The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-08-03
Gle uai!p 4;recruon.
NONTPELEEss, va,
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3. 1861.
From the Second Vermont Regiment.


The following is an extract from letter writ
ten by d member of the Waterbury Company,
to his parents in Barre. 1t gives some inter
esting details of the engagement at Bull run,
about which all are so anxious to learn;
BUSH HILL, NEAR ALEXANDRIA,
Sunday. July %, 1861.
DEAR PARENTS Our detachment was sent
as reserve to cut off the retreat of the enemy,
if there should be one in our direction, and if
not, to be ready for any emergency or any duty
which they might assign Us
We marched about four miles from Centre
vile, wher- We halted in pleasant grove near
Gen. McDowel's quarters, and awaited further
orders While resting, we could distinctly hear
the incesS4nt reports OF cannon and muskatry
from both sides, and listening for ourselves the
sound Of charges\ we were satisfied that our
forces were gradually driving the emmy, when
! the order came to forward, which was prompt
! ly done. Gen, Howard gave the order to for
ward double-quick time, which pace was kept
up for over four miles, through an open field,
most OF the way, and the sun pouring its melt
ing rays directly in our faces, The result Of
this, (Which was wholly Unnecessary YVES that
many OF the troops were obliged to leave the
ranks; many of the men were sul-struck, some
eren dted from the effects of it. | was one of
the number that was sun-struck, suppose for
| cannot tell what else it could be. | run as
long as could stand. when fell perfectly in
sensible, and remained so for nearly an hour,
should judge; the first knew, some one was
pouring water upon my feet, wrists and head,
who also gave me something to drink. | have
since learned that it was the Hospital Ser
geant, and he tells me there were over hun
dred in the same situation that was. After
came to realizing sense of my situation. |
threw away my blankets and tried to regain my
feet, which finally succeeded in doing, and
started at IA slow pace for the battle ground. |
passed several deserted (concealed) batteries,
from which our troops had just drove the Reb
els, and arriving upon a small hill, had a dis
tinct view Of the grounds Below was small
valley, from which the Rebels had but II few
moment before retreated to another but a short
distance. | passed to the opposite hill, looking
for our Regiment, but could hear nothing from
it until the retreat commenced, when met one
of the walters, who told me the Regiment was
badly cut to pieces. Several Regiments passed
me on their retreat, before | saw any of the
boys from our Regiment. But at last found
n n one who told me the position of our brigade
which / Immediately started for. l could moi
get much further, however, as the retreat had
become general and troops, artillery, and bag
gage wagons were rushing in all directions.
Up to this moment supposed the vic 'ory was
:. complete, and our troops were fast driving the
far from it. The Rebels had Just received rein
forcements. and were m aking a desperate eharg
upon us, which our forces, having been engage
}. long time and being nearly exhausted, coul(
not stand will not give q description OF tu
retreat as you probably have already as goo'
II an idea OF it as could give you but sGtnce l
TO say. there was one general stampede. Dn
ring our retreat we were cut off once near Bal
run where there was small battery Whlci
opened upon us with some effect but was snoi
siIenced bv Il reserve Of our troops who Wer
.efr in the ycinity. The Rebel cavalry made
charge unon us at this point, but were met p
ours, and out of eighty, only eight OF ten sue
ceeded in escaping our fire. was IN snaI
ravine through which all Of cur troops had t
ry pass. and which was completely blocked up D
the baggage and ammunition wagons Whel
the last attack was made, had just passed on
of the wagons to which there was TWO morse
attached. when shell burst near the wagon
+, which frightened the horses, and they, comm
II AGAINST me. knocked me down, when the horses
wagon and all passed over me. Three me
- were killed near by the shell one Of them fe
by nv side. One musket bali passed throug
nv pants near the right ance, and another ii
nv sword belt near my left hip.
- We retle .ted to our old camp, from which W
started in the morning, and should have mad
a stand there, but it seemed to me that the o.
' fccrs were more frightened than the troo3p
"a though suppose they expected there would a, !.
an advance OF the Rebels to Washing ton, W
had stopped only few moments, when the OF
:, der came to march 10 Washington, which W
est did. arriving in Aaz,ndria the next morning
making march Of over fifty miles IL httl
over wen tytour hours.
The Barre boys thut We're in the engasemeI
were Strong, Jones, Beckley, Goodrich an
Camp who displayed wonderful cooness' takir
deliberate aim They receive especial rra,
from the officers Wiley was sick with II
measles. and was left with several others at tt
,ur bospital at Centrevile. Smith was just &c
-, tin1 over the measles, and was with the pa
- gare. team, but came very near heing taken prl
oner. J..
Our loss in the whole division Is SAID 10
about 500 or 600, but we cannot tell ye''
stracalers arrive every day. There has been
- estimate of the loss in our Regiment ma
which will not exceed 40 killed. From o
NJ Comnany there are missing, but we think tn
y are only taken prisoners. am informed ire
sear' reliable source that our Colonel was not ne
so, his command. He paraded his Regiment a
~ a.;.od 20 a large tree. and watched the procee