Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-08-02

been planted by the rebels. The bomb
burst like an echo close at the intended
point, but still no answer came, and Gen.
Tyler ordered Carlisle to cease firing. and
bring the rest of his battery to the front
of the woods and our column, ready for
instant action. 1t was now about O.
clock. For half an hour but little more
was done: then skirmishers were deployed
into the forest on each side in order to
discover the whereabouts of our nearest
foes. Before us lay rolling and COM
paratively open country, but with several
hills and groves cutting off any extended
view. In the western distance on the left
we could see the outskirts of Manassas
Junction. The woods at whose edge our
line of battle formed, extended half ar
ound the open fields in kind of semi-cir-
cle and it was into the arms of this cres-
cent that our skirmishers advanced. Soon
we began to hear random shots exchanged
in the thicket on the left, which proved
the existence of an enemy in that direc-
tion.
By this time our scouts reported the
enemy in some force on the left. Two or
three Ohio skirmishers had heen killed.
Carlisle's battery was sent to the front Of
the woods on the right, where it could be
brought to play where needed. A few
shells were thrown into the opposite thick
ct, and then the Second Ohio and Second
New York marched down to rout out the
enemy. In ten minutes their musketry
was heard, and then heavy cannonade
answer. They had, without doubt, fallen
upon battery in the bushes. For a
quarter of an hour their firing continued,
when they came out in good order, con-
frmipg our surmises. After advancing
furlong they saw the enemy, who ex-
changed their fire and retired through the
forest. Suddenly from different direction
voice was heard, exclaiming Nov, you
Yankee devils, we've got you where we
want you'll" and several heavy guns were
opened upon them with such effect that
Schenck finally ordered them to retire,
which they did in perfect order. The
boys came out indignant at the practises
of the rebels, and swearing they would
ra.her fight three times their force in the
open field than encounter the deadly mys-
terry Of those thickets.. No soldiers are
willing to have their fighting entirely
confined to storming internal earth-works
at the point Of the bayonet. Every regi-
ment. yesterday, was at times a forlorn
hope"
A few dead and wounded began to be
brought in and the battle Of Manassas
had commenced Carlisle's howitzers and
the great rifed gun were opened in the
direction of the battery, which answered
promptly, and brief, but terrific, can
nonading ensued. In less than half an
hour the enemy's guns were silenced two
of Carlisle's howitzers advancing through
the woods to gain closer position s.
Meantime, Richardson, on the extreme
left, could not content himself with
maintaining his position" for we heard
occasional discharges from two of his guns.
However, he took no other part in the ac-
tion than by shelling the forces of the en-
emy which were sent rapidly from his
vicinity to the immediate point Of contest.
From the hill behind we could sec long
columns advancing, and at first thought
that they were Richardson's men moving
on Bull Run but soon discovered their
true character. Indeed. from every south
ward point the enemy's reinforcements
began to pour in by thousands. Great
clouds Of dust arose from the distant roads.
A person who assembled a lofty tree could
see the continual arrival of cars at the
nearest point on the Manassas Railroad,
with hosts of soldiers, who formed in solid
squares, and moved swiftly on to join in
the contest. The whistle of the locomo-
tive was plainly audible TO those in our
advance. 1t is believed that at least fifty
thousand were added during the day to
the thirty thousand rebels opposed to us
at the onset. 1t was hard for our noble
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