Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-08-02
FROM THE SECOND VT. REGIMENT
ALEXANDRIA, Va, July %, 1861.

ALBERT CLARK, ESQ. e.
Dear Sir When the head of
our column came up to theirs, they opened on us
with their artillery, We had then marched fifteen
miles, were all out of breath, had had no break
fast except hard crackers which eat the
march, had drank nothing but muddy water and
the last two miles of our march we had made on
the 'doube-Quick !" but Notwithstanding all that
we went into them, and drove them back TO their
stronghold. There they drew on us and gave as
the best whipping an army ever had But we
fought until we were ordered TO retreat, and then
camu bitter disappointment to crown day of Sc
we're fighting, hard labor and dreadful misery
They followed us up with artillery and cavalry in
the rear, while they sent force around to cut of
| our retreat whore we had TO cross bridge but
they did not cut us up very badly there, for we
took to the woods. We could not return the fire,
for we had ammunition.
The number of killed and wounded is not known,
| for we had TO leave them all, poor fellows. Only
two of them in a shed that | stopped in on our re
treat had their wounds dressed think there
must have been fifty in that shed, and they were
only small portion Of what were on the held.-
Our Orderly Sergeant of the Fletcher Company
had his arm shot through. | took him off the field
and helped our surgeon perform the amputaton
and Just as had got through and got IT done up
the order came to retreat to our old quarter; but
when we got there we found that no place would
be safe for us short of Alexandria and we kept
"a A'fAN
miles in it, think never saw. We arrived here
about II o'clock on Monday forenoon, making a
bout thirty-six hours that we were under arms,
marching in the time at least fifty miles, and fight
ing severely about half an hour. When | say
this | mean the Vermont regiment; you will see
by the papers how long the tight lasted, from
A. NJ. to 4 Z. NJ, think
When we arrived here we were tired, hungry
; and wet our feet were bstered and bleeding
All the wounded came on that were able. To-day
we are sore and lame not a man of US can wall
: without limping.
We expect the wounded that we left are al
murdered; for we showed flag of truce ON the
field, and they fred into it. l nailed white fla;
on the door OF the shed where some of the wound
ed were, and left with our Orderly two canteen
OF water, filter TO drink through and some har'
crackers-all had. Then had to leave or b.
taken prisoner. The poor fellow begged OF me u
get team and take him along, but that was ini
possible. l had TO leave him TO the mercy OF
! southern ohiratyy. / have heard since that th
4 building was blown TO pieces by their artillery an
G the wounded all killed.
o Our Surgeon lost all his instruments and had I
run for dear life | could write a whole week 0
incidents which came under my observation. but
h am tired aud weak, and must close. More anon.
Yours truly,
e ABRAHAM FoRD.
e The above letter inclosed photograph of Co
Ellsworth, which the author found near the bod
It of fire Zouave who had been killed in the battle
. Il was taken in New York, by j. Quincy a. Son
as their card is on the back of IT,