CAMP DOUGLAS, CHICAGO, ILL.
MARCH 18th, 1863

EDITOR NEWSDEALER:–Thinking that perhaps a word in your columns from a member of the Lamoille Company in the 9th Vt. would not be uninteresting to their many friends at home, I will attempt to give you a few words concerning us. We are still walking the beats around Camp Douglas, and our glistening bayonets tell Mr. “Seceesh” to keep at proper distance, or suffer the consequences. Our men go on guard every other day, which is quite fatiguing, still they do it with but little grumbling, and we have learned that complaining is of but little avail in the army. Our company (H) by some unknown agency has been reduced to the small number of 15 men for duty, and a total of about 50 men. Besides the great number sick in the different hospitals in the city from this company. The smallpox has been fearful inroads, and leaves the same sad record that it usually does wherever it spreads to any extent.
Six of our company have had, and are having it. Fifer Geo. W. Bagley had it lightly, and has recovered, and is now detailed as a nurse in the smallpox hospital. James R. Steene had it very hard, but is now convalescent; Judson A. Robinson, dead; Corporal Albert A. Niles, convalescent; Second Sergeant David P. Barnes, dead; and Victor M Frazier very sick, yet hopes are entertained for his recovery. Judson A. Robinson died on the 13th, and Sergeant Barnes on the 16th of March.
They were both young men of good standing, good habits, and flattering prospects in life. The loss is irreparable–much respected by officers and men–always prompt to duty, and always did their duty without complaining. Both are martyrs to their country, who have sacrificed their lives to maintain our glorious Government, assailed by a band of [the] most fiendish traitors that ever disgraced a nation on the face of the earth.
We have men in the City and Marine Hospitals, and as many in regimental hospitals, many of whom we hope to soon have with us.
Our fare is very good and many thanks to our excellent Quartermaster (F. Sawyer), for his untiring efforts in our behalf. We soon expect to lose our much respected Colonel (Geo. G. Stannard), as he is now Brigadier General, and will soon take the field in his new capacity. The good wishes of all of us go with him, as we know him well deserving [of] even a higher place, and will venture to say, that he will give a good account of himself wherever he may be, and will never turn his back to the enemy, unless ordered to do so.
He shows a clean record in all his military duty, and has proved himself an able and efficient commander. We should hate to spare him, did we not know that [in] Col. Andrus, his success, we have another of the same stamp, and one who has the confidence of us all. We are anxious to be removed from the quiet of Chicago, into Gen. Stannard’s brigade, and we have the promise of the general of its accomplishment if within his power.
Yours truly,
L.H. Bisbee