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6th Vermont Infantry
Kimball Collection
Letter to the Editor
From the Newsdealer
From the Eleventh Regiment.
_________
WASHINGTON, D. C. June 2d, 1863.
MR. EDITOR.-As I have not written to you for some time, I will now write a few words to let you know the Artillery boys are still at their old post and hold their ground manfully, and beat back the enemy as fast as they don't attack us. And they don't' attack us pretty fast. For the last three nights there has been 18 extra guards detailed from this post, besides a squad of a Sergeant and 4 men set our on patrol or scout, to prevent an alarm from the "starving confederates," who are reported to be 40 thousand strong out there in Maryland. Mr. Georgo O. Taplin, of Irasburgh, Orleans County Vt. came in the other day from a chopping expedition, and said he saw 20 thousand drilling in light artillery, on a flat just beyond where our pickets used to be. I didn't want to tell Taplin he lied, but I thought he talked just as I do when I lie. But to tell the solemn facts I suppose he was only ridiculing the idea of the rebels daring to come so near the eleventh regiment. [Hurrah for Taplin] There is a foundation in his story, as there is in million others that are flying around camp at the present time-foundation like an old barn I know of in Vermont, just no foundation at all. Since we came back from the "front," we have not sent out pickets for fear, (I expect) that they would get "gobbled up" by some negro fellow citizens. Last night, and night before last, we were called up at 12 o'clock, and went into the Fort and drilled a while on the big guns. This was done to see which Co. could rally round the guns quickest. Co. F, was the first, but bully for Co. H, who was tight to our heels.
The regiment now gets together every Sunday and has an inspection, passing in review, and has a dress-parade, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Yesterday two companies of the Massachusetts cavalry came into Fort Massachusetts, also six companies of the California cavalry. To-day they are going out on a scout. There has been some excitement here on account of the rumor that the 11th is going to Fort Wool, on the north-east end of sheep-island. Last Saturday we drew two months rations of Greenbacks. Sunday several of the boys were taken dizzy and complained of having too much beer in the bowels. The weather since the 14th of May has been grand. Farmers have commenced their haying; strawberries are ripe, and skunk rosies are in full bloom. There will soon be an abundance of black, blue, and huckleberries, apples, peaches &c. Then we will live high, like a widow in the garret. This afternoon at one o'clock there is to be a general parade and at five a grand review.
As to the prospect of the termination of this war, I think the "rebs" will have to "cave in," when we get them all "starved to death." You have probably heard tell of the rebel Brigadier "General Starvation," I think he will do to go with our Major "General retreat."
The health of the regiment is very good, compared with what it was through the winter. Our company has but one very sick; Egbert H. Mead, of Irasburgh is considered dangerous with typhoid fever.
Fort Totton are firing their 100 pound gun at target. Glory to Totten.
E. H. WEBSTER.