Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-10-04


The situation of the Federal troops grew
moro desperate as day after day passed
Within their lines were picket'd about the
wagons and trains, large number Of horses
and mules, nearly 5000 in al. now n scruds
cause Of care and anxiety, for as shot and
shell plunged among them. many OF the an
imals were killed and wounded, aud from the
struggles Of these latter the danger Of Il gem
era stampede was imminent. The havoc in
the centre Of tho intrcnchment was immense.
Wagons we're knocked to pieces, stores scat
tered and destroyed. and the ground stlowed
with dead horses and mules.
On Wednesday the l7th, an evil from the
first apprehendcd fell upon Col. Mlllgan's
command. They were cut of from the river
and their water gave out Fortunately
heavy rain, at intervals, came greatly TO their
relief. But to show how severe the straits Of
the men. the fact may be stated Of instances
occurring whore soldiers held their blankets
spread out until thoroughly wet and then
wrung them into their camp dishes, carefully
saving the priceless Gaid thf1 Jbuined. lia-
tions also began to grow short Tho fight
ing at this time, from 10th 20 the 2lst, knew
little cessation. The nights were brilliant
moonlight, and all night long the roar Of the
guns continued, with an occasional sharp
sortic and ,kirmi-h wi;hout the works.
From the first but Que spirit pcrvadcd our
troops, and that was no Thought or word of
surrender. except among some Of the Home
Guards, who had done the least share OF the
work and the Sighting. The cavalry behaved
nobly, and could the full details be written
up, some oc thoir sharp, brave charges on the
encmys guns would shine with any battle OK
t,lnifa nn fas.rtl
Gen. Price sent Col Mullgan summons
to surrender. to which the gallant command
er sent refusal, saying, If you want US you
must take u.s.. But the detection and dis
heartenmen, of the Home Guards intensified
daily, and ON Friday the 2lst, while Col. Mul-
ligan was giving bis attention to some matters
in another portion Of the camp, the white
flag was raised at his own instance by Major
Becker of the Home Guards. from The por-
tion Of the entrenchment assigned 10 him.
Captain Simpson, OF tse-fArl Rides. called
Col. MuIGtqn'- attention to Major Beckcr's
action Instantly. and tho Jackson Guard.
Capt McDcrnutt. Of De,roit. were sent to
take down tine hae. which was done The
heaviest part Of the fgtt of the day followed
in a charge upon the nearest battery Of the
enemy. the Illinois cavalry suffering severely
The Home Guards then left the outer work
and retreatcd within the line OF the inncr
intrcnchmenis, about the college building. re-
flsing 60 fight longer. and hero ain raised
the white flag, this time from the center Of
the fortifcatuns. when the fire Of The enemy
slackcncd and ceased. Under thi, state uf
affairs, Col. Mulligau, calling his officers into
council. decided TO captulatu. and Capt Nc
Dermott west out to the enemy's lines, with
handkerchief tied to a ramrod. and par
lev took place. Major Moore, of the Brig
nde. was sent to Gen. Prices Headquarters.
at Now Lexington, to know the terms of capt
tulation These were malo unconditional
the officers TO be retained ,,-,qrisoners of war.
the nlon o. Be all,sasoA- -, irp,s. ,s'ith tasr
personal property, snfrundtlng their arms
and accoutrements
Reluctantly this was acccded to, and the
surrender took place At p. m. on Satur-
day the Federal forces having laid down their
arms, were marched out of the iutrenchments
to the tune of Dixie playing bg the rebel
bands They Left behind them their arms
and accoutrcments, reserving only their cloth
ing. The boys Of the brigade % any Of them
wept to leave behind their colors, each com
pany in the brigade having its own standard
presented to it by their friends. AT the sur
render the muster rolls of the companies We're
taken TO Gen. Prices headquarters, the list
Of officers made out, and these ordered to re-
port themselves as prisoners Of war.
The scenes at the capituluton were extraor-
binary. Col. Mulligan shed tears. The men
threw themselves upon the ground, raved and
stormcd in well nigh lrenzyS demanding to be
let out again and finish thethiug.' IN Col.
Marshals cavalry regiment, the feeling was
equally great Much havoc had already been
done among their horses dasing the siege, and
but littlc more than half Of them remained.
Numbers of the privates actually shot their
horses dead on the spot. unwilling that their
companions in the campaign should now fall
into the cncmy's hands.
The pyivales. numbering some 1900 strong,
were first made to take the oath not TO serve
against the Confederate States. when they
were put across the river, and in charge of
Gen. Rains. marched on Saturday night to
Richmond. l6 miles. whence ON Sunday they
marched TO Hamilton, station on the fan-
nihal and ST. Joseph Railroad where they
were declared free to go whe,e they pleased
While ON this march they experienced gen
erous and humane treatment, both from Gen,
Rains aud from the residents along the route,
such is the statement Of several of our men.
Gen. Rains ordered an entire flock of sheep