Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-07-15
LETTER FROM COMPANY L.
Gettysburg May BE Next Camp
ing Ground
OF the First Vermont Observation-Disclosures
amauga Park Has IIeen Condemned
On AccOmnt Of Its Imhealthfnlmtss.
CAMP THOMAS, :
july g, lSgS. 4

CAMP THOMAS,
July g, ls9s.
No particular change has taken place in
the First since my las, letter, although
rumor } as it we vii. have plenty OF change
! very soon.
They say a military commission has
! condemned the park, and that the Eastern
| and Northern troops 90 TO Gettysburg and
the Southern, Central and Western to
| Hampton Roads. Charleston, and other
districts.
The change is male because Of SO much
! sickness in all the regiments, and which is
/ on the increase every DAY.
| The commission favor the separating Of
! the j0,0 900 troops into divisions or brigades
| and the placing OF them far apart but with
| in easy access Of the sea coast.
It plainly points to the fact, that the
| park is today like some OF the places in our
! large cities too cOngested, and must be
| changed if high standard of healthfulness
! is to be maintained.
The First has not felt the effects of all
this, as our regimental ground is kept the
cleanest of any here, at least so reported
| by remarks of members of the commission.
We certainly look after everything close
| ly-and are helped along by the weekly in
| spection of Major Lee and DR.. Jackson.
You might say our company sick report
| is still ahead OF any in the First Vermont
! because our company officers look after
! yerything so closely in the line Of cleanli
ness.
1t is stated this forenoon that rations
have been issued to Tuesday, July y, and
that after that time we get field rations,
which plainly points to our leaving on or
near that date. But they might issue ten
days rations and we carry it easily. Every
one would be pleased to 90 as our
water supply has been cut off in almost
every direction, there being but one source
now from which to obtain any.
If we 90 (as most believe now to Gettys-
burg we will surely be one step nearer the
old home and possibly have the pleasure of
seeing few, at least, of our friends.
A few regiments have left this week,
but one could not say there is any great
rush coming, from present indications.
Don't think we leave for long time yet,
and possibly by the time the long time
is up, the direction taken by us will pay
you well for the patience you have shown.
| Papers around here think it best for the
| troops to remain here until the war depart
ment issue orders for their embarkaton
for Cuba, no matter if sickness rises above
the healthy ratio. Why shouldn't they,
when all the money the boys forgot to send
home is floating into the countless business
concerns of Chattanooga and vicinity.
The amount of money sent TO homes of
soldier lads has been something enormous
and the amount of mail matter very great.
The incoming mail figures up 10000 and
the outgoing mail even greater Over
SIG, 1000 in money orders were written every
day this week. 1t takes over $50 worth
of stamps per week to run our regiment
alone and Mr.. Day has no doubt learned
great deal of DR.. Webster's daily duties
since he established our excellent post
Office Everything is run on schedule time,
being strictly up to date in all particulars.
Camp Notes.
Chattanooga is under martial law.
Things are said to have been getting rather
shakey there.
Brigader- General r. T. Frank has re-
lieved Brigadier General F. d. Grant, the
latter having been acting commander of
the First Division, First Corps.
Gen, Grant Las been assigned the COM
mand of Second Brigade, Third Corps, by
Gen. Poland.
Paymasters finish their duties here today
by paying the Third Tennessee.
Col. Role of the First New Hampshire
| stated yesterday lndJ W recruits ana
band were en- route from the granite state
for his regiment
S. Ducham and Thomas Lillis have been
colonel's orderlies this week.
A board of survey inspected our equip
age this week, condemning all not service
able. This means we receive new uni
forms, etc, right away.
The invoice for our band instruments
came yesterday.
Our prisoners are kept busy picking
stones aud policing generally. There are
now over 80, with the number increasing
each day.
One young man was escorted to the
front of the line during dress parade last
evening, to listen to the courts decision
about his sleeping at his post. The adju-
tant read $40 and 30 days at hard labor.
Such is army life.
Hon. Felix McGettrck, the st. Adams
lawyer, has been here to visit his son, who
is a sergeant in Company B.
Major Lee has been to Lookout Noun
tain to see Col. Clark. He recommends
that COL Clark remain longer. .
F. 5, Is.