Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-08-09

throwing away guns, knapsacks, clothIn
and everything that could that retard thei
progress. Thus was the dav won, and tn
long bright Sabbath closed, lovely ful
moon looking down calmly and PEACEFUL
upon the bloOdiest field that the continen
of America ever witnessed.
Our loss is fully two thousand killed an
wounded.
1t is reported the New York Fire Zouaye
WIS portion of the forces attacking John
ston S division, and that they fought desper
ately, climbing upon the heaps of their slair
in the very faces Of our men. a proof o.
their valor is furnished in the fact that ou
of nine hundred of them that entered the
battle only two hundred and fifty were left
to retreat.
The CAMP OF THE THIRD VERMoST.-Mr
Walton writes to the Watchnsan from Wash
ingtOn. as follows:
July q, I66l-1 P. NJ.
| have just returned with Mr.. Baxter from
the camp of the Sd Vt. Regiment. 1t is at
the chain bridge above Georgetown, about
six miles from the Capitol. They have the
post of honor, being the regiment most ad-
vanced in that direction. The post is now
held by two regiments, with twelve pieces
of artillery, 10 guard the bridge. Our scouts
this morning were in sight of a camp of
about ten thousand rebels and some of their
cavalry came within mile and a half Of the
bridge. The cannon are planted and charged
to sweep the bridge and the opposite bank.
While we were there a detachment of Vt.
axemen commenced cutting down the trees
on the river bank, to clear the range of the
artillery; and as we came past the bridge
one hundred men were ordered to cross into
Virginia and cut down the groves there, to
prevent them from becoming hiding places
for the enemy. This morning Massachu
sets captain and two men came into Camp
Lyon (the name of the Vermont camp, and
given in honor OF Gen. Lyon of MisSouri,)
having escaped from the enemy. They
forded the fofomqc about fourteen miles
above the chain bridge; Of course the enemy
can ford the river also. On the whole, we
thought things were getting TO be decidedly
interesting.
The camps Of the two Vermont regiments
are perhaps the very b-st Of all the camps
for beauty OF location, pure air and good
water. The second Is located around the
residence of Commodore Forrest. one of the
most beautiful places IN Virginia; while the
Third is upon hill overlooking the POt0-
mac, and sufficiently smooth to admit Of easy
movements. The approach from the river
is extremely abrupt, and will take very
largely superior force of infantry TO get ac-
cess to the camp. 1t IS open, however, to
artillery from the Nirglnil side. A lew of
the men are sick, owing to the tatlgues OF
the Journey and change Of climate.
An UNUSUAL Incident UPON THE BATTLE
FlELD.-Col. Richardson, commanding the
fourth brigade in the recent battle, has made
an official report, in which he gives re-
markable statement Of COLLISION with Col.
Miles, in command of the reserves. In ODE,
dieDce to orders from Gen. Mcdowell (after
the retreat had commenced), he formed his
troops in u position u oppose the enemy,
then supposed TO be approaching, when Col.
Miles undertook TO interfere with his orders,
and change the disposition of one Of the
regiments What followed We give in his
own words
Il Immediately inquired OF Colonel Stevens
the reason Of their position being altered. lie
told me that Col Miles had directed this move
mont | asked him Why Col. Stevens replied,
I DO no. know but he had no confidence in Col.
Miles | inquired the reason Why Colonel
Stevens answered, Because Cal. -h.les IS ssa7t
That closed the conversation. sent Col stevens
back with his regmeat to form close column by
division, as at FIST. | then reported to Capt
Alexander that 1 had been interfered with IN
my disposition Of the troops during the day, and
could not carry out Con MeDo"Sii oiueIs as
Tong Hs L inteTfered with by a drunken man
Capt Alexander then answered that General
Mcdowell now vested the whole disposition OF tho
troops with me, and that l must use my own Judg-
ment l went 10 place another battalion In hne,an
! was met By Col. Miles, who ordered me to form
that regiment in another direction l replied
that should obey no more orders that he might
see fit give Col. Miles then said, Col. Ricnard-
son. shall put you in arrest told him Il never
should obey his arrest, and that he never could
put me in that position. Col. Miles answered
that be did not understand this. l said nothing,
and went on with further disposition OF the troops,
which was done according to the next diagram.
As soon as the line Of battle was well formed,
the enemy's cavalry made its appearance on the
Centreville and Manassas road, and ordered
Lieut.. BENJAMIN to open his rihed cannon upon
them, which he did, and the cavalry disappeared
after few shots. Ii was now nearly DARK, ana
the troops enesmped in their present posltlen.-
About ten o'clock P. NJ, zen. Mcdowell IN
formed me that retreat was resolved upon;
that the troops must be started On the road to
Fairfax as soon as possible and ordered me to
move last and cover the retreat OF the army with
my brigade.
/ told the General would do SO, and would
stand by him as long as any man wonld. lett
with my brigade at o'clock 4. NJ, after all the
other regiments and batteries had retired. On
reaching Fairfax fonnd i, abandoned by our troops,
and | covered the rear bringing up my brigade
in good order the New York regiment in front,
then the Massachusetts, (Fifth) regiment anl the
two Michigan regiments IN rear OF the whole
Arrived g. Arlington at o'clock 7. ". on Mon
day after the action -