Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-05-19
FROM THE SIXTH CORPS.

DANvILLE. Monday May /.
week ago yesterda,
morning we we're called and had orders t,
move at daylight. There were all sorts o
rumors as TO where we were going but nearly
all believed that we we're going to Peters
burgh. We had begun to build our castles
in the air and indulge in fond hopes Of beinl
at home, when these hopes we're suddenly
dashed to the ground by the announcement
that the 9th corps was to march to Danville
Va. distance Of los miles by road and 9C
By railroad. But, like good soldiers as they
always have been, they prepared to obey or.
ders with their accustomed alacr;ty and were
soon on the road. A march Of two miles
brought us to Burkesville when all doubts a.
to our destination vanished by our taking the
road leading to Dsnville. From this time
till our arrival here there was constant
tramp, tramp, and our little army slowly but
surely approached DAnville. Gen. Wright
calls it the beat marching ever done by this
corps or any other. l copy from his congra.
tulating order: ''In four days and four hours
not less than one hundred miles have beer
traversod march almost unprecedented in
this OF any other war, even under the most
favorable auspices" This will give you an
idea of what we have endured in those four
days, but you cannot fully appreciate it all
without seeing :he tired, hungry and footsore
soldiers still pressing on aud too proud to
fall out Of the ranks. OF such material is
the 9th corps composed. We challenge the
world to produce its equal.
The country which we passed through is
one OF the most beautiful parts Of Virginia !
was ever in. The land is in high state of cul-
tivation and in many places the farmers were
at work. There are many splendid residences
along the route and most OF them built in he
most modern style. In almost all parts OF
the state the chimneys are built on the out
side and one end Of the house, but many OF
these are built in true old Vermont style
Everywhere we appeared the negroes Aocked
around us evidently glad to see us after they
got acquainted with us.
Their white owners had told them fright
ful stories about the " Yanks" and they were
just ignorant and credulous enough TO think
that Yankee was some frightful monster
with csnnibalistic propensites. They will
do anything for us in their power now that
they have found out who their friends are.
Last Thursday afternoon we entered the
town of Danyille with colors flying and bauds 8
playing, and passing through encsmped just
outside Of the town. The Sd brigade Of this
division is doing provost duty in the town
and their commander Col. g. w. HYDE, is
military Governor. The town is strictly
guarded and we are not allowed to enter
without pass from brigade headquarters
which is granted to but few
From the casual glance had before enter
ing, ! should think that Danville is place
about the size and Importance of Burlington
VI. The railroad bridge over the sisunto
river which was burned BY the rebels, mas
now been repaired by the government and
railroad company. and one train, laden with
supplies, has already crossed it and reached
here.
We have been somewhat short of supplies,
having only what we brought on the army
wagon train. but there will be no difficulty
about that hereafter. This railroad has with
in the past year been extended to Greens boro
n. G. thus connecting with the entire southern
system of railroads. A few days ago, as
soon rs we heard of the surrender of Joe
Johnston's army, Gen. Wright sent Major
Mcclellan Of his staff (brother of Gen. Nc
Clellan) with a portion of the corps to
Greensboro to demand the surrender of the
place. Ii was done and hear that the troops
returned last night by railroad. This you
see deprives Sherman's army of the honor Of
taking the place and gives it to the 9th corps.
have omitted to mention in the proper
place that as soon as we entered the place
(Danvile) some persons took possession of
the printing office and issued paper called
Z" The 9th Corps" and have issued it regular
ly ever since. 1t is printed on half sheet
about 2 = is inches. The first two numbers
(April u and 2s) were printed on one side
only but since then it has been printed on
both sides.
An order just issued by Gen. Meade says
that the I'd army corps is to go to Peters,
burgh the 5th army corps to Manchester
(uesr Ricbmond) the 9th corps to Washing
ton and the 9th corps is to guard the Dan
vile railroad between Richmond and Green's
boro N. c., also that the rebellion is crushed
and the war over.
The corps is already being broken up into
small detachments and hence l would not be
surprised to receive an order at any moment
to pack up and be ready to move Gen.
Grant, however, is making great preparations
to stay here. The Brigade Pioneers Rave got
three weeks work on hand to build Brigade
Headquarters, etc. p.