The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-08-05
The Second Vermont Regiment in Battle

The Second Vermont Regiment in Battle.
The following is an extract from Il letter
from a member of the CAPITAL GUARDS to the
NeUsdeaer. The writer is son Of John Doty
Of this village. The letter will be read with
interest:
SECOND VERMONT REGIMENT, Co. f.,
Alexandria, July %, 1861. {
The main body of the enemy were entrenched
and strongly fortified with plenty of cannon
Sharp's and MIME rifles, on the highest point
of land in the whole country, and surrounded
by heavy timber. The land we had to pass
over to get at them, excepting in front, was
open ground for miles, exposed to their bate
ries. The Third Brigade was detached from
the main body about 10 O'Clock, and put
through on double quick time, and made a Cir
cult of about eight miles, and came up on the
left of the enemy about o'clock in the after
noon At this time our men had driven the
Rebels one mile. Our Brigade passed over this
ground, covered with the dead and dying, every
rod Of which presented some awful spectacle,
and showed that the ground had been given up
| only by inches. Wagon after wagon load OF
poor wounded soldiers were carried off to be
cared for by the different Surgeons of the Eegi
ments. They appropriated the secession houses
for hospitals The cry Of the wounded was,
g Oh, for Gods sake, drop of water; >
q Don't step on me, boys and like express
sions Our Brigade marched in line of battle,
with charged bayone's, the smoke and dust SO
thick that we could not see a rod ahead OF us,
and the cannon balls and shells from the enc
nys battery falling thick around US. speak
now more particularly OF the Vermont Second
We kept good line, not a word, only from
our officers, was heard the whole length of the
line ; we met parts of regiments coming away
thew would saw .'God bless you boys, you are
in time we have Jared hard give it to them
another half-hour and the day is ours" AS
we left the bushes and advanced over the hill on
double-ouick time, within IL mile of the bate
nv. thew poured into us storm ofiron hail such
as is seldom faced. The Vermont boys yelled
6 Hurrah for the victory and glory Of the OLD
Green Mountain State" We got within about
40 rods OF the battery, on the side hill, where
/ we halted and formed a perfect line, during
winch time the rebels about 1000 advanced
within about 80 rods of US and commenced lr
g inc on US the word was gwen US to fire; we fir
un1er then we were ordered to fire feet owe
t fha;r leads, we did SO, and noticed the effect
1 They commenced reireatlng'
< Ahout this time our batteries ceased, as alter
: wards proved, for want OF ammunltion' an
o commenced retreating this encouraged ,he Fet
S els who fired on US with renewed vlgor, but tn
: Vermont boys stood their ground and drove thel
st 10 mile bu, their batteries then opened on
r anew and the order was given us to retreat
d We were mad, however, and fired voheys ai''
re the order was given, when Major Joyce run n
st horse down the line and said - vermont ooy
,e Won have done WE'LL but for God s sake retrea
tie the artillery have run cut OF ammunition.
We slowly turned and picked up our wounde
bows, but had to leave our deao on tlie onoul
field H' The main body We're by this time una
1T headway on the retreat. We retreated IN goo
order until we got to Bull Run, where harro
IN mass, a bridge and deep creek, ooS'f w
+ ed hy our artillery, caused the line to halt ~
- bridye constantly covered with heavy cah M
Is and horses gave way, making perfect loss OF
J. Twill say nothing of myself, but tins W
]. not shot in the back, nor front, that kno"
lie though hot lead flew a little nearer my ne
than was agreeable. -Four of u.s. pretty o g4'
k friends. Stood in the front rank anu eiou o,
]. {. Give them specimen of old Ethan Aile'
A; bravery" AS i am very tired VIII closs T.,
!; saving am good for good many more ny
40 lor i'''''' Truly Yours,
:. ....... GEO. w. DoTY.