, as we'll as
moral and spiritual improvement Such priv
ileges, from which we have long been exiled.
forcibly remind us of by-gone days, and re-
vive old habits and associations, and besides
their immediate good results, are of great ser
vice in securing conten,ment, that requisite
Of good discipline. ], is TO these increased ia
cillies for improvement that the improved
and improving morale Of this army mSy b,
traced, and hen'e their prt etieal utility, almost
necessity, is demonstrated.
Yours, =.
Col. Thomas Of the sth Vermont arrived