Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-05-31
regretted by all the troops that the bO1y could
not be sent to his family and friends.
E-yt of bap has What

regretted by all the troops that the bo1y could
not be sent to his family and friends.
The first of our band has fallen. What more
can a man ask than that it be said of his deceasc
"that he died in the discharge Of his d3yy' What
more noble epitaph could be inscribed on the
tombstone of man than that e'he died in the serv-
ice Of his country ?"
On Sunday morning there was a Regimsntal
service; the Regiment was formed into a hollow
square, the officers and chaplain being inside.
After prayer the singers in the Regiment were
invited to approach to the centre, and about fifty
responded. After singing, the Chaplain read
chapter, and made short exhortation, and closed
by singing Sweet Home" The whole service
did not occupy more than half an hour.
As you have already heard the first offensive
blow has been struck, in the attacking the batter
les in process of erection on Point Sewell. 1t Is
about or miles from the Fort, and of course
in plain sight from the Fort. We knew nothing
of what it at the time, nor of the result until
we read it in the N. Y. Herald. We the fir
ing. and the bursting Of shells but Of their effect
or the general result Of the action We were en-
,irely ignorant.
W,9nsday.-Our Company is on guard to day,
an am writing this in our tents on duty. Gen.
Butler arrived with some troops, have not learned
how many. Many more are expected soon. It ii
said On good authority that he stated tc one Of
cur staff Officers tina. unless our Regiment
enlisted for three years, we should be
| sent home Immediately. There is Ao doubt Sc
to the statement being made BY him; Of his su-
thority for SO stating, Of course can say moth
!pg. I think, however, that that the prospect Of
your seeing any Of Us before the expiration Of the
three months Is very small. and possibly Of some
Of u, a. that time.
! Our picket guard discovered several men, with
muskcts, about 50 rods from them in a pine grove
this forenoon; they were about a mile and hall
/ from the Fort Col Dmmick came down immc
dia,cly and enquircd about the matter, aud sent
two Companies OF Mass. boys, out on a scouting
! expedition But they returned in about hours
without having seen anything. Our men were al
kept awake and kept a very strict watch al
night
Ttwsdsg.-0ur Company were Of duty to-day
after 9 O clock until p. NJ. About half past
| this afternoon the drum beat, AMI We were called
to he ready and fall in in fifteen minutes, to &
over to Hampton (abolt {? miles, and drive Of
OF take an oucampment q secessionists, said to Il
there. After we had formed, tie Adjatant (Ste-
vens) passed along the line and said that Gen
Butler had said be would give the Vernon
Boys a chance to be in the first eight
The entire regiment went except the Rutlan
Company, and they being on guard could not 60,
much to their disappointment I can assure you-
Capt. Ripley, however, vo lantecrcl t. % and ac
as aii-and did 20.
The march, although somewhat dusty, still wa
very pleasant, through a most beautiful country
and if it was not for the curse upon it, would seen
to be the G17fo ef n. UH'ar.
Our advanced guard reached the village o.
course somewhat before the Regiment, ard discov
erei the bridge just before them to lie on fire
The double quick brought them to the sro; il
slor, metre. an the Colonel in the front. The
aro was soon e1,inguishel wi;h but little damage
The burned portion vas soon bridget over sufh-
GENTLY 70 allow Of the passage of the troops.
W. marched over tho bridge and pissed on into
the village Geo red) ard TUNED around arc
came blck
We learned afterwards .ha. they bal hut few
troop, there, and they vere merely the Hon.
Ga1-5" They had three cannon with ;hen, one
Of which they di5nountei AMI threw into the
River, and the others III ey took away with them
and with them and their troops they m ght have
made the passage over the bridge, which is very
long AMI narrow, an exceedingly difficult one
Up to this time We have rot heard word
from Vermont since we left Rutland, and it is
with great anxiety, and little patience that We
watch for mail.bags as tbe Steamers discharge the
carCoes.
Z Tie Communication now between here and New
/ York, through Baltimore, is perfect snd oct a
ma ! every DAY.
4 Friday -a.,7.-The jams 1dye- came In this
/ morning with the Il Regimen; Of New York Vol
u1teer=. VIC hope 90 lear something by it froul
Torml1.
lour-, E.F