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1st Vermont Cavalry
Correspondence"Marcks"
LAMOILLE NEWSDEALER: January 8, 1863
FROM THE CAVALRY
CAMP OF VERMONR CAVALRY: DEC. 31, 1862
Mr. EDITOR:---”Brevity is the soul of wit”. Through brevity alone does not constitute wit, I will be brief.
Before you receive this, probably you will learn the particulars of the cavalry raid in the vicinity of Accotink. As many of the boys from this regiment were on picket in that neighborhood and were where the rebels made their appearance we, here in camp, were anxious to know the particulars. The first rumor that reached us were magnified to suit our eagerness. But now it seems that none of this company (I) were taken. Lieut. Cummings of Co. D, is reported a prisoner. It is also said, that one man from Co. E. was killed and others injured, but we hope these rumors will yet be reduced in size. The first stories had two-hundred and fifty of our regiment taken prisoners!
So you see rumors exaggerate in Virginia as well as in Vermont. It is now certain that the Vt. Cavalry took a number of prisoners, but how many is uncertain.We nominally occupy the same camp which we have for several months, but nearly all the men fit for duty are scattered along the pickets in front of the defenses of Washington. Dates stand something like this: --- Nov. 25, received two-hundred and fifty horses from Vermont; Nov. 28, a detachment sent out,Dec 2, received one hundred and fifty more horses; Dec. 4, another detachment sent out; Dec. 20, more sent out &c. As fast as the horses are received men are sent to front to do picket., so that now there hardly well men enough in camp to do the most necessary duties. Whether Burnside be successful or McDowell a traitor, our regiment is kept at work.
I see you have chronicled the restoration of our Colonel. After waiting anxiously for a long time, and entertaining either hope or fear, as one or another rumor reached us, we were at last made certain of his reinstatement by his appearance among us once more. He returned on the 23d inst, to take command. Nearly all those taken prisoner from the regiment were exchanged by the late negotiation. But one from this company is now a prisoner, Marshal Sias, being paroled from Annapolis. The others who were not already here came into camp and resumed their duties on the 19th and 20th. A considerable proportion, howeve, were already here, having been stopping with us though not on duty.
Ir is now the last day of 1862. The holidays. Now almost gone, brig vivid to the soldiers mind the remembrance of the enjoyments of home. Though this regiment has not participated in any of the feasting, social pleasure which their friends have been enjoying, yet I can assure you that conversation has often turned on that topic, and it is no mark of disloyalty if the wish had been heard, “that I could be at home a few days more’. So hoping you and all your readers have had a sumptuous Christmas dinner. I’ll wish you a happy New Year, and lay down my pen.
MARCKS
Submitted by Deanna French.