Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-06-20

oelueI Cnurcn was formed IN the lOllOWlng
order: Col. Duryea's Zouaves led Town
sends Albany regiment, Clark's Rifles, one
company Vermont and Massachusetts troops
Artillery aud the Steuben Volunteers.
1t was hot, sultry, dusty, and the men
were thirsty. They had nothing but a little
hard bread to eat and no time to eat that ex-
cept on the march, but the soldiers without
murmur plodded on with the steady tramp,
tramp.
An incident occurred when our part of the
line was about two miles from the battle field
which cannot fail to mention. AS we pass
ed mansion, beautiful woman, a perfect
type Of southern beauty, stepped forward
through the Shrubbery and stood at tn front
gate beneath the shade of a Mulberry tree
She was evidently deeply agltated, the
flush was on her cheek, but her demeanor
was calm. One of our officers was asking
her some questions as we passed, evidently in
relation to the situation Of the rebels before
US, and her face was picture of contending
emotions, between the natural tIankness Of
her nature, the cunning adroitness of he
mind. and the deep interest which she felt
for some friend, perhaps brother or husband
who was in the rebel camp. No wonder
that spectacle brought a tear to the begrim-
med face OF many dusty soldier.
We made the march with one or two short
halts and came npt to the enemy at about
half past nine o'clock, in as unfit a condi-
ton for battle as hungry, thirsty, tired men
co Id be-
The field was an open space, including a
large corn field directly IN front and an or
chard with high grass and bushes beyond the
corn field in which the rebels We're drawn
up in line. On either side of this space were
woods heavily timbered, so that it was impos-
sble to flank them with artillery or infantry
in column, or to take any position in the
rear. The line was formed by Col. Duryea's
Iouaves on the right, Col Town sends Regt.
on the left of the front lne-the Steuben
Volunteers on the right, and Vermont and
Mass troops, on the left Of the second line.
Our line was not formed when the rebels
opened upon us from a heavy battery. The
Zolaves at once threw skirmshers into the
w obs on the right, and Capt. Ripley was or
dered to take the Rutland and Burlington
companies and advance into the woods on
the left As skirmishers and to hold the
woods against any flank movement bv the
rebels. Ne had bur Just got into line when
the advance movement VISA commenced
and our line advanced through the woods at
the same time the two lines moved upon the
enemy in the open field. The column in
two lines moved through the open space in
fine style and in good order, under a heavy
fire of artillery which proved to be from
batteries containing ten cannon, and some Of
them riffed guns. The Iouaves made a
charge, after the rebel troops had retreated
into their fortified works. Col. Townsende's
regiment made a charge as soon as they
reached the works and there the Vermont
and Massachusetts men and the Steuben
Volunteers charged again but it was in
vain The position was too strong to be
carried by assault from such a force inside.
The position instead Of being simple
camp with less than thousand men as we
supposed, proved to be strongly fortified with
heavy guns, strong embarkment and deep
ditch and held By a force variously estimated
at from 800 to 5000 men. Our men charged
upon the work. until the ammunition for the
cannon was expended except four shots which
had to be saved to cover the field on the re-
treat-and stood under a fire of musketrv
which providentially was high. but which
more resembled the steady roll Of thunder
than reports of single guns. The batteries
paid the Rutland and Burlington companies
the compliment of the special attention with
grape and canister and rifed balls. Ii was
Gods Mercy" that we were not cut TO
pieces, for the balls and shell flew ike hail
stone among the trees and yet strange to say
not a man was killed or hurt in either com
pany. | saw ball strike a tree by the side
OF James Everson's head and supposed him
shot dead but the fellow sprang up and took
cover behind large tree. Sergeant Lamson
lodged Just in time and only Just in time
to save his head. Many other similar hair
breadth escapes occurred. Lieut.. Credible
commander of the artillery was shot through
the head while at his guns by a rifle cannon
shot which killed two other men al the time.
He was in the regular service, was an ami
able man, perfect gentleman and a true
soldier He had been with US at our camp
here and the men had become attached to
him He served his guns with accuracy and
effect, and was shot in attempting to cover
the retreat. His sergeant dashed his body
upon the timber Of the gun and brought II
from the field.
The loss cannot speak of with any accu-
racy as a thousand rumors are floating, but
it is lightest in our regiment and heaviest
among the Zouaves.
One company OF Zouaves lost ten and
their loss must be heavy as they were round
a murierous fire well served. | saw our
Zouave Captain brought from the field in an
ambulance wounded in the thigh. He was
pale and bleeding but saw his surgeon or d
horse and requested to be put on it. The
surgeon advised him not 10 attempt to mount
but he sprang from his ambulance and With
little assistance, counted the horSe-grt~ped
the bride ricns with his lief, hand and draw
ing his sword with his right waived it with a
look Of exultatioN above his head in the sun
light, and called out in a voice of thunder,
hut with an expression Of exquisite lain,
Company eight fall in" and
rode away at the head Of his men,-the
blood dropping at every step of the horse
| do not know his name, but know him to be
brave and hope him speedy recovery. Tie
Zouave practice is efficient on the field +
The Zoua7es fell when a volley was DE-
liyered at them and at once rose and fired.
Single Zouaves would creep along on his
belley and puck the artillery men from their
guns. 1t was more unpleasant to see the
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