Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-11-01


yell and fired a volley; then began fight
ing in their usual manner; first giving
yell and volley then loading and firing
at will for few minutes; then ceasing
an equal time; then giving another yell
and volley, and so on, pouring a murder
Gus fire into our little band for the space
of half an hour. The whole woods around
swarmed with them. They had no artil-
lcry and no cavalry. Our Rhode Island
ers, except the officers, deserted their guns
but COL Baker, Lieut.. Coi Wistar, Col.
Coggs,oeH, and Adj. Haroey manned the
battery, and fired the guns hcmselOes, aid
ed by Company G, First California, led
by the gallant Captain Beiral. (rhe lat
ter was conspicuous for bravery through
out the action is wounded, but not dan
gerously, and is now safe on Maryland
ground.)
We kept up both musketry and can
non fire as well as we could, but half the
time we could not see the enemy, and his
cowardly discharges were thinning our
ranks; still most of the men stood fire
and acted bravely. The enemy's volleys
and yells increased in loudness, and it
was evident that reinforcments were pour
ing in to his aid Capt. Stewart, Gen.
Stones adjutant, came on the field with
the cheering statement that Gen. German
would shortly support us. At 5 IA P.
NJ. we held council of war, and resolved
to stand our ground, Gen. Baker order
ing me to 60 for reinforcements. By this
time Coggswell was wounded-Wistar
had fallen. The enemy were growing
more daring, rushing out Of the woods
taking some prisoners, and firing hotly.
Just then rebel officer, riding white
horse, came out of the woods and beckon-
ed to us to come forward Col. Baker
thought it was General Johnston, and
that the enemy weuld meet us in open
fight. Part of our column charged, Baker
cheering us on, when tremendous onset
was made by the rebels. One man rode
forward, presented revolver at Baker,
and fired all its charges at him, Our
gallant leader fell, and at the same mo-
ment all our lines were driven back by
the overwhelming force opposed to them.
But Capt. Beiral, with his company, fought
his way back to Col. Bakers body, rescued
it, brought it along to me, and then a
general retreat commenced.
1t was sosUe gm pe"t! | got the
coloncls body to the island before the
worst of the rout, and then, looking to
the Virginia shore, saw such spectacle
as no tongue can describe. Our entire
forces were retreating, tumbling, rolling,
leaping down the steep heights; the enc.
my following them, numbering, and TAX
ing prisoners Col. Devan left his COM
mand, and swan the river on horse back
Col. Coggswell after unavailing bravery
had ordered the retreat himself, but, be-
ing wounded, was taken. The one boat
in the Virginia channel was speedily filled
and sunk. A thousand men thronged
the further bank. Muskets, coats, and
everything were thrown aside, and all
were desperately trying to escape. Hun
dreds plunged into the rapid current, and
the shrieks of the drowning added to the
horror of sound and sights. The enemy
kept up their fire from the cliff above. AL
was terror, confusion and dismay. A
captain of the Fifteenth Massachusetts al
one moment charged gallantly up the hill
leading two companies, who still had theil
arms, against the pursuing foe. A mo
ment later ana Tue same oHicer, PeiCeN
ing the hopelessness Of the situation, waved
white handkerchief, and surrendered thu
main body Of his regiment. Other por
tions of the column surrendered; but th'
rebels kept up their fire upon those witt
E tried to cross aud many not drowned il
the river were shot in the act of swimming
, Night came on. At P. M. all of ou
band whose fortune it was to RETURN hat
landed on Harrison Island, and the fir
from the Virginia heights had ceased.
: The rebels took all our guns but one
When left yesterday they had shoutct
to us, telling us to come over and TAX