Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-06-25

Our forces were stationed on the left Of the
road, in line of battle, with interest watching
the fght-the shot whistling over us, and the
shell exploding close by.
1t was then about | clock AS felt hungry,
got out some cheese and biscuit, and made an
excellent dinner. How wonderfully nine hours
march improves q mans appetite DUST as
was done, we received orders to charge forward
and take our position 50 as to engage the left OF
the enemy battery. twas, perhaps, the worst
place that could be assigned ns, and probably
for that reason we got it Forward we went
however double quick time through swamp
and brush, over stumps and logs, through the
woods where the whole fire OF the enemy was
sweeping, We entered ditch that led to
little plain which We crossed, then wadlng
brook we landed on the other side with our
boots full of mud and water With the shout,
" Boston, we rushed to the fight, and thenext
instant found me face to face with the enemy
| fired, loaded, fired again, reloaded and SO on.
Our march was so rapid, and our appearance
SO unexpected that we took the enemy by sur
prise, and ii was more than five minutes before
they returned our fire. They fired briskly,
however, when they begun. The bullets played
Yankee Doodle round my cars, some thing like
smart hail storm, but with more noise Two
Germans-one on my right and another on my
lelt-iel dead. A bullet entered the ones
heart the others head. A man on my right
received bullet through the crown Of his cap.
In short time we succeeded in sllenclng the
enemy The Zouayes had crossed the bridge,
and the Rifemen were on the entrenchment 49,
Had we then charged bayooets, in less than fit
] - bo Iat - hay
, for the enemy were already running through
the sally ports in the rear Of their camp, but
at that very moment. Gen. Pierce gave orders
to cease firing and fall back the bugc sounded
q retreat, Col Washburn gave orders to fall
back, and the almost-g gained victory went up
in the smoke Of ours and the enemy powder
TO obey that order was the sterncst duty have
been called upon to discharge throughout my
! life.
We again entered the wood and gained the
road. Under,,a tree the Surgeon was trying TO
stop the wounds Of one Of the /ouayes.
bullet had entered his right side and passed out
through the left Fho Surgeon was telling
him that he could not live. His last words
were" Sir, cannot dic--l do not wish to
die am not prepared to die have every
thing to live for. It is "a pity such noble men
aIe not prepared to die While was looking
at him, shot Of the enemy took the head Of b
Lieutenant Of The artillery. the leg Of one Of
the men, and wounded another Two OF our
Regiment were wounded, bulnone killed One
of the Bradford Guards lad a bullet 60 through
his hand and enter the chest The boys wanted
to carry him of, but he told them to wait till
he was done firing Finally, he marched home
with rs and had the bullet extracted aiterWald.
The boys in our Company say they saw me
on the top Of the works taking it "prattyco0l, ''
and giving orders 20 fire steady, and almost
think they arc right In marching oa;, some
OF our men entered yard TO get water The
upon them. Instantly he was taken prisoner
and his house set on fire When we returned,
tie people had mostly left their houses except %
few negroes There was one, however, neat
and beautiful cottage occupied by a white fam
lily the windows and doors were open, and out
side the hons. large picture OF Washington
was hung between the blinds The smile of ey.
cry man greeted the house for We knew their
sympathes were with us. On another house
also was the picture Of Washington, with the
inscription" The defender Of our Mothers
will protect their Daughters. y
But ! must close have Just learned the
cause of our ceasing firing was that there was
not half pound OF ammunition lett for the ar.
? tilery, Yours truly,
CHARLES FsnEF.