Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-02-09
miraculous effects from what at home would
have been the nlerest rubbish.
IN FRONT OF WASHINGTON.

changed Tor long lrainps Oh seven OF elBnt
miles through n section of country utterly
oesolated by the march of armies night
watches with such protection from the keen
north wind as was afforded by pile of
brush or a friendly haystack, weary re-
turn to the reserve when relieved from duty
to snatch a few hours sleep in the snow be-
fore a smodcring fire.
These were some Of the unpleasant phases
OF our picket life, rendered more so by tho
possibility OF a shot from a stray bush.
whacker
Yet there were times when the Southern
sun shone warmly, and corn from q neigh
boring field roasted in tho ashes or an in
voice of good things from home discussed
around our bivounc with story and song
made tins hours more tolerabe.
There was fascination in this life with
all its hardships, perhaps going to show that
our boosted civilization was after all but
skin deep, aud that we still had an affinity
to those savage ancestors of ours who
squatted around their smoky frepaces in
old Britain a couple OF thousand years ago
or more.
Our frat camp near Fort Lyon was
named Vermont in honor OF our native
state. Barracks were constructed OF split
| logs, eight feet long, planted solidly in the
| ground, inclosing IL space 100 feet 10y 90,
and rooted with boards: a large fireplace in
one end of each and hunks in double rows
| for the inmates
Each company We'd with the others in
their artistic work on what supposed
were to be our winter residences. just as
these wero nearing completion the general
movements Of the army, eliminating in the
battle OF fredericksburg, took place, and
we were ordered to point 20 miles distant
es guard TO the government stores at
! Foirtax court house
Other troops were to take our place and
enjoy the work Of our hands. To add to
the aggravation many boxes from friends at
the North had arrived few days before,
most of which had to be left for the natives,
who gathered around expsctautly, ready to
pounce on the remains when we departed.
Mince pies. turkeys, preserves and all
manner OF the good things of life especially
dear to the heart OF the soldier were now a
drug in the market and would soon gernsh
| ths tables OF the settlers in the vicinity, u,i-
accustomed as they were to the culinary
skill OF Yankee housewives.
Two of our men carried tepderly between
them on stick little po!l OF butter, and
had the distinction that night of being the
only ones III the company who could indulge
In that luxury. We located In our turn in
the stockades of departing regimont. but
the change was decidedly for the worse.
Especially did it have its disadvantages
when any Of the live stool; was left behind,
and the incoming guests were at all fasti-
dious in their habits.
TIE "BABY TWELFTH"
Our regiment had leanipgs that way, and
were accordingly favored by those in au-
thority to that extent that it received the
sobriquet of the Baby Twelfth" The
company in which l enlisted was, il posi-
| bic, more infantie than any OF the others,
yet never failed to do its full share Of duty
ASST gned to it.
Some OF our boys were, however, slow in
learning the miautiae of military etiquette.
On one occasion one of our oficers--Lt. II.
X. Wing will possibly recollect the circum-
stance-attempting to pass a guard, was
hailed with "Who are yer ~ When re-
proved and instructed to the proper way
| to challenge, he replied: well, who be yer,
anyway, yer can't come bcre.n
Oar mess was decidedly literary in its
character. Shake;pear tue Atlantic and
other reading of standard quality was at
hand. Debates occurred from time to time
on current questions That might not have
been unworthy of more pretentious sur
roundings.
1t is not certainly known, but there are
strong suspicious, that some of the editorial
work On the burlington FREE PRESS pro-
cceded from our tent when our genial friend
Benedict was with US.
Each smoker in camp did not rest easy
until he was possessed OF pipe made from
the laurel root common to the vicinity
Leisure hours were spent in the manutact ure
OF these and other articles by such as were
proficient in the use OF jacknife.
a larger portion OF tmo WAS given tc
letter writing Sad, indeed. this condition
Of the poor follow who had no ono with
whom ne could CORES pond.
Ii was a joyous day when the mail came
in. Not even the cell for ratious at the
cook tent had the attraction that the ar.
rival of the postman possessed for the boys
who gathered about MIN, eager to nave their
names read out.
Never was there an army like ours, main
taining to so high degree in the midst OF
the temptations of the camp the restraint.
OF home life. This was due largely to it.
intimate connection with the communities
from which u had come
The letters constantly passing to and from
camp to home, those white winged messen
gers OF love, formed by their Interchange
an invisible warp of golden threads, binding
the army indissolub!y in its affection anc
purpose to the loyal, patriotic people Of tn,
nation. How strong was this home infiu-
ence was seen when OF the close OF the wal
a million OF soldiers melted away into tn,
ranks Of civil life, resuming their old rela-
tiqns again with scarcely a jar. Niewec
with as,oaiiEment was the spectacle by
those familiar with the armies of the oil,
, world. These letters, now hidden away il
thousands Of homes throughout the land
will afford rich field to some future in
quirer who would know more of the dali,
life OF our patriot soldiers, who SO full,
! demonstrated in barls and III the reLs
! prisons their loyalty to thu flag they fol
lowed. CHARLES WAINWRIGHT.
A Sad Awakening.
when in the dark, on thy soft hand hung
And heard the tempting syren of thy tongue
What flames what dar s-whRt anguish en-
dured,