Camp Advance, Fort Smith
4th Vermont Regiment

Friend Swain:—We are now encamped on the “sacred soil,” at the advanced post of the division, in the vicinity of Chain Bridge. But a word regarding our trip.—

We left Camp Holbrook, at Brattleboro, Saturday evening about 8 o’clock, and arrived at New Haven about daylight, and embarked immediately on board the steamer Elm City and landed at Jersey City Sunday, about 12 o’clock, and started immediately by rail for Washington. We were furnished at Philadelphia with a splendid supper, and I assure you the boys did ample justice to the good things, for more hungry set would be hard to find. I understand every regiment passing through is fed—and in good shape too—a large building has been erected, and everything arranged in the best shape, with a separate room for working, which is all supported by a voluntary subscription, with plenty of pretty volunteer girls to wait on the bold soldier boys.

Washington Correspondence of the Boston Journal.

In my school-boy days one of the most pleasing pictures in my geography by Malte Brun, was that intended to illustrate the character of the Green Mountain boys. It was simply a picture of a regiment of men on the march. An explanatory note said that they did great service in the revolution, that, they were tough, hardy, steady fellows, or something to that effect. The note is not half so well remembered as the long line of soldiers, marching over the hills and through the valleys, is to me the most vivid of all the numerous pictures in the book. I cannot remember what illustration gave the character of any other State. I remember only the Green Mountain boys.

The picture was recalled as I visited the Green Mountain boys of to-day in their encampment located in just such scenery as you may find in Vermont. There I found the 2d Reg., Col. Whiting, and the Third, Col. Hyde. My visit was to the last named. Every thing was neat around the camp, everything quiet. The Provost Marshal’s quarters of the brigade are near the guard tent of the Third. As I entered the camp I saw three soldiers of the New York 33d standing on pork barrels as if they were about making stump speeches, yet all three were silent as if waiting each for the other to begin. Occasionally they turned round as if to survey the scene, and catch, perhaps, the significant gesture of a soldier off duty, but they were dumb orators and were only paying penalties for slight offenses taking green corn without leave of the owners, or offenses of similar turpitude.

But little of importance transpired at “Camp Underwood” yesterday, the day being spent entirely in the routine of army duties. The dress parade at 6 30 P. M. was very well executed, considering the slight experience some of the companies have had in the manual of arms, and the entire absence of uniforms and muskets.

Captain Henry Whiting has received his commission as Colonel, and will take command of the Regiment to-morrow.