Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-02-26

Ms DARK WluelN aslut lIotn lncIhs anu eihuti-
lished his unpretending pages with the high
est ornaments Of historical wrting-namely,
the events that .ranspred and the thoughts,
and feelings, and language Of those who made
the history. When we read biography, we
are most delighted with the thoughts, solilo-
quies and private conversations Of the suo-
jeot, because these bril- the public thing the
nearest TO a man, and so when we read Of
events, we are charmed most with book be-
hind the scenes. Our author is frequently
quite lappy in speaking the minds Of tho
men under their various circumstances, some-
times in his own language, aud sometimes by
iudicous quotation from the familiar con-
vorsation around the camp FIRE. We quote
from Dec 4.
1t ia Thanksgiving in our native state,
and we had long anticipate pleasant time (;
for our kind friends at home had sent forward
boxes well filed with things edible. as good
as any epicure could desire. Thee failed to
reach us. 90 we ale bareback and pork. and
only laughed at our misfortune Some, how
ever. lament that they are not at home TO en-
JOY Tue uANs MtNhNll hohta hlphk Win utA-
.elf pleasing train-and not least 60 thc
soldiers heatt--hut as the fair, lovely forms
are CONTESTED with present scenes. not 20
pleasing a. the past they DO excite mournful
emotions ia many bosom.
we rake n man, o vanished scene.
or vh.t sec once bod thousht and said.
~ what had been and night have been
And Nhu has changed AID who was dead
The schoul with It's sweet remembrance.
the church with it, 'olemnity, the light dancc.
the love AID bridal scene. and he reas,cmb-
ling under the paterntl root On thi, anniyer-
sat} an, 80 each. are topics for thu. OF that
one, according 70 the bent Of mint
We quote again from Dec 5, wneu th, ! 18Th
reg mcnt returned from Uuion Mills 20 Camp
Vermont in a snow storm and had no tents,
no houses /, shelter them from the storm.
and no bunk. but ,vo foo, Of snow on top Of
two feet q mud.
"' VIVA, shall We do :, good nalurodly in
qurcd Uncle Walter. Nowhere to Inc and
nothing 10 eat, Good that the old women At
hons duu't know how we are; for the know
ing it would give oar friends more mi.ery
than wc Tough fellows VINO face he storm.
Now heres ptoverb, responds Jack. Who
scripture at another, he IA improvising 20.
etry; now he is sage. utterinR wise sayings.
or breaches, terrible dcnunciatons against the
wicked again he Is general, in deep medita-
too plotting agsiu.l the enemy ell fcigned,
bur withal, his good nature and common
sense too make him friend Of each soldier
Now here's ptOvctb, that ought TO make
King solomon and Ben franklin blush A
place to lie on, FIRE TO warm your shins by b.
and enough to cat are 10 be preferred to great
riches o. good name. And, that you need
not think me les, <, neral than phuoso-
pher, let me plan little for you. There's a
negro shanty yonder Some Of you lay there :
and hard by is old Johnsons house and barn
some Jay lhere-(yes, an old rebel be il
too. Cuss on his head II was general he
shouldn't live logger than he could by hang
ing IN a moose, higher than a pigeon could hy
in nine months y yonder is clump Of pines
some lay there and some Of us will
fre,ze to our brothers in the other regiments.
Now let me close with this sentiment: Let
not a man despair for a brighter sun will
rise tomorrow and our tents too and in
coming Years, when your hairs have grown
grayer Than rat hundred years old, YOU,
and yoH unmarried youths that never more
than hrew kisses across the school house to
some bright eyed girl, will pass your peaceful
nights in telling your grand children Of your
wondrous deeds 10 Virgnny.'"
And so we might 70 on, quoting from any
days record, giving an account Of the wealth
er. the war news, the brigade movements III.
talk Of the boys, and the CONCENTRATIONS Of
the author, but we will forbear for the want
of space, and because the book will proba-
bly, be in the hands Of all who take an inter.
est in the campaign to which it is devoted.
The author gives an elaborate account Of
the baltic of Gettysburg, and it has among
its many others, one merit that entities it TO
more praise than Is given to the accounts of
many army correspondents-tha is, il was
written by participant, and it gives us, not
only the general description, but the language
and feelings ofthe boys-the thing Of all 9TH
ers which we most wish to know.
There are some faults in the book-which
grammar and rhetoric would correct, and we
Ihink-though that is simply matter Of taste
that it is written too much in the presen.
tense. But it is correct, is interesting to ev,
cry Vermonter, is valuable as history, and
is OF priceless worth to every man who was
member Of that noble brigade. And VIC have
no doubt but that it will amply reward the
authors toll.