Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-03-21

would naturally fire upon them at once, and thus
prevent their coming in, whether they intended to
come in peaceably or otherwise. But our picket
officers we're not to be thrown off their guard by
designing enemy, called up the reserves and had
everything 10 readiness, as il an attack was ex-
pected. But no foul play was intended They
came in as the first rebel had said they would,
glad to escape q service where success was hope
less. They werea little surprised to see the
Yankees IN line, ready Tor fight, but when mat
ters were explained, they said they didn't blame
Us any, they had attempted to betray us 40 many
times.
OF course these men were tired Of the war,
their coming in showed that without their telling
Us. They represented the rest Of the army as
being Of their opinion, only Of course, they lacked
tie resolution and opportunity to act up to their
convictions, as these had done. But il isn't the
bnvest men that are usually the first to desert
even sinking cause, though it is extremely hard
work to h2hl, where there isn't the remotest pros
pee Of hnaI and triumphant success These men
considered that they we're only anticipating an
event, which every one must see is plainly inevt
able, and they we're unwilling 10 fight longer to
save the pride Of their leaders, which they said,
was all in reality that !. amounted. to. There
we're officers among them who did not denouuco
The confederate cause, but depored It's helpless
ness A government that hss lost its power and
influence to restrain those who are ready to act
as seII-nterest indicates, as large share Of man
Kind are prone to do, must be rapidly sinking into
contemp and it is hardly to be expected that the
common soldiers Of the rebel army who have
everything to lose and nothing to gain, will rise
to that pitch Of moral grandeur, tba, will make
them willing to risk their lives for a principle,
resting upon doubtful foundation at best. A
rebellion, or revolution is an experiment, and
when the experiment fails, it is not criminal to
iorsake it, but rather II is crime to cling to it
longer, causing more blood to be spilled, and
more lives 70 be lost. If the iebel army could
know the truth, and know exactly the desperate
straits of their goyepmsut, The war would be
virtually ended already.
As for this place, we are quietly pursuing the
even tenor Of our way. We are well situated
well provided for, and thick no one has any
complaint to make The sick and wounded are
well cared for, aud made as comfortable as the
Government, Christian AID Sanitary Commissions
eau make them The rate Of mortality is very
ow, considering that it is a hospital containing so
many PATIENTS. have seen it larger in camp,
according to the number Of men including the
well over the sick We are quite pleasantly sit
uated here, on the bank Of the AppamattoI,
about a mile up the river from City Point proper.
The locality must be an emnently healthy one in
the summer season, the river breezes blowing
almost continually, and keeping be air fresh and
cool, The ground is more Of a sandy nature
along on the bluff Of the river than in most
places, and although it is muddy enough at this
time OF The year, /. is much less so than it would
be in many places in Virginia, and the mud is
much sooner dried.
The boys have had to depend almost entirely
upon the Curistian aud Sanitary Commissions for
their tobacco and stationery, two things that are
almost as essential to a soldiers life as bread and
meat The Sanitary Commission makes regular
issues OF tobacco to the soldiers, at stated times,
and almost the only tobacco here now is Sani-
tary." If it we're not tor this, many Of the slaves
of tobacco would be in a sorry prsdicament No
money and no suffers here to lake a lien on the
paymas,er, and wait till payday. Writing paper
aud envelopes are given to any one applying for
them, generally not giving enough to write more
than two or three letters at one lime The Christian
Commission have rooms where the men can have
every accommodation for writing a table is pre-
pared, pen, ink and paper is provided, and when
the writing is done, the Commission will see that
the postage is paid, and the letter sent.
10 friendly letter receivad last evening from
Lieut.. Hawkins, Of the Third Vermont, he tells
me there has been considerable changes made in
the officers of the Second Regiment, Col. Tracy
has resigned on a surgeons certificate, Mag. John
son is expected to return soon, to be lieutenant
colonel, and as he a little extrawgantly expressed
it, "almost every other man in the regiment is
promoted to captain or lieutenant" by which he
meant, that the numerous vacancies, which have
long existed in our regiment have been filed by
promotions at last. This is giving some Of the men
sho have long deserved il, a legitimate acknowl
edgement OF their services. ANTI.REBEL.