Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-08-02

renamed LQeI6 Only HOOut al uIuA'
light we were on our way again. Col. Howard
to take the brigade back to our old en-
campment at Clermont, though all the other troops
had gone either to Alexandria or Washington
After staying there a few hours, as there were
alarming rumors, and many Of the ofticers ana
men were anxious to come to town. Col. II; pro-
cured q train of cars and took them to Alexan-
dria, where he obtained quarters for the four rcgl-
ments.
-FOUR Army Correspondence
FROM THE SECOND REGIMENT.
In CAMP FOUR MILES WEST OF
ALEXANDRIA, AT CAMERoNs nun,
July &c, 1851.
MrssRs. EpIToRs OF THE FREE Press
You have undoubtedly heard full accounts Oh
the late battle, and I will relate only a few IN
ciden.s which may not be uninterestins.
You will perceive that we arc back at our old
camp; but how differently are we situated
We left this place full of hope, confidently ex-
pecting to be victorious; but hero We are with
ou. tent. our knapsacks. containing all those
little necessaries which were furnished US by
kind friends at home, ia the hands of the enemy,
and moro than all, friends that We hold most
dear are either dead or wounded upon the battle
field, or what may be worse, held as prisoners by
a cruel and unrelenting enemy. But the fact
that there are not as many missing as we at first
expected, cheers US up somewhat.
We were called into line at 2 o'clock, AN. on
Sunday, and marched on towards the battle held.
We passed Centreville on the way, where many OF
the sick were left in the hospital. 1 saw many
poor fellows shedding tears as We passed, and
- -.l.I:t- - sharo NTH nE the
dangers of the battlefield. When about two
miles south of Centreville, we stopped several
hours to await further orders. We started again
towards noon, and then came a march, the mere
thought of which even at this time makes me
shudder. The heat was almoIt sufocatinG, and
we found water only two or three times in cur
long march. l call it water, but it was nothing
but mud-holes, through which the army ahead OF
us had passed. Hundreds fell fainting by the
roadside from sheer exhaustion. Capt. Drew had
been very sick during the preceding day and
night, and undertook the march contrary to the
remonstranccs of the Surgeon. He marched
bravely at the head of the company some eight or
nine miles, when he fell from the ranks. He
afterwards managed to get on to within a mile Of
the battlefield, where he was last seen.
Half a mile from the field we passei a church,
which was crowded with the dead, dying and
wounded. 1t was painful to hear their agcnizips
cries as we passed. The roadsidcs from this place
were lined with the mangled remains of our own
and the rebel forces. As we came in to the open
space, the battle ground itself, we were exposed
to a CALLING fire from one of the enemy's batteries.
In this place a cannon ball came so near to Lieut..
S~harplcy as to take his breath away, and he was
carried stunned from the field. We marched
nearly half a mile exposed to this fire, and al
though the balls struck all about us, they did not
seem to do much execution. After reaching a
hollow on the extreme front OF our position, we
halted for about five minutes for rest. We saw
the artillery and cavalry leaving the field, and
felt as though We were almost deserted, and that
the battle was lost. At this place w formed in
line of battle, aud marched over the hill. By
this time there was not more than two-thirds of
our regiment in line, but those that were marched
up rcsolutely, determined to do their duty.
was a heavy growth of underbrush, in which the
rebel infantry lay concealed. 1t was at this
place that our fire was directed. although we
could catch only occasional glimpscs of the enemy.
Cur boys we're much cooler than was to be cx-
pected, and minded but little about the rifle balls
of the enemy, although they would make an occa-
sional bow to the cannon balls and shells. We
had fred some six or seven rounds when the
order came to cease firing, az we were firing upon
our own men. This was clused by a detcstablc
russo of the rebels in hosting the stars and stripes. |
We stood from five to ten minutes without firing.
When the rebel flag came out again, everybody
pitched in warmer than ever. We fired, upon an
average, about fifteen shots, and stood in line
from half to three quarters of an hour. The
order was given three times to retreat before we
did so, and then many were left upon the field
who were determined to give them a few more
rounds.
On the retreat as we were leaving the field, we
were exposed to another dreadful fire. Then we
joined in a retreat almost unparalleled. Everybody
was looking cut for himself, and trying his best to
lead the rest. In this way the stampede was kept
up till we reached our old camp at CentreviiIc. |
AitVI az houi . lcst, Il icticht was kcpt up ~
Alexandria, where two or three days rest was given
US, until yesterday, when We came on to our pre-
camp.
t. sum up, We have thuty5fue ~missing-threeo Of
whom are known to he killed. OF this number |
Company g have four missing, to vii: Capt. |
Drew, Private Henry Conro, Benjamin Martin, Of
South Hero, and John Redmond of Gainesville. |
N. i. Capt. Drew was undoubtedly taken pris-
onor. as he was too unwell to get away. Como
had staid back to ielp along a friend, VIII II his
t'ken prisoner at the same time, but managei to
make his escape. lie reports that prisoners were
well treated, but were compelled to take an cath
not to take up arms against the South. He saws
that the hospital near the battle ground was blown
up by the rebels on Sunday night, wi h all its &C.
cupants. Martin and Redmond were seen on the
retreat, and are undoubtedly taken prisoners. In
G we have three wounded: John Bell,
r. Nelson and Vim. Jones, all slightly.
We are now awaiting our equipments, and after
we have a short rest, 1 think will be ready aud
willing to take the feld-although we are I'M
willing to do so, until We are fully equipped.
We hive been visited since the battle, By
Messrs. Bowdish, Shaw and Garfield, to whom we
are indebted for many little favors. 1 hope our
will send us endorsements from Burling.
ION and vicinity. We had a rare treat last week.
in the shape of two boxes of provisions from Mil
one of which was lost on our retreat.
Yours truly, W.
The use of intoxicating drinks has become
30 fragrant an evil among the soldiers in
w ashington that it has drawn the attention
Congress. Some days ago Senator Wilson
brought the subject up in a resolution, and