St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-08-24
HOME AGAIN.
The Trip Of the First Vermont to Camp
Olympia.
From our Regular Correspondent

ouI Nckuiai NoiISopohuSHt')
Last Monday morning while break
ing ground for our new camp at Dali
tons Ford orders were received at
headquarters to forward the regi-
ment at once to Fort Ethan Allen.
A scene Of great activity ensued. BY
Thursday night arrangements were
completed and the men turned in
early. The Sd Tennessee with whom
we were brigaded gave us a rousing
serenade before our departure. Our
relations with the men Of this regi
ment have been of the most friendly
character. There was much OF wis
dom in thus bringing together in
brigades and divisions, the men of
different sections allowing them to
fraternize and uniting as nothing else
could the young men of this country,
doing away with sectional prejudice
and bringing nearer the time when
there shall be no North, no South, no
East and no West, but throughout
the length and breadth of the land
one vast army of brothers, loyal to
the dear old flag and the grandest
country the sun shines upon.
Sharp and clear rang the notes Of
reveille at 8 80 and by the lights of
bonhres hastily constructed Of refuse
from the tents, blankets were rolled
and then the canvas which for three
months had covered us and had be-
come almost our home swayed and
fell and Camp Thomas became for
US thing of the past. Wheeling by
companies into columns of tours, we
swung out through the woods just
as the sun raised his golden disc above
the horizon. tinging the trees with a
golden glory peculiar to these Tennes-
see landscapes.
Down past the camp of the Tennes-
see boys we went, receiving from
them hearty Godspeed which
brought glow to our hearts and
perchance suspicion of moisture to
our eyes and with backs to the scene
Of our late experiences we set our
faces toward Rossville, nine miles
distant.
OF that march, in the heaviest oil
heavy marching orders, with cloth
ing saturated with perspiration and
enveloped in binding clouds OF dust,
the least said the better. 1t was one
Of those unpleasant experiences which
cannot be avoided and should be for.
gotten as quickly as possible, how
ever, the transition to comfortably
equipped sleepers soon put an end tc
it and we started on our long jour
ney toward home. Berths were
made up early and, ensconsed in clear
beds for the first time in three months
we sank to sleep that was dream
less.
Morning found us in old Virginia
treading the foothills of the Blu
Mountains, now climbing labor
ously some long ascent, then sweep
ing around bold bluffs where far be
low among the trees nestled here n,
there the little old houses with thei
big outside chimneys. 1t was a re
gion of multitudinous changes an,
pleasant surprises and was pictul
esque in the extreme.
Washington was reached at 9.3
and here we received receptio
which went far toward relieving til
hardships of the journey. Milk an
coffee were supplied by the Red eros
Society and supper provided 70
the regiment by the ladies of the per
sion department.
The run from Washington to Jerse
City occupied the whole of Saturda
night. Here an accident to two {
our cars delayed us two or thre
hours and it was nearly noon befor
we were again under way, leavin
New York for Albany over the Yves
Shore. 1t is needless to say that til
boys enjoyed the beautiful scener
along the Hudson in spite of til
fatigue OF the journey.
A demonstration of welcome
{ unusual magnitude was given G
Mechanicsville, when the track we
one continual line Of torpedoes. 4
Saratoga like reception was me
We crossed the line into Vernon
: near Whitehall and here the DO,
celebrated. The moment we were
dear old Vermont a deafening sho,
rent the air and each one of our ree
ment appreciated the sentiment
Wallace who shouted,