Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-05-31
THE DASH ONHAMPTON.

For the following interesting description
of the taking of Hampton, We are indebted
to private letter from Lieut. G. l. HAGAR.
It's date is Saturday last:
Wednesday was up nearly all night as Lieu
tenant OF the guard, only sleeping from 81 to D.
and from IL to IL Thursday morning. In the al
teruoon was up stairs in the mens quarters, when
the Captain sticks his head in the window ADD
calls out: "the whole regiment to fail in, in 10
minutes, fully equipped, for reconnaissance at
HAMPTON" An hour from that time we were half
mile from quarters, on the march, all ready for
battle.
We marched along without anything occurring
I'll near Hampton, We perceived black smoke
rising before US which took for signal, as our
place in the column is pretty well back. 1t seems
as the right approached bridge, they were met
oy an officer, who demanded Of CT. Phelps what
were his intentions, and if he intended to attack
the town. He was snswsred, that depended on
the treatment we received. If they fred on us
we should return it. lie did not wish them to
guarantee the bridge if We would 60 no farther
Col. Phelps answered " will take care Of that,
will put guard on it, Just then the officer
started Of rather quickly, when the Colonel or
dered the first platoon Of the Swanton Company
quick time, then double quick, and started
| Of at a race which aztonished the Svsnton boys,
| and left them behind.
At this moment the fame. burst up + ON the
bridge man at this end Of the bridge said
| You won't ever cross that bridge. The Colon,
orders "put out that FIRE; ami the swanton Soys
put it out by rolling two barrels Of burni1g pitch
| into the river, and tearing Up blazing rlanks.
The opening was then built over AMI the Tegi-
nent moved on. gun carriage lay at the other
eni Of the bridge, with the gun in the river. An
old darkey aid the plan vas " to give Us two vol
lies. and then run like the deb but ~ hea they
saw the soldiers they ran like the debH without
firing" They dismounteI enc gun and threw it
| into the river, and ran OFF With two more.
We marched on to the village, bat finding no
enemy, we came back. Tae secessionists were es-
tima,cd at from 100 to 80
The Troy regiment were landed this morning,
AMI were encamped this side Of Hampton bridge
and will probably take care of it.
There il an order FOR Us to move over TO lamp
ton, but we are in comfortable quarters and the
Adjutant is trying to have it counter1aA1 ded.
II. j. Isham is in the hospital with the measles.
All the sleeping shirts, sheets, and ether hospital
| supplies Of that kind in the hospital are from
| 81. .
about that;
Saf,U3ry morning. Another change just as We
are comfortably settled the order is for the Re g-
ment to move at 10 o'clock. We arc Going to
Hampton to camp. This whole building Is t. be
turned into general hospital, although there are
| perhaps 20 patients lor the whole brigade.
The following. giving some additional
particulars Of interest. J., another descrlp-
ii Of the sam: affair. contained in a phi
vate letter from WV LOOMS, Of the Bur
linSton Company
| Wednesday our camp vas Oh guard, ~hich by
the way Is not very easy work ami yesterday as We
were enjoying ourselves after having been cut
all night, the order suddenly came about clock
to fall in with cartridge and cap boxes and guns.
The companies Of the Regiment formed and
marched cut toward the bridge connecting Us
| with the main land, where We loaded and found
out cur destination was Hampton, miles dis
,snt from the Fort TO destroy any batteries in or
| about The town, ard disporso any force which
| might be there. VIC marched along, seeing H.
thing but al occasional niger or hog, until We
q IL h.- r----
about four companies Of the enemy who quickly
retrea,ed across the river which runs through the
| town. They tried to set FIRE to the bridge, bat
the Col. with his guard started upon the run and
arrived in time TO put it out with the help Of the
seceiers who were near there, and ordered by cur
Col. TO and US. The enemy had three guns On The
bridge two Of vaich they carried q and sunk the
other II the river. The Gel. COMMANDED one IF
n enemys officers to iismount and help put cut
the FIRE, sui be had e. hey. Our men took the
brides from The enemy horses sni hi,caius the
reins to a large wash tub lowered II to the river
from the bridge sud thus drew water to put cut
The fire.
We marched ever the bridge through the .osn,
and having ascertsineI there was nothing there
came back without firing gun.
We might have had quite a fight. hut our C5l
told the enemy if they fred upon u- lie would sack
the town. IS it was We hal quite az exciting time
before the fire was put cut. So you see We have
had slight taste Of war and were mad enough
that we did not have more, for the enemy with the
pieces could have made good stand against US
if they had not been SO cowardly, as the bridge
is about as vide As that at the mouth Of tue
rlver and is 50 old that never could have charged
over 1t without breaking II down, and the guns /
WOULD have completely swept it. The Troy Com /
pany arrived TO day and being sent out ais after
noon as scouts took prisoners pretty good f.r ]
new beginners. W