Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-05-23
tFrom private letter.l
FROM THE SECOND GIMENT.
Mar INV KESI, C. H., Va,
May llth, 1852.


Mar NV kEsr, n, VAL
May llth, 1852.
W. Bsas1et,
DEaR SIR You have Of couIse re-
ceived all the particulars Of the evacuation OF
yorktown, Of the battle at williamsburg and our
rapid pursuit. Of the rebels, and will only mem
ton few Of the particulars.
We had been making ready ell day SATURDAY the
81, for close inspection If arms and equipments
which was to come of the next morning, and were
awakened at sunrise on Sunday fully expecting
and dreading the inspection, but we had hardly
eaten breakfast before orders came to cross toe
creek the enemy worc evacuating-
We had anticipated ne such intelligence, ibut
found upon crossing that it was true. We found
the works even stronger than we had expected,
and the rebels might have held it against far
superior force.
Alter short delay in getting cur knaPsaeks
we stlrted in pursuit with two days ra,ions. The
roads were strewcd with commissary stores and
equipments Of all Kind, which the enemy in their
hss,y retreat were obliged to leave. l have been
told by those who were in the Bull hun retreat
that the enemy threw away double the amour. Of
property that our troops did upon that retreat.
The I'd was ordered 20 skiimisi upon a by-road.
We hal a shot or two ct their cavalry, a. d
alter tray Hing through tho woods and fields until
sundown We were ordered to j-i- tie Brigade
viii b bad arrived in iront Of the rebel works at
Wiliilmsbureh. Tlis We did about o'clock r.
~, although VIC were much fitigued by our hard
days work. is cur Brigade in the advance
the previous day were held in reserve on Mon
day,-the day Of the battle. /, vas a very I'M
pleasant day as the rain poured in torrents all day.
The battle commenced early, and at intervals
rlecd fcr;ely until a little after noon orders
came f6r cur BIisaae to march t. the left q Gcu'
II COOKERS division wac Icing IeFulsed. We we're
not needed however, and sler, On cur srms near
the battle field. We tsd beard hut very little
Of the result Il the battle until Just
daIh, when Capt. Reed Of Gen. Brooks ,tad rode
through cur lire. and gave Us the welcome intel
lieence that Gen Hancock had rerulscd 'be enemy
at tie point If the bsyo- ct. We were tired and
'rsf but such cheers never we're heard arose FROM
the threats Of The Yankee soldiers. Gen Mcclellan
arrived on the ground JUS, before night and was
| greeted by rousing ehcers. The Prime dc Join
vile was 81 amusin: sight as bis old fur cat
| (ke wears enc as large as tushd tsskeD was
Their usLly soaked, rsmainiiug one f drowned
rat.
Early tuesday morning NC moved to the right
to Join Gen. Hancock. never saw such q sishi
as there net r.y cy,s. o5er hurdred Of TIE
Isb,l voundcd hsI teon collected inside Of the
enemy. works. AMI there they lay hudIei to-
ee;her. Il ba. raiuei 6 c1li, chilling rain all
night, and they were obliged 70 lie upon the
ground where they fell. without blankets CT fEes
through that long dismal night. Our boys treated
them very kindly hull, hrss for them dried their
clothes and covered then Wiih their blankets
They expressed much surprise a. such treatment
as they have been led to expect the contrary from
YANKEE saysges." /, Va, strange -ish,--our
men caring co tsndssly far those with whom
only few hours before tbsy we're engaged II
conflict
We stoIrel noarW illiamstursh until Fuday vael
we started bright and EARL for Hiobmand Our route
lay through a very level ye; pleasant country
We passed some spier dii farm- tut We were rushe.
on too h,st to erj . anything cut a rest now au-
/ then. We marched come fGeen miles. and stop
ped fer The nj ght n,s5 eiump Of houses cilie.
Burnt Ordinary. Yesterday we advanced
abaa, twelve miles. Il was very warm and dusty
which rendered tae march tircsorc, especially tC
| the new recruits who have jus, commenced th'
saiiirr's lie. To DAY has been to u, really daJ
| Of rest. and has scrnci more like the sabbath
/ than any previous one since We lef, Camp Griffin.
/ We had religion. services at noon, and now while
| l am writing We are enjoying some excellent uu
| SIC from the band of the 81 Vermont, one of the
/ fae.t in the army. While we were a. work be-
! fore YorktoEn all musi, was dispensed with. sns
! We could My Lear the soc-sh bands playing Drn
| (poor musi, it vIs) 90 tha, music is welcome nov
Very strict orders lave been read to the army
AMI one committing depreda,ions isto be kept
in iron. until attended 20 by the proper author.
tie.