Year: 1863




tipue, and out a couple of miles from camp, with
but little prospect Of returning for at least ten
days from the commencement Of the detail,
have pulled up my knapsack close TO the fire, fu'
ly determined to write you another letlerb by hre-
light, this evening, unless / am driven from my
purpose by the smoke which persists N dfltuog
directly into my face, let me get on to when ''os
of the fire will. 10 be bent down over an out
doors fire on a cold December night might have
very inspiring effect for poetical nature, but
for me it is a most uncomfortable position, and
sometimes places my patience in great jeopardy
But il wish to narrats the events of the past
few days | shall probably have no better oppor-
tunty to do so than now, and to deprive the pub
lie Of this important delinquency that never
should have the face to ask forgiveness for.


The last time wrote, believe We vera on
picket away out in the Wilderness among the
rebels, where we expected every hour TO be LED
against the enemy. We were not led against
them while we were there, for reasons known on'y
to the higher authorities, though without doubt
it was because We found the enemy much strong
er in bis position than we expected Gen. Meade
did not wish to inaugurate another Lees MINIS
affair. There was deep creek between US and
the enemy, and the rebels had been busy digging
rifle pits and strengthening their position ever
since we cana up to them. Both banks were ao-
rup and steep and difficult to get over, while on|
the rebel side they had added to these disadyan-
tages by placing every conceivable obstacle IN The
yay Of our advance. Trees we're iehed, abatlis
made breastv orks were thrown up until they
occupied position that if we had occupied We
should have considered mfregnable against all
the rebels in the universe


Army correspondents, lnotce, all hsye 1t that
the men were in the best OF spirits, and eager
for dash at the enemy. Now all such state
ments, though meant, suppose, to be compi-
mentary, need a slight qualification, and admit q
some exceptions We are in " the best oi spir'
its almost any time when We can get the best OF
spirit, to nut into u.s. and as for being eager for a
dash at the enemy, perhaps it isal true can
speak for but one but there was certainly iello"
there about my size that felt no such eagerness al
ALL couldn't look over to those graycoated
devils and see their position and the means they
were providing for our reception, with any de-
sire 10 be ordered over there amongst them. II
the order had been given to charge OF course
should have charged with the rest, and If ! could
hurt rebel So that he would have had to go
home and stay with bis mother until the war was
over. | should have done it bu, after all to tel
the plain truth about the matter, and there is no
use in lying, in the event Of charge, | know
should have had strong preference for running
the other way and placing as much distance as
possible between those rebel minnies and my owr
precious self. Vermonters are the very best fight
ers in the world, so every body says that knows
anything about il but you never see Vermont
er manifest any eagerness 10 get into fight, no
any desire to back out after be does get in.


1t was expected by some, that charge woulC
be ordered that Sunday afternoon when we ~er
there on picket, but it was postponed until morn
ing. Early in the morning we were relieved iron
post, and went back to the reserve. Al precsei
eight o'clock our artillery opened on the enemy
They commenced with energy, and from t|
points. pouring in a cross fire and throwing /
shot and shell among Il rebels with terrible "a
pdity. The rebels hardly knew what to make
it. From the picSet outposts they could be see
huuying in all directions, some scattering in cor
fusion, and some being collected together for II
sistance. There sesmed to be an endless nun
Der of them We had stirred up their hive, an
found pretty lively swarm, and as large a on
as we need wish to contend with The cannon
adng wes to continue Tor an hour, and then, hu
rah boys for charge. Aswe were on picket, "
should take the lead, and act as skrrmishers.
about half an hour the firing ceased. Pret
soon the order came to pack up and fall in. W
did so. and we're ordered about to the right Of Il
line, mile or SO further All the way we ke
back from the edge of the woods far enough


prevent the rebels from discovering our NOV
meut. We picked our way through dense al
almost impeuelrable thiCket Of small trees al
underbrush. We passed by where storm
party of the 9th corps had piled up their kna
sacks and hayresaoSs, and were stripped for
charge. After while we got into our positi
where we should remain until further orders.


was very cold, but no fires were allowed to


built there. The Johnnies were having tn
nice comfortable fires, and they appeared to


but short distance from us. They didn't app,
to be at all bashful about showing their post
by building fires or coming out in sight. But
must keep back in the woods out OF sight a
keep warm the best way we could. by skuffl
knocking off hats and running around ring 1
we made path for in the woods, we managed
keep from freezing. We expected to be ordei
into action every minute. The companies 10
depoyed we're selected, but the order to adva
cid not come. The boys were tired OF wait
If they had got to charge on the enemy, /
wanted to do it at once and have it done "
and not stand there aud dread it all day n


cold.


But the sun went down and our line bad


moved. Soon the order came to left face pa
Il was clear and cold. We got into line 0
about our usual delay IN marching and halt
and as soon as we could collect the matersal,
IL L.;.h, rnnsing fra IN collect around,