Year: 1863

only need health, but we need renlorcements.
Men at home are being drafted to fill our thinned
ranks, and some of these-suth as have no con
yenient $500 to spare--we shortly expec! to see
out here. These men will need some experience
in drilling and camp life before they can take the
fel What better time for that than nowP The
paymaser, too, is expected, and all of US are
quite willing that he should come as soon as he
sees fit and discharge any obligations he may have
to US. Taken all in all, we think we have quite
orcible reasons for thinking that we are to go into
permanent camp here. After all, before this let
ter is read in Vermont we may be on the move
again, and more lercey engaged with the enemy
than ever before.


The army is world almost exclusively by itself
now Without money and without suffers, de-
pendent on our own resources, and independent
OF every one else, we can live on without care or
trouble, knowing that our commissary can always
be relied upon, and that hard tack will ever be
abundant. Lovers Of tobacco appear to be the
principal sufferers. Those who love tobacco, and
have borrowed till they can borrow no longer,ha
indeed a trouble that makes them OF all soldiers
the ones most miserable. 1t must certainly be
most excruclating annoyance for those who affirm


hat the use Of the peculiar weed is the soldiers
principal comfort to be deprived Of bis idolized
luxury, but as do not use the article myself !
presume shall never be thanked for plying those
who do, for am not fit person to sympathize
with them. No doubt there will be peders here
soon who will remedy the evil.


A week ago yesterday, we had the rare enter
Iainment Of Church service, the first we have en-
Joyed since in camp near White Oak Church. 1t
seemed all the better because held in bona fde
meeting house. This house was built in very
secluded spot, on by-road, screened from view
by grove Of bushes and trees. 1t was where
one would scarcely think Of looking for building
at all, much less for one Of that sacred character.
The reasons for placing It SO out Of sight were OBJ
yious as we came 10 view the house more closely.
1t is very ancient, old fashioned and rudely con-
structed. The walls are built of logs and mud
and neither inside nor out is there the least at
tempt at ornament, or any indications Of refine
ment and taste in the whole construction. II is
about as large as an ordinary barn in Vermont,
and not a whit more substat italy or casscally
built. The ceiling covers about two-thirds Ct the
area with large opening over the pulpit and this
second floor | suppose was the gallery. 1t was
supported by roughly hewu posts, not painted or
even white washed, but in the same condition
that the workmans broad axe left them. The
pulpit was a small miniature concern scarcely big
enough to hold a man, and looked from the op-
poste side of the room more like a cupboard
or library closet than like preachers desk.
Whether it was abject poverty or woful lack Of
appreciation for the good and the beautiful in
these people, that made them build such an un-
couth sanctuary for divine worship, is more thaa
can tell.


The meeting was conducted by chaplain Stone
Of the sixth regiment, aud chaplain Mack Of the
third regiment Notwithstanding the quaintness
Of the surroundings the services were impressive
and full Of instruction. After singing some IA
miliar hymn, as we always do in these meetings
chaplain Stone spoke at some length from the
word. Of solomon lie that goyerneth bis own
spirit Is better than he that ttaketh city," After
fully illustrating the meaning of the text, he pro-
ceeded TO show how every one Of us could be
more heroic, WELD more difficult authority than
our best and ablest officers and generals. His
application was quite practical and fcrcible. To
rule even our own spirit we needed fixed princi-
pies laid down, and constitution, as It were, TO
guide US. Was it best to swear ? Could any
one say il was Whether il was or not he left


il for US to decide, but in either case be advised
US to make law in regard to it, and fully live up
TO the law. Was it best to play cards and gam
be9 If it was, then, on every opportunity, make
il business, and take the consequences. If it
was not then mike law to leave off at once and


see if we had moral heroism enough to keep the


law. Other vices Incident TO camp life we're
enumerated, and dealt with in the same practical


manner lie was followed by chaplain Mack


who spoke of some pleasing "reminiscences in his


connection with the soldiers, made some very


practical and instructive remarks in bis usuaI


clear aud entertaining manner, when, after sing


ing the doxology, the meeting dispersed. The


BOYS went back TO their tents to digest thoughts


Of no inferior consequence, though 100 often for


gotten in the hurly bury Of soldiers life, W.


wish We could have more such meetings to record
ANTI.REBEI.
P.S In letter 81, noticed in my haste hat
made one or two unimpOrtant mistakes. Darnes
town in Maryland was written Drainsville. West
: minister, Winchester, and in letter 80 in on,
: place Fairfield in Pennsylvania was written Fair
/ fax. ANTI-REBEL.