Year: 1862


FRIEND EARLE,-As our brigade has
nothing to do to-day, further than their


usual amount of guard duty, and fatigue,


thought that perhaps few moments
employed in writing to you might not be
entirely amiss. But to commence with,


would just say that you must not look


COR an elegant speech, or anything very


brilliant, such as you are occasionally
receiving from our company and regi-


ment; for such men have a better COM
maud OF language than r. rough farmer
boy like myself


You have, no doubt, correspondents
who have kept you posted on ali of our
movements siEce leaving Camp Griffin.
As we have been situated since leaving
the aforementioned camp it has been
quite difficult for US to write, first, on ac-
count Of not being able to get the neces
sary time, without being called away TO
perform some duty that devolves upon
US, and secondly, because our brigade, as
you are no doubt aware, has not been
paid off for four months, and we have
entirely exhausted our stock of station
cry and stamps, and have not the means
to replenish it.


Since leaving Fortress Monroe our
steps have been, slow, but sure, in the
direction of Richmond, the rebel capt
tol. One week ago last Sunday, news
came to US at Camp Winfield Scott, that
the whole line Of foriifcations at York.
town was evacuated by the rebels. We
soon had orders TO pack up our furniture
and follow the retreating party, The
order was promptly and cheerfuly obey
ed BY the Vermont boys, for !, is of them
that am writing, and it is of them that
a large proportion of your readers are
interested. We marched all day, and
about sunset came to a halt, as we sup
posed, for the night; but we soon found
that our days work was not fully com.
pleled. We were in the rear Of a very
thick piece of woods, and on the left Of
that was large space of felled timber,
and in front of these were the rebel for /
tications Of Williamsburg. Oar regi-
meut and the Fourth were the ones to
march through the woods and slash, and
drive out, if there should happen to be
any rebels secrcted there. but they chose
the good part and kept out of our way.
(Lucky for secesb.)


We then came to halt in front of
their works and not more than a musket
shot distant from one of their forts, but
not a shot did old Secesh fire at US. We
lay down and slept as swectly as any Of
those home guards who staid at home and
excused themselves by saying there were
men enough. Such patriots bad better
be set up in the hoop skirt business
But to proceed. When we awoke in the
morning it was raining, however we pro-
ceeded to get our break fast and put our
selves in readiness for whatever we might
be called to DO. Meanwhile we could
hear firing on our right and left, and we
soon learned that the dance had already
commenced, and that in all probability
we should take part in the figure.


The rain came down all day without ,
any cessation, and just as steadily the
firing was kept up all along our lines.
Our regiment was held as a support for {
Ayers battery, who was continually {
pouring the contents of his messengers
into the rebel forts they we're at first ,
to quite promptly by the rebel
gu1ners; but they did not show any {
great skill in firing, for most Of their I
shots fell short, or went over US, doing '
but little or 10 damage. Our battery, by |
its skilliul firing soon silenced their |
guns, and we heard but very little from
ihem at that point, except at intervals |
during the remainder OF the day. Just
At dark news came to US that Fort Ma :
yruder was surrendered this was one OF !
heir strongest forts on the whole line. I
Dur Colonel called on his regiment for |
hree cheers for Hancocks Brigade, (
which took very active part in the bat I
lie. The three cheers were given in
good spirits, and happier crew of boys {
you will seldom ever see, notwithstand- 9
ng we were all wet to the skin, and hun ;
Try as so many wolves, for we did not
AXE rations enough with us to last US. 8
We held our arms in our hands all night, (
ready FOR anything that might happen
1ut the secesh did not trouble us. In i
h morning we found that the whole line
was deserted, and the old flag that we {
are here to defend was soon waving over
he stronghold of Williamsburgh. 1t {
was a hard sight to go over the ield of I
battle the next morning it was covered {