The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-22


to Yermonters
Newports News, June 70, 1861.
DEAR FRIEND KEMP WI all was ready
kneeled down and invoked the aid. guidance
and blessing of God. still feeling that | was
not quite prepared, stepped into my tent took
roll of bandagcs. pair of scissors. needle
and thread. then bidding farewell to those who
were not able to 20 with Us, formed in the
ranks
The battle-crv was Boston, We were to
attack it By storm on charged bayonets. Three
Regiments OF New York Zouayes from Fortress
Monroe were to attack the enemy in the rear at
the sama time.
On we march. \ heavy firing commenced
al about half past three 0 clock in the rear and
the Germans were fully engaged, as we then
thought with the enemy, but it proved 10 be
otherwise. The New York Zouayes, true TO
their orders, had marched to the spot, but by
some objectionable mistake OF the officers IN
command, or of the commander ln-chlet, they
had not got the battle cry. The Germans went
forward with the shout = Boston, and not get
ting Il response opeGel fire; in an instant all
was enYeOped in smoke; the Z0uayes threw
themselves on their faces On the ground, the
bullets and cannon balls passing over them.
Our forces were stationed on the lei. OF the
the fght-the shot whistling over us, and the
she'll exploding close BY.
Il was then about | clock. AS felt hungry.
got out some cheese and biscuit. and made an
excellent dinner How wonderfully 4 nine hours
march improves mans appetite jus! as
was done. We received orders to charge forward
and take Our position SO as to engage the lett OF
the enemy s battery. twas, perhaps, the worst
place that could be ass gned us, and probably
for that reason we got it. Forward we went,
however double quick time. through swamp
and brush, over stulnps and logs through the
woods where the whole fire of the enemy was
sweeping We entered ditch that lei to
little plain which We crossed, then waling a
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 the next
instant found Inc face TO face with the enemy.
fired, loaded, fired again. reloaded and so on.
Oar march was so rapid, and our appearance
SO unexpected. that we took the enemy by sur
prise, and it 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
left--fe!l dead A bullet entered the ones
:
received bullet through the crown Of his cap.
In short time we succeeded in silencng the
enemy. The Zouaves had crossed the bridge,
and the Rifemen were Oh the entrenchment
Had We then charged bayonets, in less than ff-
teen minutes the whoe would have been ours,
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 bugle sounded
a retreat, Col. Washburn gave orders to fall
pack, and the almost gained victory went up
in the smoke of ours and the enemvs powder.
To obey that order was the sternest duty have
been called upon TO discharge throughout my
life.
We again entered the wood and gained the
road. Cnder..a tree the Surgeon was trying to
stop the wounds of one of the Zouaves. A
bullet had entered his right side and passed out
through the left The Surgeon was telling
him that be could not live. His last words
we're" Sir, | cannot die-I do not wish to
die am not prepared to dc-I have every
thing to live for" 1t is Il pity such noble men
are not prepared to die. While was looking
at him. a slot Of the enemy took the head of a
Lieutenant Of the artillery. the leg Of one of
the men, and wounded another. Two of our
Regiment were wounded, but none killed One
OF the Bradford Guards had bullet 60 through
his hand and enter the chest. The boys wanted
to carry him off, but he told them to wait till
he was done firing. Finally. he marched home
with US and had the bullet extracted afterward
The boys in our Company say they saw me
on the top of the works taking it pretty coel'
and giving orders to fire steady, and almost
think they are right. In marching out, some
of our men entered a yard to get water. The
owner came cut with two revolvers and fred
upon them. Instantly he was taken prisoner
and his house set on fire. When we returned,
the people had mostly left their houses except y
few negroes There was one, however, a neat
and beautiful cottage ccupied by white fam.
ily-the windows and doors were open, and out
side the house large picture of Washington
was hung between the blinds The smile of ev- 4
cry man greeted the house, for We knew their
sympathies were with US. On another house
also was the picture of Washington, with the 4
inscription" The defender of our Mothers
will protect their Daughters 1919. 4
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
tillery Yours truly,
CHARLES FISHER.
Baltimore. June 81. The Americans Cores.