Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-06-28
MISCELLANY Y.
Incidents at Bethel.

! The following is an extract from the let.
ter of Adjutant Stevens to his brother al
luded 20 in our last. 1t was written TO his
brother and gives an account Of the cap
ture of a rebel officer, in which he had a
hand-and foot--as follows -
A; the junction orders had been given to
leave one gun and four companies as rear
guard, which, was done, and on we went.
We had proceeded about mile when the
rattle of musketry and roar of cannon in
dnced US to believe our rear guard was at
tackled, and donble quick to the rear our col
umn went to sustain the rear guard. Be
ing in front, by changing direction l was
in the rear. Just as we halted to start to
the rear ON hearing firing, rebel scoundrel
came out Of a house and deliberately fired
his gun at US. The ball passed so close to
me that | heard II whiz--on its way going
through the coat and pants, and Just grazing
the skin of orderly Sergeant Sweet, Of the
Woodstock company. The rascal was Sc
cured and is prisoner, and what was done
by way OF stern entertainment to one of the
f. f. VS. you will hear if / ever live to
return. then, as the firing to the rear
had ceased, with the revolver in hand, ac-
companied by Fifer, approached the fellow S
house, having some expectation of an ounce
OF lead being deposited in my tall body
without asking my permission. By this
time all our troops were out of sight in the
woods, by turn in the road, and was
alone with Fifer, when some negroes came
from behind the house, having less fear Of
two men than two thousand. On inquiry,
the slaves told me that Adutant Whiting,
whom we had just taken prisoner, was the
owner, that he belonged TO the secession ar
my, and that no white folks were in tbe
house, all having left-without the cercmo-
ny OF ringing, | entered and surveyed the
premises, and found most elegantly fur
nished house. ! took hasty survey in
search OF arms, but finding none, left the
house and started to overtake our column.
On reaching the bend in the road, | took a
survey to the rear, TO see what l might
see" and discovered single soldier coming
towards me, and waited for him to come up.
found il was Clarke, Of the Bradford
company. Before he reached me, | OBJ
served a horseman coming at full speed to-
wards me. On reaching the house he turned
IN, which induced me to think him seces-
sionist. | ordered Clarke to cover him
with his rife, and revolver in hand, order
cd him to dismount and surrender. He
cried out, " who are you answer +" Yer
monti Then raise your, piece Vermont; ;
| am Colonel Duryea, of the Zouaves; )"
and SO it was. His gay looking red boys
just then appeared turning the cornef of
the road, coming towards us. He asked
the cause of the firing in the rear, aad
whose premises we are in. | told him he
knew the first as well as did, but as to
the last could give the full information that
the house belonged to one Adjutant Whit
ing, who, just before, had sent bullet
whizzing by me, and shot one Of my boys,
and that my greatest pleasure would be to
burn the rascal's house in payment. +" Your
wish will be gratifed at once" said the
Colonel. am ordered by Gen. Butler
to burn every house whose occupant or
owner fires upon our troops. Burn it,
He leaped from his horse, and | upon the
steps, and by that time three Zouaves we're
with me. | ordered them to try the door
with the butts of their guns-down went
the door and in went we. A well packed
travelling bag lay upon mahogany table.
tore it open in hopes of finding revolver,
but did not. The first thing l took out
was a white linen coat. | laid il on the ta-
ble and Col. Duryea pat lighted match to
it. Other clothing was added to the pile,
and soon we had rousing fire. Before
leaving, went into the large parlor in the
right wing of the house--it was perfectly
splendid. A large room with tapestry
carpet, nice piano. fine library ST mis-
cellaneous books, rich sofas, elegant chairs,
with superior needle-work wrought bottoms
what-nots in the corners. loaded with arti
cles of luxury, taste aud refinement. and
upon mahogany center-table lay a Bible
aud lady's portrait. The lat two arIi-
cles / took and have now in my possession.
also took a decanter OF most excellent
old brandy from a mahogany side'bOard,
and left the burning house.
An account in the New York Herald,
mentions the same affair, as follows: -
When Col. Duryea's and the Vermont
regiments had passed Adjutant Writings
house, Gan officer in the Southern army.)
they returned when The firing commenced