The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-08-09


: ment think one-half were so tired that they
could not 20 on to the field, hut they were
the fastest to retreat If it had not been so
serious it would have been quite amusing.
! Just imagine how it must look to see thou
sands of men who have never met before,
and who have no particular luminosity against
each other as individuals, rushing into the
death field and mangling and hacking each
other until you could hardly tell whether the
object before you was made in Gods image
or not; but it is the principle of the thing we
are fighting for. A battle is hard thing by
which to decide the abstract question of right
and wrong. I'm not growing cowardly, but
the more reason the more see the folly of
war. But there are men enough, and if the
rebels can afford to stand it, surely when We
have such heritage to fight for We should
not shrink from the meeting, be it amid the
roar and clash of battle or in diplomatic halls
where equal justice is dispensed.
had felt confident all Gay of the victory,
because supposed our head men knew that
Manassas was the enemy's stronghold and
that once taken the victory was almost done,
and vet they rushed and hurried US on with
nothing to eat, no cavalry, no artillery, and
not one-tenth part enough to compete with
H., lot+ Va bod
ing to support them when they gave out
There has been some cool swearing among
the troops since last Sunday. hear Nc
Dowcll has been placed in arrest for his gross
Encouragement there are dark whisperings
about his loyalty; some say he has two sons
in the Southern army, but doubt its truth
fitness; one thing know, with the unbound
ed resources of the North, it is shame to
suffer the reverse We have, We might just as
well have had 100000 men as 10000; TO-
600 cavalry instead of 800 or 400, and 200
cannon as well as the few guns We had. We
had better been a month in battering down
batteries and in making gradual approaches
than to have lost the day. For my part, if
my life would have turned the current of the
battle, would willingly have made the sac
litice. | trust You know me well enough TO
know that nerer will fotsake my country in
the hour of her adversely. | have no fears
Of the final result of this contest, but this has
retarded the onward movement vastly
Beaurcgard said himself that if Manassas
had been taken, he could have done no more,
the war would have been decided. | scarce
ly expect to live through certain it is that
my proud spirit can never stand another dc-
teat-'tis victory or death | had rather die
than run again, and wW do it.
Mcclellan takes command Of this division
soon and he is a man We can trust, and when
We get organized again We will wipe out this
stain. Our next battle will be hard one
and shall not finch from my post for friend
or foe. | never came here 10 run.
| am di>,u,ted with Virginia: the soil is
nearly all red. the land level and covered tol
miles with low dwarf pines there are some
tine forests. but YOU may travel all day and
not see a house. and the houses ard villages
are Just the reverse Of neat Vermont homes.
Our defeat the other day as near the pl4c.
where Gen Bra.dock suffered so severely in
h. early wars. II my memory serves mt
right. his attack was made on Sunday also
certainly lie Eel! into the traps Of the enemy
much like Mcdowell We are Away. in
danger on Sunday-in truth those are the
days they take for war purposes. Waterloo
was fought that day and =, hundred others
might mention.
We know something Of the little scenes
enacted Just around US in battle-the truth is
no one sees tatt,c-we h.ar the roar and
see the smoke md knor when The death
struggle is going on. The Generals get a
little wider view, but they depend mostly On
the reports of their aids and couriers. lis
true 10 one sees except Him who sees all
things 1t must have been the direct agency
of Providence TO save 50 MANY of US from
that fiery tempest that rained over US. As
We came up among the whi>tling balls ! took
one long look at the SKY and the smoking
hills, then fixed my eyes on the enemy's lines,
looked at my gun and rushed in. have no
further recollection Of any care for the world
or personal safety. | never was cooler when
firing at target than was when aiming nv
old muskct at the rebels. | NAY not have
killed man Of them, but pitched them
some cold lead, | know that much. lost
all my baggage, except what | had in my
pockets. Our wagon broke down and our
baggage was abandoned BY the teams,cr In
thinking of our defeat have grated MY teeth
to the quick through very madness. Be the
war one month or ten Years, 4 am III for il,
have no fears for me, for am well and in 4
fighting condition.
One or THE TIGERS"
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