Year: 1863

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may think that have forgotten you, and


your paper too; but this is not the case.


Since l wrote last, Battery L, the new


company lately recruited in Vermont, has
joined Us. They are q fine company Of
men, though when we look at them in the
ranks, and consider that they are volun-


teers, it impresses US with the idea that


large portion of the patriotism of the peo-


pie of Vermont exists in the younger por-


tion of its male members. They are fine


ly ofhcered, and we doubt not will do


good service if they ever get chance at


the rebellious disturbers Of our country's


peace. The company have not yet re.


ceived their guns and equipments, so that


the only way in which we have been as


sociated with them, is in the use of our


we'll worn implements--the spade and


pick.. They are quite skillful in that line


though not quite equal to those of us who


have had a years experience in building


batteries, forts. and digging rife pits.


We are living now i'll very discordant


condition, much like family in house


in cleaning up time" Our barracks i'll


which we have lived so comfortably for


nearly year past are mostly torn down,


and part of u3 are living in our old A


tents, part in the bomb-proof, and the


rest are scattered around in numerous pla-


ces The reason of this is that Uncle


Sam (may his shadow never be less


thought that our old quarters were not uT


to the mark in point of respectability, OF


comfort, and so We are to have new ones


built Of joists and boards. They are tc


be one hundred feet long, by twenty wide,


and will contain sleeping Accommodations


for one hundred and si1ty men. The bar


racks for two companies are to be built


inside the fort. These are nearly com


pleted. Two more are to be built outside


Every available man is engaged in theil


construction and they will soon be read, i,


to occupy. The troops at all the forts or


this line are being provided with winter


quarters of the same description of ours


Battery NJ, IS expected here from Bra.tle
boro in a few days. When they come
Battery F, goes to Fort Slemmer, small
work about mile east of Slocum. 1t is nov
garrisoned by company of the ll2tf
Pennsylvania Vols, who are quartered IL
new barracks like those we are building
The situation is pleasant one, so tina
we shall not loose much by the change
though it is quite as pleasant in many re
spects to be at headquarters. Notwith
standing all the peculiar advantages will
' which this regiment has been favored il
. regard to position and accommodations
yet we have lost more men by deaths ant
discharges in proportion to the time W
have been in the service, than some of tn
other Vermont regiments who have seel


hard fighting, and hard fare in the field
: The fact, I think, shows the debilitatiny
effect of the comparatively inactive ant
, unexciting life which we lead here. w
rust out for want of something to do tt
keep our minds in state Of healthful ac
tivity. To be sure we have work enough
to do, such as it is. but it is work in which
we take but little interest, and so far a
its health giving influence is concerned w
might almost as we'll have nothing to do
But | must tell you about our band
: for we have a band now; nice bras
band-the exclusive property of the regi
ment. 1t has been but few days sine
|. its first formation, but it has made won
derful progress, for it already takes th'
place of the fife and drum on guard mount
ing, and dress parade. George Cotton
Battery f. formerly of Irasburgh, is th'


leader, but it has been placed for shor
time under the tuition of Capt. james
Rice, whose merits as band leader arr
we'll known in Vermont; which fact ac
counts for the rapid progress they have
made. We enjoy the music much, and


hope that SO long as we are in the army


we shall have the benefit Of the services


Of like institution. "le 'aA


In conclusion Iwould say the weather