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6th Vermont Infantry
Kimball Collection
Letter to the Editor
From the Sixth Regiment.
________
CAMP NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH,
Va., April 4th, 1863.
FRIEND EARLE : It has, indeed, been a long time since I have taken the pen to address the Standard, which is, as I have ever claimed, a friend ; and in doing so at this time I feel the force of insufficiency, at least of writing that which will at all be interesting to your readers, for in fact there has nothing occurred among us, or in the whole Potomac army, for the last three months, of great moment or importance ; perhaps a cavalry raid, and that is all.
We learn from the Herald that has just been brought into camp that the Vt. cavalry had a fight with the enemy near Broad Run, April 2d, and that Captain Flint was severely wounded. This we lament to hear, and are now anxious to learn the particulars.
The weather is very stormy, and cold much of the time. March was much more winter-like than December. Even now the storm is howling, the ground covered with snow, and our tent threatening to come down over our heads at every blast of the angry tempest. We learn from the inhabitants that it has been 'a heap of years' since they have known such a cold, backward spring. It is really remarkable for this time of the year in this latitude.
It is the foul, stormy weather that has kept the army so long inactive ; though we have expected to receive marching orders for a month, and again go forth to do battle for our country. We are all willing, though not anxious to go ; and there are but few, after being in eight battles, anxious to engage in another.
There is a rumor that the 6th corps, of which our brigade forms a part, is going to remain hear for the defence of Falmouth and this region of the Rappahannock, while the remainder of the army is to be taken elsewhere. This, however , is but a flying report, and I give it no credence. We look forward with high hopes to the time when Gen. Hooker will do something decisive for our cause; yet I am not in favor of applauding him to the skies before he has achieved the glory. This is too much the case with the American nation. They will cover a man with glory as soon as he has gained a high position, before he has distinguished himself, or won a name ; and then if he makes a misstep or a failure, he is trampled to the lowest depths.
Our division was reviewed two days ago by Gen. Hooker. It was a fine military display. The health of the brigade has not been so good since we have been in the service as it is now. But few deaths have occurred this winter-still our ranks are thinned and we are looking forward with delight to see them filled up by drafted men. When this operation commences there will probably be a good deal of squirming at the North ; but this don't trouble us any, and we lose no sleep in consequence.
April 5th, 9 o'clock, A. M.
The ground is covered with about six inches of damp snow, and still storming and rough. One year ago this day we marched from Young's Mills to Warwick Creek, on the line of the enemy's fortifications from Yorktown to James River, and came under fire of their guns. The day was very warm, and the men began to lighten their knapsacks by throwing away overcoats, blankets, &c. To-day we should suffer without them.
I can see nothing to indicate a terminus of the war, more than existed a year ago, only that one year has passed ; but we hope for something effectual to be done this year, after we get an addition of two or three hundred thousand conscripts, and may its close find our nation at peace. May that Being who governs all soon gladden many homes by our return-bring slavery down-have treason fall, and make rebellion cease.
Yours truly,
F. M. K.
Co. G, 6th Vt. Vols.