Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-06-20


Virginia, June 10, 1861.
5 o'clock, P. NJ.
We have just returned from the battle
field of the Gross roads," and Bethel
church" and closed a march, including coun-
ter marches of not less than thirty miles |
hasten to lay the facts and incidents of the
two battles before those having friends in the
Vermont Regiment, supposing that many
painful apprehensions will be entertained as
to the safety of our men,
1t must not be supposed that | am able to
state with accuracy all the details, either of
the plan, or execution; but of such incidents
as came under my personal observation, /
will attempt to give a faithful picture.
On Sunday evening, at dress parade, five
companies of the Isl Regiment, including the
Bradford, Northfeld Woodstock, BurIing-
ton and Rutland companies were detailed
to be ready for secret expedition, TO leave
camp at midnight, at which time those COM
panles with full ranks. Except those on guard
and the sck) fell into line 1t turned out
that an intended attack was to be made Epon
two camps of Rebels, about two or three
miles apart, and said to be about eight miles
distant from this place; and that the force was
to be composed of the portion above named.
of the Nermont Regiment, FIVE companies of
the Mass. 4th Regt., "Clarks Rifles" one
company in advance, with the ~ v. Regt.
Steuben Volunteers, as a reserve, with a
twelve pound field piece in their rear. and
two field pieces OF flying artillery, under the
charge of the regulars Lieut. CREDIBLE, com.
manding the Artillery.
Lieut.. Col. w ashburn, OF the Vt. Regt.,
and Major Whittemore of the Mass 4th Regt.
commanding the detachment from this post.
20 5 -t,rtl ct ~
and Col. Townsends Regt. from camp, near
Fortress Monroe,-the whole under the com
mand of Gen. Pierce
When we fell into line, We were ordered to
take along our haversacks with hard bread,
enough for breakfast, and water in our can
teens, which by the way are wholly unfit for
the use intended, as they are made of rubber
cloth, and it is impossible to cleanse them of
the nauseating taste of the material of which
they are composed. The attack was intended
to be made in the night, and we were to dis
tingush trends from foes by using the signal
OF the word Boston" We took up our line
of march at twelve-the column moving for
ward silently. Clarks Rifles in advance of
the VT. Regt., Mass. 4rh artillery and Stu
ben volunteers in the above order
The distance proved to be much further
than We suppo,ed, and we were IN a sandy.
dusty road-practically without water. as the
stagnant pools on either side Of the road
were unfit TO taste, and we could not stop at
the wells OF the few houses we passed to drink
1t seems impossible that so large a column of
men could be moved with so little noise 1t
was only duh sound ike the wind in the
distant forest, as the tramp, tramp of the men
fell into the sanity roads broken occasionally
by the click of bayonet against it's fellow.
as some soldier would slump in the dust
deeper than usual, and reel against his com
rade 1t was impressive to hear the Whisper
ed commands ofthe officers, and oft they were
distinctly heard. 1t proved to be the dead
march in a manner that adds peculiar sadness
to the misadventure which among the men is
called the battle Of the Gross Roads
The column had arrived within a short dis
lance of where we expected to find the first
encampment of rebels, with the exception of
the reserve or Steuben Volunteers They
are Germans, and had halted at the cross
roads two miles IN cur rear, and brought their
cannon to the front. Just at that moment,
Col Townsend's Albany regiment came up
under the command of General Pierce. and
neither regiment expecting to form a Juno
ton at that point with any portion Of the
force, both regiments NUT ally mistook each
other for enemies, and in an instant, fire was
opened on both sides.
The roar of artillery and hundreds OF mus
kets. Just at early twilight, apprised US as we
supposed, that we had been outfanked and
the enemy had engaged our reserves in the
rear An instant coutermand and double
quick" every step of the way, soon brought
us back over the two miles we had lust pass
ed to the cross roads. 1t was still too dark to
distinguish uniforms at distance. The Al
bany regiment had taken position on some
high ground beyond large open field and
among buildings and trees.
The Vermont and Massachusetts men were
deployed into the open field in front and
formed in line-but before the line was form
ed a shell was thrown al lis from the build
inns which fell short Of the line several rods
They commenced breaking down the board
fences to open the way for charge. Col.
Washburn rode along the line End aid,
"NVhen they come, give them one vOiley and
the cold steel at double quick" We gave
the signal Boston," and were answered but
could not distinguish the reply. Major
Wbittemore of the Massachusetts 4th, with
great coolnes5 and presence of mind rode
forward upon white horse and went clear
up to the buildings to ascertain the true
character of the troops. II was a brave act
and ought to enttle him to the first rank as a
man of personal courage. AT this moment
Capt. Ripley was ordered to take three
companies on the right OF the line including
the Massachusetts 8th, the Rutland and Bur-
lington companies, and depIoy to the right,
into thick underground Of pine to cut off
a flank or rear movement upon US in that
quarter and to hold the road through the
woods The captain moved his command
rapidly but in perfect order to the position
indicated-detailed ten men from each com
pany TO cut down the bushes Immediately
in front Of us and awaited the result
As it came on perfectly light and with fur
Their investigation the sad truth dawned upon
us, that battle had been waged between our
friends-but owing to the darkness the NOR
tally was not great, there being but four Kill
led and seven wounded. , ~ sasg
Col Dnryea,s ZnnaYes came m afstllls