Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-08-15
LETTER FROM TIE 2ND REGIMENT.
Camp Ltfe---The March to the Battle of Bulls
hun---Conduct of the Regiment in the
Battle---The Bravery of Officers
and Mon.
CAMP OF SIC. vi. REG, CLERMoNr, miles I

from Alexandria, Va, Aug. |, 1861.
EDIrORs OF THE TINES: | am aware that
when left Burlington promised to write you
often in regard to all matters pertaining to the
Vermont Second, and am equally aware that
| have not kept my promise; but when you re-
fleet moment upoT my duties in camp and
position in our Regiment, you will, | know,
forgive me. The history of our triumphant
route from Burlington to Washington has, by
this time, became exhausted and / shall pass
over that and take you to the hill east of the
Capitol in the most terrible shower of rain that
was ever known, and there you may see our
boys, wet to their skins, pitching their tents
and preparing their supper, on the afternoon
OF the 26th Of June. OF our stay in the city it
is enough TO say that we had grand time, and
enjoyed ourselves hugely. But at last the or
der came to "strike TENTS" and we packt d up
"duds" and started for some point, the exact
location of which we were not informed; but
time, which always brings us out somewhere,
brought US, about sun down, and in an awful
thunder shower, out at Commodore De For
rests estate, about six miles west of Alexan-
dria.--Herc, wet through as rats, we pitched
into the mud and went to sleep. | was so per-
fectly worn out by the labors of the dav that |
had not strength to raise my tent, and by invita-
ton from Capt. Dillingham;, whose tent was up,
coat around me and laid down to pleasant
dreams!
The next morning we arose under a scorch-
ing Virginia sun, which soon dried us off, and
we found ourselves in very pleasant location
and here let me say, that during all the rain,
toll and fatigue of the day, not murmur or
word of complaint was heard from one of our
men. They bore themselves, as they always
have. We now learned that our Regiment was
the advance guard towards Manassas Junction,
and that we were occupying post of danger
as well as honor. Here we commenced our
first lessons in active field operations. We were
Immediately in the enemys country, and our
time was pretty well occupied in guard and
picket duty. Of all nur adventures have not
time or space to write. Others have given YOU
the history of them, and will only say that
our boys were always on hand and ready to do
their duty, however difficult or dangerous.
About this time we were advised that we
were joined to Col. Howard's Brigade, which
was composed of three Maine Regiments and
our own. We found Col. Howard to be one
of the finest of men, and a perfect gentleman
in every sense of the word, and we have since
found out that he is as brave and noble as he
is good. / canrot pass without also bearing
testimony to the kind acts and gentlemanly
department of the Colonel's Aids One is his
brother, and splendid fellow; the Others are
Lieutenants Buel and Mordeca, from West
Point. We haveiall received many kindncsses
at their hands. But we must pass along and
come down to the time when we received Or
ders from headquarters to put ourselves in light
marching order, to move with all the grand
army upon the enemy, cntrenched at Manassas.
The morning we were to march was Monday,
and we all arose with light hearts at an early
hnn md bnI ~ oil IL al, g.
the encounter. We did not receive orders TO
march until about noon when we left our camp
with three days rations in our haversOcks and
started on that fatal journey
We marched all the afternoon and most of the
night and finally brought up on side hill where
we had the extreme pleasure of laying down on
the damp ground with our clothes all on for
sleep and repose. In the course of the after
noon bought me horse, as we had no horses
which aided me very much in the march, and
that together with now and then a cheering
word from Col. Howard spurrcd us on in good
spirits. The next morning, Tuesday, we start
ed early and marched all day and encamped in
fine piece of woods that night where we stop
ped until Thursday morning Tuesday we rout-
cd about 700 Of the rebels from their camp and
they left in such hurry that they had no time
to gather up their provisions which were eager
relish. Thursday morning we weighed anchor
for Centervlle and arrived there after dark and
went into camp. When we started Thursday !
was ordered by Col. Howard to take two COM
panies of our regiment to act as rear guard oil
the brigade, which means to march behind all
the baggage wagons and see that they were
brought into camp safe. Just at dark we came
to a very steep hill about one half mile long
and attempted to ascend it, but 10 and behold
of all the horses and mules which were hitched
to that long train Of wagons, not one would 90
up that hill. Here was question for lawyer
The main body of the army was far in advance
and we left behind with the pleasing reflection
that we were liable at any moment to be pitched
into by the enemy and all our baggage taken
and ammunition appropriated to blowing out
our brains. We raved like mad bulls and you
may not be at all surprised if before we left
that delightful spot there was considerable tai
extemporaneous swearing. The result was We
unloaded the wagons, carried the baggage all
up the hill on our backs, pushed the teams up
loaded and went on our way rejoicing. When
we arrived in camp we found the boys all anx
ious about us and fearing some evil had belaller
us. | am deeply indepted to Capts. Drew and
Hope and their gallant boys for their assistance
on that occasion. I'VE remained at Centerville
until Sunday morning at 2 o'clock A. NJ. July
| 2lst, when we started for Bulls Run.
Saturday evening at Dress Parade the chap
lain of one of the Maine regiments made mos
affecting prayer after which Col. Howard ad
dressed us upon the events of the morrow and
told US that in all human probability that wa'
the last time we should all meet on parade ant
expressed the hope that we should all behave
like m N and never turn our back to the foe in
| the hour of conflict. lie was answered with
cheer and "neper," which echoed through the
woods of old Virginia for miles. AT two O'Clock
A. NJ. Sunday morning we started and atte
marching abont one mile we were halted ant
remained there until nearly seven. We wer,
now advised of our destination which we were
told was to march around Bulls Run between
that and Manassas and cut off the retreat of tn,
! rebels if they should attempt to retreat on tht
| latter place. About seven we marched on somt
three miles and halted near the cross road
! Here we found Gen. Mcdowell and staff and al
the other notables of the general army. They
all put on airs and looked as wise as sheep ant
so did we. Here we stayed until about ten o.
clock when a dispatch came for Colonel How
ard to move his brigade out to Bulls Run, a
"douhle quick" as our services were likely to b,
needed there very much before sun down. The
order came "fall in" and so we went on deaL
run Tor about ten miles, through woods, owe
fences, bitches, rivers and everything else-sooI
our men began to give Quit was hot as thu
thermometer would allow and no water bu
stagnant pools, which frog would not live in
to drlnk--during this time we could hear III,
loud roar of tha hottnr;as tbo,, oa al