November 26, 1862: the 16th on picket and the 12th alone in Camp Vermont

"Wednesday 26th Engaged all day in building our log houses. Last night it rained hard, but this morn is clear, & the wind has blown over for the present, but I do not think we shall remain here this winter. To me it is far more likely that we shall follow the other 3 regiments in a short time. But No one can tell. Dress Parade as (it is getting to be,) usual." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 42-43,  Co. C, 12th Regiment

"Tuesday ... while we were gone [on picket] the 13th, 14th and 15th were marched off in the night toward Bull Run, leaving only the 12th and the 16th to do the picket duty that had previously been done by the whole brigade, and as the picket lines have been so arranged as to take a full regiment at once, the 12th and 16th of course had to relieve each other every 48 hours, and must continue to do so until some of the absent regiments come back, or some other regiments are sent out to take their place." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of December 1, 1862. 

"The 13th, 14th and 15th regiments made an advance on the 25th inst., at 9 P.M., amid a rain storm which continued through the night.  They marched about 25 miles, and are, I understand, doing guard duty at Bristow’s Station, on the Alexandria and Manassas railroad, about five miles from Fairfax Station.  It is thought they will return again, as they have done nothing towards moving their tents and other effects from here.

"Lieut. L. Raymond of Co. B 12th Regiment, died on the 25th inst. at Washington of inflammation of the brain.  Lieut. Raymond was of the firm of Raymond & Daniels of Woodstock, and as a citizen he was esteemed and respected by all.  The loss to his company is severely felt.  His remains have been sent to his relatives and friends for interment." ~ E. D. Keyes, 1st Lieutenant, Company H, Sixteenth Regiment, writing as "Duane" in Letter of November 29, 1862 to Bellows Falls Times, published December 5, 1862

"3 regts have gone out Bull Run way to guard a bridge a day or two. Proctor has gone. My Reg’t is all out on picket." ~ Col. Wheelock G. Veazey, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter to Julia, November 26, 1862. UVM Center for Digital Initiatives